A Spectacular Spring

Water Management Tips On A Slope

1 March 2017 by Terri Holmes

If your yard has a hill or a slope, you likely have encountered issues with providing enough moisture to the grass or landscape plants at the top of the slope. The problem is due to simple drainage – water flows downhill, which means it's constantly flowing away from the plants that are growing in this very exposed area. Fortunately, there are ways to counteract the issue, as the following tips will show.

Tip #1: Add terraces

Terraces are an age old technique for stabilizing a hill and managing runoff. The simplest method uses attractive retaining walls to create "steps" down the slope. This helps with water management because the soil within each of these steps is relatively level, so water trickles downward much more slowly then when it was simply running down a slope. Terraces can also be easier to maintain, since the ground within each retaining wall is level so there is no need to mow on a slope.

Tip #2: Switch to sub-irrigation

Overhead sprinklers don't work as well on a slope, since the water often runs off the surface before it has a chance to soak to plant roots. You can counteract this by installing a sub-irrigation system. These are sprinkler lines installed beneath the turf. The sprinkler installer will remove the sod and then lay a grid work of PVC drip lines, which are specially made for sub-surface installation. The sod is then replaced. When the sprinklers are on, the water bubbles up and provides moisture directly to the roots so the plants can absorb it before it runs down the slope.

Tip #3: Plant low-water plants

Plant choice can also help manage the lower water conditions on your hill. Consider growing a deep-rooted, drought tolerant tree, such as an oak or desert pine species. Not only will this provide shade, which helps prevent evaporative water loss, but the deep roots help stabilize the slope. Beneath the tree you can grow small shrubs like sage or rosemary or a groundcover like cotoneaster or creeping juniper. These can typically get sufficient water from a few drip irrigation lines run from your sprinkler system. If there is bare soil between plants and you don't want to use a groundcover, then mulch the area with shredded bark or gravel mulch to help minimize water loss.

For more help in watering this tricky landscape area, talk to a sprinkler installation contractor like Wagner SOD Company in your area.

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