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Steep Back Garden

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  • 06-01-2011 2:52am
    #1
    tedd29
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3 ✭


    hi, i recently bought a house which has a nice garden out the back, the problem is, theres a really steep slope which i really dont fancy mowing as it could be a total nightmare, so Im looking to do something low maintenance with it, was thinking about using mulch, which seems like a good option. Would anyone have any experience with this or any other suggestions for it? thanks a million, Ted


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    #2
    mountainy man
    Registered Users Posts: 985 ✭✭✭mountainy man


    Hi ted29, we would need to know a few things about the area like the direction it faces, in shade or sun , soil type, wet or dry. with some more info i am sure you would get more suggestions:).


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    #3
    THE LINK WALSH
    Registered Users Posts: 95 ✭✭THE LINK WALSH


    tedd29 wrote: »
    hi, i recently bought a house which has a nice garden out the back, the problem is, theres a really steep slope which i really dont fancy mowing as it could be a total nightmare, so Im looking to do something low maintenance with it, was thinking about using mulch, which seems like a good option. Would anyone have any experience with this or any other suggestions for it? thanks a million, Ted

    How big is this area?,you could plant a blast of ground cover but if its too big an area that wont look right,if yer thinking of mowing it yer going to need a diesel engined machine for the job,the lack of an oil pump in most petrol engined mowers means they wont be suitable for use on steep slopes.Also bark mulch,dont do it its only going to breed weeds and dirt no matter how much you keep it topped up at considerable expense and hassle,pebbles are a better job.


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    #4
    tedd29
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3 ✭tedd29


    Hi, thanks for the suggestions mountainy man, its a west facing garden, it is pretty shaded. i have no idea what type of soil it is unfortunately, gardening is not my strong point! how would i find that out?
    The link; pebbles sound like a great idea actually. Where would i get them do you know? Same places as sell the mulch i suppose?


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    #5
    THE LINK WALSH
    Registered Users Posts: 95 ✭✭THE LINK WALSH


    tedd29 wrote: »
    Hi, thanks for the suggestions mountainy man, its a west facing garden, it is pretty shaded. i have no idea what type of soil it is unfortunately, gardening is not my strong point! how would i find that out?
    The link; pebbles sound like a great idea actually. Where would i get them do you know? Same places as sell the mulch i suppose?[/QUOTE]

    Be careful not to be conned when buying the pebbles,its washed pebbles you will be looking for,price a few different quarries nearby or maybe a wholesale sand and gravel place,i havent bought them for a good while but you should buy 15 or 16 tonnes delivered for around €200 or so.


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    #6
    kylith
    Registered Users Posts: 17,736 ✭✭✭✭kylith


    My brother's garden is on a slope, so he's planted it with clover. It makes a lovely, mow-free, lawn that's also good for the bees.


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    #7
    casey junior
    Registered Users Posts: 103 ✭✭casey junior


    A steep slope with pebbles? What will Gravity say?


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    #8
    looksee
    Registered Users Posts: 28,437 ✭✭✭✭looksee


    Totally agree about the pebbles/gravity situation. Also when it rains you are likely to get little waterfalls forming and anything loose will end up at the bottom of the garden.

    Its a lot of work initially, but would you consider terracing it? We had a very steeply sloping garden that we divided into about 4 slightly sloping terraces with block walls (with plants hanging over) holding up two terraces and a rockery on another. We were able to grow veg at the top where there was some reasonable soil, one of the terraces was paved (level) and the rest was grassed.


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    #9
    casey junior
    Registered Users Posts: 103 ✭✭casey junior


    looksee wrote: »
    Totally agree about the pebbles/gravity situation. Also when it rains you are likely to get little waterfalls forming and anything loose will end up at the bottom of the garden.

    Its a lot of work initially, but would you consider terracing it? We had a very steeply sloping garden that we divided into about 4 slightly sloping terraces with block walls (with plants hanging over) holding up two terraces and a rockery on another. We were able to grow veg at the top where there was some reasonable soil, one of the terraces was paved (level) and the rest was grassed.

    A man after my own heart, please put up a photo, it sounds delightful.


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    #10
    diarmuid05
    Registered Users Posts: 453 ✭✭diarmuid05


    looksee wrote: »

    Its a lot of work initially, but would you consider terracing it? We had a very steeply sloping garden that we divided into about 4 slightly sloping terraces with block walls (with plants hanging over) holding up two terraces and a rockery on another. We were able to grow veg at the top where there was some reasonable soil, one of the terraces was paved (level) and the rest was grassed.

    Would also love to see some pics of this. I'm currently in the process of terracing my steeply sloping back garden. Lots of work but hopefully will be worth it :)


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