Replanting steep grass hill to avoid mowing

[Conndog]

Hi, we have a steep hill that always makes me nervous cutting it with our zero turn. My wife is adamant about not trying to mow on a hill, so alternative is to use 21" self-propel Honda, which takes time and is pain in the butt. Our zero turn is 52". Thinking about replanting it with something like vinca or similar that won't have to be mowed, maybe wild flowers even, but not sure what to do about the grass there now. I think you have to kill the grass, but it's a pretty big area- don't want to use Roundup, and the size prevents covering with black plastic (also takes long time?). Can it just be rototilled and then the replacement plants can go into ground? Thanks for ideas,

 

[Waquoit]

I'm thinking some folks in this thread have been lucky to escape serious injury,

 

[don356]

If it's a full sun exposure, the oriental/native grasses will spread fairly quickly, but typically have to be cutback annually in early Spring or eventually they develop problems. This is what they use in a lot of highway construction applications(crown vetch). I'd consult a landscaper about seeding it, but I believe if you start it in a few areas it will eventually take over the existing grass.

Crown Vetch: Use with Caution - Dave's Garden

Brought from Europe to North America in the 1950s, crown vetch quickly outlived its welcome. The aggressive plant is fairly attractive, and performs well as ground cover, but use it with care.

davesgarden.com

 

[jake14mw]

Hi, we have a steep hill that always makes me nervous cutting it with our zero turn. My wife is adamant about not trying to mow on a hill, so alternative is to use 21" self-propel Honda, which takes time and is pain in the butt. Our zero turn is 52". Thinking about replanting it with something like vinca or similar that won't have to be mowed, maybe wild flowers even, but not sure what to do about the grass there now. I think you have to kill the grass, but it's a pretty big area- don't want to use Roundup, and the size prevents covering with black plastic (also takes long time?). Can it just be rototilled and then the replacement plants can go into ground? Thanks for ideas,

Well @Conndog , what did you do? Let's see the hill today!

 

[HooperScooper]

Well @Conndog , what did you do? Let's see the hill today!

I'm curious, what would make you think of this thread 4 years later? And how did you find it?

 

[VanDunk]

Hi, we have a steep hill that always makes me nervous cutting it with our zero turn. My wife is adamant about not trying to mow on a hill, so alternative is to use 21" self-propel Honda, which takes time and is pain in the butt. Our zero turn is 52". Thinking about replanting it with something like vinca or similar that won't have to be mowed, maybe wild flowers even, but not sure what to do about the grass there now. I think you have to kill the grass, but it's a pretty big area- don't want to use Roundup, and the size prevents covering with black plastic (also takes long time?). Can it just be rototilled and then the replacement plants can go into ground? Thanks for ideas,

You don’t need to kill the grass. Here in the UK we scatter Yellow Rattle seeds. They suppress grass growth and are often planted alongside wildflower seeds in order to let them take over.

What Is Yellow Rattle (Rhinanthus Minor)? - Wild Garden Expert

Uncover the mystery of Yellow Rattle (Rhinanthus Minor)! Learn about this intriguing wildflower and its role in creating vibrant meadows.

wildgardenexpert.com

 

[jake14mw]

I'm curious, what would make you think of this thread 4 years later? And how did you find it?

I just made a mental note at the time in 2021 to check back in four years, my brain is slipping a little, I was two days late!



And if you believe that, I've got some more to tell you... mental notes don't work for four minutes with me! I had done a search on grass and it came up.

 

[Dove]

cheez and crackers man, the easiest thing to do is nothing. starting this season, new stuff will start popping up on its' own, and in a season or two, u'll have quite the lovely appearance of 'landscape au natural.' one step up on the do nothing spectrum is to plop a few rose of sharons in there, and by the time u turn around, they'll have spread like weeds, leaving you with a sea of gorgeous flowers for years to come, iffn there is some sun on there.
signed, sam clemens, 'the laziest man alive.' or dead, in his case.

This post makes me sad.

 

[Dove]

I'm curious, what would make you think of this thread 4 years later? And how did you find it?

Some people use the Yard like its "Ask Jeeves."

 

[Conndog]

Well @Conndog , what did you do? Let's see the hill today!

I haven’t done anything! I still mow it, and maybe I’ll get to it yet, but we are finally finishing our house remodel- that has to be the focus for now. We finished all the infrastructure projects & now it’s kitchen, main bathroom, paint house and landscaping. I may have to un-retire to afford this, and tariffs are going to make things more expensive- sigh-