slope ideas?

[Bill1031]

Finally getting started building my new 32x24 garage. My first problem was finding a good contractor. Funny thing is that another companys reference gave me the name of someone else that is now doing the job. Since my property does not have one level spot, I had to bring in alot of fill dirt. Things are now progressing but am thinking about the slope to rear and back side. Considering Hydroseeding. The front will have a slope to the building but not very steep. Maybe a small retaining wall with shrubs next to building. Any suggestions? Thanks Bill

 

[NUTTSGT]

Since there's not much room between you new place and the slope, I'd try to get some grass seed down as soon as possible.

 

[ABADWILLYS]

that looks like clay?

 

[Bill1031]

Yep, good ole Virginia red clay!

 

[Kevin54]

Get some annual ryegrass seed and mix it in with your good seed. The rye will come up quick and help hold things together for the other grass to come up. I'd also cover it with straw, not to just help to hold moisture, but it will also help somewhat when it rains to shed off some of the water and keep from washing everything down hill.

 

[Gary S]

I thought dirt was supposed to be black.

 

[Jagmandave]

I think you'll still get pretty good erosion if you get a good heavy thunderstorm with that much slope, can you put some more fill in there and lessen the slope any by extending it? I know it takes a lot of dirt to do that, but it might be worth it, otherwise you might be be backfilling it over the years. Pay me now or pay me later?

 

[Red05GT]

Are you going to mow that slope? If so think sod. If not how about ground cover, ivy or
something maintenance free.

 

[Bill1031]

The only black dirt I have is in a bag in the shed! As far as more fill... My back yard continues to slope down to a valley. There was a slope there before 30+ truck loads of fill and am sure there will always be a slope. I was thinking buffalo grass or the hydro. Possibly that zoysia grass. Wife does not like the brown in winter and spring. Will also need to do something with run off on the side facing road. I may just get a professional to take a look and see what that will run. Thanks bill

 

[rsanter]

For me slope is too close to the shop
Scares me
I would do a 2 or 3 step retaining wall and plant that area for root binding

Bob

 

[Ray916MN]

You might want to look at some kind of no maintenance ground cover like Kudzu. You don't want anything that will allow anything else to grow and you don't want to have to mow a steep slope.

 

[Bill1031]

I used to mow the slope before with my 4wd tractor. Now with the back being a lot tighter to a very steep slope. (just beyond tree line ) I do not want to mow either area. I looked up the Kudzu but that looks like it could take over the woods if I let it. I am thinking more of heavy grasses, like the buffalo that grows about 6in and tends to fall over. I appreciate the suggestions and have sent a couple emails to people in my area that do the Hydroseed. That may be what I have to do just to get started as soon as the building is up. Then I can overseed once the ground is sort of stabilized. My building will have gutters and that water will be routed down the hills and into woods by drain pipe.

 

[Kevin54]

I used to mow the slope before with my 4wd tractor. Now with the back being a lot tighter to a very steep slope. (just beyond tree line ) I do not want to mow either area. I looked up the Kudzu but that looks like it could take over the woods if I let it. I am thinking more of heavy grasses, like the buffalo that grows about 6in and tends to fall over. I appreciate the suggestions and have sent a couple emails to people in my area that do the Hydroseed. That may be what I have to do just to get started as soon as the building is up. Then I can overseed once the ground is sort of stabilized. My building will have gutters and that water will be routed down the hills and into woods by drain pipe.

You don't want to plant Kudzu. I don't even know if you would be ALLOWED to plant Kudzu as it is VERY invasive. You could plant Crownvetch, which is a low growing groundcover.

As far as Hydroseeding, you're not going to get anything instant using that. All Hydroseeding is comprised of is ground up paper products, a little fertilizer, wrapped around grass seeds. You may gain a week or two as far as having grass, but if you get a rain, you'll lose it just as easy as seed. There is not much as far as instant cure that you will get, unless like was suggested, steeping down the slope with different height tiers.

 

[TruckJunkie]

I would have to assume there are soil erosion standards for your area from the building department. You will probably want to put down a mechanical ground cover of purpose designed erosion mats to hold the soil in place until new plants can take hold. Terracing the slope would also probably be a good idea to minimize the velocity of water going downhill. Several rows of Silt fence would even be better than nothing. Your contractor should have experience in slope stabilization if they work in your area and are familiar with your soil and terrain. Without some serious stabilization efforts, I can easily envision your new building being seriously undermined by erosion.

 

[Crawlin]

seed it with creeping red fescue which will do well in VA and if its shady. Mix in some rye because red fescue take 3 weeks to start. Go to southern states and buy a couple rolls of Curlex brand erosion control mat, and put it down after you seed using metal sod staples. The red fescue is slow growing and will not require mowing or weed eating. I do grading/excavating in NC and deal with erosion control alot and the curled blankets are the way to go. About 40 bucks for a 8'x100' roll. Im sure you have seen the DOT use them. You can also seed over top of them or hydroseed and then use the mat. the mat helps with erosion until the grass grows and it eventually biodegrades.

