Steep Hillside Makeover: Railroad Ties Out, Boulders & Plants In

Steep hill to driveway/lake. Existing: railroad ties, steps, plants. Want: boulders, plants, grass, fence at top for safety. Concerns: erosion, mowing, boulder placement.

Grass on Steep Slopes = Bad Idea

• Mowing limit: 8% slope (12:1) walk-behind; 5% (20:1) rider.
• Your hill >25% → cannot mow safely.
• Fence at top + grass below = liability magnet.

Better Slope Plants (Region-Dependent)

• Juniper (spreading)
• Sedges (Carex)
• Clumping grasses (Festuca, Schizachyrium)
• Trailing ivy (shade)
• Gazania / African daisy (sun)
• Shrub roses / Daylilies
• Avoid: Ice plant, blackberries, willows.

Boulders on Existing Slope

Hard. Crane during construction = easy. After? Skid steer + skilled operator, or block/terrace first, then place rock.

Resources

• Las Pilitas slope guide
• Hume Seeds hillside planting

Remove ties. Terrace. Plant. Fence. Skip the grass.