Edible erosion control - Ask Extension
I have a west-facing slope at the back of my yard that needs some erosion control. I'll like to use some, or mostly edible perennials, if possible, an...
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Edible erosion control #867226
Asked May 06, 2024, 12:15 PM EDT
I have a west-facing slope at the back of my yard that needs some erosion control. I'll like to use some, or mostly edible perennials, if possible, and, since it touches 2 other yards and there is a neighbors fence on the north side and at the top of it before it slopes on the east, something that isn't too challenging to manage the spread, if those types of plants are recommended. I think it's about 20% grade and doesn't take up much space, so it might be challenging to terrace and I'd prefer to keep costs down as much as possible.
Any ideas?
Ramsey County Minnesota
Expert Response
Thank you for writing.
Could you send me a cell phone picture. I need to see area and shade placement through the day.
Could you send me a cell phone picture. I need to see area and shade placement through the day.
Thank you for writing.
I do not understand the direction of that photo. If your house is the white one, it is hard to make the shadows work for a noon picture today. Give me a google Sat view of your property. And, aligning your camera to point straight east, west, south, north, (use its compass) send me a time of day and direction you are pointing and tell me what color your house is in the picture.
Does this property run down to a waterway?
Terracing would be pricey. A rain garden might work but I need to understand this lot better.
I do not understand the direction of that photo. If your house is the white one, it is hard to make the shadows work for a noon picture today. Give me a google Sat view of your property. And, aligning your camera to point straight east, west, south, north, (use its compass) send me a time of day and direction you are pointing and tell me what color your house is in the picture.
Does this property run down to a waterway?
Terracing would be pricey. A rain garden might work but I need to understand this lot better.
Facing mostly north. 11:08 am
Sent from my iPhone
Sent from my iPhone
On May 6, 2024, at 12:27 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Google Satelite view: the purple is the fence. The slope starts at the purple and goes left.
This photo faces directly east. My home is not visible as I am taking it from my home. The fence it the photo aligns with the purple line on the satelite image
The photo was take. At 11:30am
Sent from my iPhone
Sent from my iPhone
On May 6, 2024, at 12:27 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
That is a gorgeous piece of property.
You will have to be thoughtful about sun/shade as you do the planting. Raspberries and strawberries need sun. Blue berries are woodsy plants and tolerate moderate shade. Strawberries do well in containers; shrubs do not.
Fruit trees: apples, pears, work. There is a MN kiwi too https://extension.umn.edu/fruit/growing-stone-fruits-home-garden https://extension.umn.edu/find-plants/fruit All of these require sun. Now, if those trees are Ash, there is a very high probability that they will succumb to Ash Borer. You should inspect them carefully and plan accordinglyl.
Here are a couple of general sources.
https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-news/edible-gardens-people-and-pollinators
https://www.aldmn.com/edible-landscapes-for-minnesota
This is a more exotic list. https://www.projectnoah.org/missions/19004093
Down by the creek, you might consider grasses for erosion control. Considering that you are on a waterway, you should contact https://extension.umn.edu/local/ramsey and see if they have ideas for you.
You might want to consider a consultation with a landscaper on this complex, multiyear project. MetroBlooms.org can help you find one. Wait until mid-summer to hire, they are booked up now. Best of luck. It is a fantastic project.
You will have to be thoughtful about sun/shade as you do the planting. Raspberries and strawberries need sun. Blue berries are woodsy plants and tolerate moderate shade. Strawberries do well in containers; shrubs do not.
Fruit trees: apples, pears, work. There is a MN kiwi too https://extension.umn.edu/fruit/growing-stone-fruits-home-garden https://extension.umn.edu/find-plants/fruit All of these require sun. Now, if those trees are Ash, there is a very high probability that they will succumb to Ash Borer. You should inspect them carefully and plan accordinglyl.
Here are a couple of general sources.
https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-news/edible-gardens-people-and-pollinators
https://www.aldmn.com/edible-landscapes-for-minnesota
This is a more exotic list. https://www.projectnoah.org/missions/19004093
Down by the creek, you might consider grasses for erosion control. Considering that you are on a waterway, you should contact https://extension.umn.edu/local/ramsey and see if they have ideas for you.
You might want to consider a consultation with a landscaper on this complex, multiyear project. MetroBlooms.org can help you find one. Wait until mid-summer to hire, they are booked up now. Best of luck. It is a fantastic project.