 

[Bill1031]

The inspector was out Friday and did not say anything about the slope even though he looked at it. He suggested a silt fence on the back side only because it was going to rain today. No fencing was required if 200ft from stream or creek. Having a call Monday from a landscaper that does this type of work. See what he suggests. The crown vetch looked good but it says deer like it and I already have issues with deer eating my wifes plants. Found one called ajuga that deer will leave alone and it can be walked on. First I am going to put something down for erosion before plants can get started. I have done some reading on the hydroseeding and I think it looks promising. You can put whatever seed into the mix you like and the mix dries and no straw or matting is required after it dries. I am not in a total rush because they will be working for a couple more weeks on building and I asked about the grade. They said they will not leave till I am satisfied. Bill

 

[KEH]

I'm in SC. We have Kudzu. Don't plant it, future generations will hate you if you do. Anyway, I don't think that much of it's erosion control capabilities in that situation.

Kentucky 31 Fescue will hold the soil if you get it established, but get local advice about it. Looks like you will need about 200 pounds of fertilizer, 17-17-17, and 100 pounds of lime. The pelletized kind is easier to spread, but the finely ground type is supposed to act quicker and last longer. I'm guessing 25 pounds of seed. The grass you already have looks fine. I'm not sure how you plan to avoid mowing the area, maybe you could use a weedeater once or twice a year on that slope.

KEH

 

[jwhcars]

You could tier the slope by driving poles into slope like they do at docks.

 

[Big Bad Dad]

Did you remove the grass and topsoil before laying down the clay fill material? And was the clay properly compacted at the area of the building pad? (From your pics, it doesn't look like it to me.) You will probably have settlement issues in the future, and cracking concrete if you build over topsoil and uncompacted fill.
Good luck with your project.

 

[darkk]

You might want to look at some kind of no maintenance ground cover like Kudzu. You don't want anything that will allow anything else to grow and you don't want to have to mow a steep slope.

Anyone that seriously considers planting Kudzo on purpose should be ostrasized.......plant Kudzo? Really?

 

[Bill1031]

WOW! Lots of opinions! First the Kudzu is OUT! Read about it and sound like a real mess to deal with. I like Crawlin's Idea and will stop by Southern States today and take a look.
Big Bad Dad, They told me they compacted every truck load and I saw the footers before the inspector looked and they look real solid on sides all the way down. (They must be 8ft deep) They went down into the old existing ground below the fill. Yes the grass was removed. They are going to lay that on top also when the building is up. I will talk to the Hydro guy today. thanks again. Bill

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'm too cheap to pay for hydro seeding, I'd rather put that money elsewhere.

I like to put out my grass seed by hand and I put it down thick. After it's down, a nice layer of straw will help keep it in place, shade it from the hot sun and keep the moisture in the ground. Once I did that, since it's slope, I'd put some netting down to hold it all in place.

 

[pepi]

First the Kudzu is OUT! .. Now thats funny, we have a chopper pilot that flies over Atlanta and gives a Kudzu report from spring to winter as it covers the city.

Probably the funniest news story came out of Tenn. This reporter was interviewing some guy that was selling fried Kudzu, road side. Well, he's yacking about the great taste and health benefits, of course anything people sell is good for your health and makes you younger. The reporter finally ask the guy do you eat Kudzu? ............. His answer is no he is allergic to it ...... ROTF what hype!

Just a note about covering grass seed with straw, it will promote growth, however you better make sure you remove it when the seeds germinate ....... Otherwise you can count on having a straw field that will out grow the grass.

 

[theoldwizard1]

You don't want to plant Kudzu. I don't even know if you would be ALLOWED to plant Kudzu as it is VERY invasive. You could plant Crownvetch, which is a low growing groundcover.

Years ago they planted Kudzu on some slopes in NW NC. That stuff grows so fast it is crazy. Not only did it grow down slope, but it grew up slope and on to the roads. Now the have to cut it back several times a year or cars and trucks will slip when they drive over it.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Get some annual ryegrass seed and mix it in with your good seed.

And make sure the bag is label ANNUAL rye !

I reseed my lawn a couple of years ago. Mixed in about 10% annual rye with my bluegrass. Was I PISSED when the rye came up the following spring. I had to pull it out by hand !

 

[NUTTSGT]

Just a note about covering grass seed with straw, it will promote growth, however you better make sure you remove it when the seeds germinate ....... Otherwise you can count on having a straw field that will out grow the grass.

LOL, you won't have a straw field but you might have a few stalks of wheat growing. Finding a full wheat head in a bale of straw is rare not something to worry about as straw is a by product of growing wheat.

 

[theoldwizard1]

For me slope is too close to the shop
Scares me.

I agree !

But your going to have to go 4+' below grade to put in a footing that is going to hold ! And don't forget drainage around/through the wall. Regularly space deadmans are a good idea also.

