Convert Sloped Yard to Prairie - Ask Extension
Hello! I live in a neighborhood in Minneapolis, and we're planning to convert a portion of the front yard to native prairie. The front yard is mostly ...
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Convert Sloped Yard to Prairie #868320
Asked May 13, 2024, 11:04 PM EDT
Hello! I live in a neighborhood in Minneapolis, and we're planning to convert a portion of the front yard to native prairie. The front yard is mostly flat, full sun, with dry soil. We don't have many noxious weeds, so we're planning to prepare the site using a sod cutter to remove the grass. However, there is a 6 foot somewhat steep slope right now between the flat portion of the lawn and the sidewalk. We ideally want to turn this slope into prairie also, but I'm concerned that using a sod cutter on this sloped portion of the lawn will cause issues with erosion. How would you recommend removing the sod and approaching planting the prairie on the slope? Do you recommend seeds or plugs for the slope? Any other thoughts or tips?
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
I would clear the grass away from 12 inch in diameter circles and plant the natives. The new plants will gradually shade out the grass. The grass can also be removed gradually as the new plants fill in. I wouldn’t remove all the grass until next spring after the new plants come up and you are sure they are vigorous. You are very right to pay attention to holding the slope. I put in a 2 courses of blocks at the bottom of my South Mpls yard and left the grass to be shaded out. The left over grass was a bit of an annoyance but much better than washing away topsoil.
