New here. Ideas for what to plant on steep banks?

[FunkadelicFarm]

We bought a nice, older farmhouse on nearly 4 acres in Western NC almost 1 year ago and have taken some great steps towards our homesteading and self-sufficiency minded goals. One of the great challenges around these parts is working with the slopes of the mountains and trying to make them work for you.

Photos posted below. We have 3 or 4 banks (fairly steep to most) that were all, at some point in the last 60 yrs, a direct result of someone else grading the land above or below it to suit their needs for a little bit of flat space (homesite, barn site, flat yard space.) Some of it has been seeded with thick, fast growing grass "nicer" than some of our flat yard grass….Who would do this and want to maintain that is beyond me! The rest of it is various weeds, wild grasses, etc that has developed over time.

Bottom line, I find it completely ridiculous and a losing battle to weed-eat super steep banks on a regular basis. Not only is it strenuous, somewhat dangerous (and I'm pretty fit and do plenty of other steep slope work) and time consuming, but also it's just burning $$ from my pocket for the extra fuel (and time lost.) So, I pretty much don't do it, but bc of that there are tons of extra gnats, bugs, ticks, snakes ?, etc and it kinda looks like crap looking in on our property.

I basically want to hear of any and all plant/permaculture suggestions and advice that are feasible from a no heavy equipment point of view, even if it takes no small amount time to execute.

The slopes are nearly due south facing and this part of our property where they are all located is nearly at the bottom (near creek) of a good-sized ridge/mountain ascent in terms of water runoff and drainage purposes.

We have done no soil testing in any of these areas yet, but will likely do that soon just to know what we're starting with.

I want to eventually turn our banks into a place that 1) I don't have to mow/weed-eat 2) doesn't cost me continuous money (or can even save or make us some $) 3) looks decent (better than overgrown grass and various wild weeds) 4) ties into the other homesteading things that we are doing or plan to do. We currently raise hogs, ducks, small children, various herbs, and have a couple of small but flat (food) garden spaces we're working on expanding.

Thanks for any suggestions! Great site here!

P.S. I thought I added my hardiness climate zone to profile, but it's not showing up under my username like I've seen for some folks. We are in zone 6A.

[Seth]

I'd like to see the pics, but my first thought is cutting step-like terraces into the banks and using the flat spaces for veggies etc. South facing slopes may work well for that. Anywhere near Fairveiw?

[FunkadelicFarm]

Yeah, terraces are definitely one main thought we've had. Pretty steep slopes, though, which would take quite a bit of digging and bracing. The walls would have to be fairly tall to have a garden bed of any real size worth doing (maybe 2-3' total height, which is a lot of material and bracing (whether it be wood or stone.)

I do have access to a bandsaw mill as part of one of my jobs, but I wouldn't want to put anything in the ground except locust if I were to go thru all the trouble of terracing. Locust that is fit for timbers can be hard to come by, but certainly a possibility if it were spread out over time…little here, a little more there.

We are west of Boone, very close to Watauga River and sorta close to Watauga Lake. Thanks for the reply!

[gweny]

Lots of sun, well drained, and rocky.... Sounds like those hills are just begging to be covered in the low ground blueberries to me! Could also be decent goat pasture if you can manage to fence it?

[davel745]

up here we call terraces, benches I did it on my land and let it come back to whatever will grow, the benches are good and haven't eroded at all.

[COWS]

Don't plant kudzu.

Sounds like one of the banks has fescue. You shouldn't have to mow it but once in the spring and once in the late fall.

You could spray and kill everything and put down some of the slow growing turf grass, but that would be expensive and eventually it would spread into areas you don't want.

Maybe fence in the banks withj an electric fence and put goats on them? Lot of work totake care of them.

COWS

[Dixie Bee Acres]

I too, was thinking of terraces. Though, you might try mellons or pumpkins.

[Alice In TX/MO]

I have a steep hump of bare dirt over a storm shelter. Need something there that doesn't have to be mowed!!

[Rita]

I vote for ajuga, low-growing, hardy and the bees love the flowers when and if they bloom. No commercial value except to maybe sell starts. we have steep banks and it grows well in very bad soil. We have the kind with purple/pinkish leaves and it's very pretty.

[FunkadelicFarm]

Pics added

[newfieannie]

that's pretty much the way it is on this street. they have it planted in grass like you say and pay for maintenance. mine is the only one planted with flowers and whatnot. takes a lot of work though but i'm able and love it. wish I could get at that. perfect spot for a rock garden. i'll try to get a pic after the sun gets out of the way. mine is not a true rock garden. more like a smorgasboard! works for me ~Georgia.

[Seth]

Funk, there's a way to step/terrace without retaining walls or structures. It takes a little time and a good equipment operator, but it's very doable and fairly inexpensive. Seth

[newfieannie]

bit dark but the best I can do right now. this hill is as steep or steeper than the one the house is overlooking. I see you have a few bushes. it could all be incorporated in . mine goes right to the street also. just an idea. I still have the mulch left to do on mine. ~Georgia.

[michael ark]

I would look at building wall out of old tires like they do with earthships.I would also plant herbs that way they can pull double duty.

[TnAndy]

If you don't want to grow food, Blue Rug junipers.

[chickenista]

Where in NC??
And welcome!!

[Tabitha]

How much do you want to work? I would consider crown vetch.

[Qminator]

If you like mint, it spreads everywhere and very quickly, very good bee/insectary plant, and can become a cash crop when you decide you're done letting it go rampant. You can use the numerous rocks to create a rhizome barrier, if you wish.

Edit: Makes awesome tea too!

[newfieannie]

now that's an idea. mint! I'm constantly digging up the mint and giving it away because it spreads where I don't want it to be. I have apple mint here in the city. out in the country I have a quarter acre of chocolate mint from just a tiny plant years ago. never thought of the cash crop. just a small pot is selling for 4 something now. as someone else said spreading juniper would be good. I have that on a bank with a few bulbs for color. ~Georgia.

[geo in mi]

Common daylilies?

geo