 

[Kevin54]

First the Kudzu is OUT! .. Now thats funny, we have a chopper pilot that flies over Atlanta and gives a Kudzu report from spring to winter as it covers the city.

Probably the funniest news story came out of Tenn. This reporter was interviewing some guy that was selling fried Kudzu, road side. Well, he's yacking about the great taste and health benefits, of course anything people sell is good for your health and makes you younger. The reporter finally ask the guy do you eat Kudzu? ............. His answer is no he is allergic to it ...... ROTF what hype!

Just a note about covering grass seed with straw, it will promote growth, however you better make sure you remove it when the seeds germinate ....... Otherwise you can count on having a straw field that will out grow the grass.

Would it be safe to assume that you live in the city and have never saw anyone combine wheat? And if you put straw down and it started to grow, someone sold you a few bales of ****** hay

Years ago they planted Kudzu on some slopes in NW NC. That stuff grows so fast it is crazy. Not only did it grow down slope, but it grew up slope and on to the roads. Now the have to cut it back several times a year or cars and trucks will slip when they drive over it.

I remember quite a few years back when it first became a problem and the documentary on it said it grew something like 10' or more per night? I remember seeing it totally covering houses, roads, climbing up telephone poles and along the wires causing problems. But wasn't it originally brought in from Japan as a cure for erosion problems? Thankfully we don't have it up here. The United States have screwed up a few times importing stuff in from other countries. The English Sparrow is another one of our educated screwups.

 

[Herb]

Too bad you spent all that time and money filling in your property. I had a similar situation and decided to just have a basement under my garage. It really didn't cost that much more than all the fill and partial concrete walls, and now I have two extra parking/ junk collecting areas and I don't have to worry about the fill settling over time.

 

[Riverside]

You might also look into Weeping Lovegrass (available at Southern States). It is recommended for slopes in my area. It gets 1-2' tall, which may not be what you want. Like others have said, annual rye is good for quick, short-term coverage.

 

[Bill1031]

Another update: Talked to the professional today and will meet next Sat. Discussed the red fescue or red crawler as he called it and the annual rye for the long slope in the rear of yard. On the back that will never be seen again or the steepest slope towards the leland cypress will be same but some crown vetch mixed in. He said it will show the first year but by the third it will be well established. Also talking about a french drain or something towards the road side by building with shrubs and flowers/mulch that side. I will put the erosion cover over the hydroseed for stabilization. Priced at 33.00 a roll at Souther States. I know all this sounds expensive and it may very well be but I will not find out till Sat. I want to make sure that I get the outside all complete and ground stabilized before I start on the inside. I will post some pictures as the project continues.

Too bad you spent all that time and money filling in your property. I had a similar situation and decided to just have a basement under my garage. It really didn't cost that much more than all the fill and partial concrete walls,

I looked into this a couple years ago and I would have had to move building around to left. (Not enough room behind building to enter. Drops down a large hill that is still a slope and only 20ft of that is mine before the neighbors property) Also when the other guy mentioned this the cost of steel beams and concrete made the cost 3 times what this one is. Lastly the dirt is free. Trucking is 100.00 a load. My house, driveway parking, patio etc is all fill. My property is approx 5ac+ and drops from road to rear 150ft. I don't expect the flatlanders to understand. Thanks Bill

 

[Big Bad Dad]

Flatlanders? What part of Va. are you in? I have 2 acres and nothing naturally level in Botetourt County! LOL

 

[Bill1031]

BBD, Bedford, Close to SML

 

[Old Moparz]

What about placing a layer of stone on the slope?

 

[theoldwizard1]

I remember quite a few years back when it (kudzu) first became a problem and the documentary on it said it grew something like 10' or more per night? I remember seeing it totally covering houses, roads, climbing up telephone poles and along the wires causing problems. But wasn't it originally brought in from Japan as a cure for erosion problems? Thankfully we don't have it up here.

Yep, I have seen all of that of the south side of the Smokies.

According to Wikipedia it is only in the Southeast, south of the Ohio River.

 

[Bruce4310TX]

i think a retaining wall would be the answer i think that wall should be about 4 feet away not on the edge. hopefully they used compaction equipment and not driving over it if thats the case expect at least 4% settlement. Get with that neighbor and dump more dirt to lessen the slope and put it a multi tiered wall

 

[Bill1031]

Thought I would follow up with updated pictures of garage and the conversation with the landscaper. The downspouts will be taped into hard pipe and trenched into hill and taken all the way out to the woods away from the slope. Will be regraded slightly to get rid of big clumps and rocks. At this point we are talking the hydroseeding and using annual rye, red fescue with either the crown vetch and or ajuga (chocolate chip)(wifes call). On the right side it will be regraded to move water from driveway to grassy area to right of drive and down hill before garage. There will be a swell that will divert water and larger plants will be planted next to right side of garage. I have looked around and have seen a lot more slopes steeper than mine done this way without the terracing work some have said. I think this has more to do with clay vs other soils. Just thought I would post these pics as the building progresses. Bill