[Scpg] steep permaculture slope ideas?

[John Calvert]

I was gonna say grass... the bunch grass sounds like a very good idea.

lfunkhouser at juno.com wrote:
> Kevin,
>
> You might also want to talk to Mary Scaran, who is an acupuncturist in 
> SB (she's in the phone book) and has a very steep slope running the 
> entire length of her oak wooded and desert upland property that is 
> permeated by a spring. She has planted lots of things to stabilize, 
> including Persian mulberry trees (edible!) and some kind of grass -- 
> can't remember which -- but a type of bunch grass that she selected 
> for its very specific properties of soil stabilization. Mary practices 
> permaculture, studies horticulture, and is a very fine acupuncturist.
>
> Good luck.
>
> --Laura
>
> ---------- Original Message ----------
> From: Kevin Gleason <kevin at kevingleasonart.com>
> To: John Calvert <jcalvert at crystal3.com>
> Cc: scpg at arashi.com
> Subject: Re: [Scpg] steep permaculture slope ideas?
> Date: Mon, 6 Sep 2010 07:14:15 -0700
>
> Thanks, John, and all others who have replied.  This is such a helpful  
> community.  I am going to look into the "net and pan" technique Susan  
> recommended and am trying to find some good "pinning" shrubs and trees  
> per Dan's advice.  I need to pay good attention to the plants that  
> seem to be holding up west facing slopes next time I'm out hiking.  It  
> is okay with me if this really steep section doesn't grow food....  
> Maybe I'll just grow food for the birds there.
> I appreciate eveyone's help.
> Thanks!
>
>
> On Sep 5, 2010, at 9:22 PM, John Calvert wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > I started out writing a response to this, looking in the direction  
> > of what grows native on our steep coastal mountain canyons.
> >
> > But I realize that there isn't much edible on the really steep  
> > slopes.  It seems the more fruit-bearing types are more likely to  
> > appear where there's better soil and moisture.
> >
> > So, that leaves the plants that do well in poor soil and least  
> > moisture...
> >
> > nopal cactus, various wild sages, maybe fit in a hollyleaf cherry,  
> > chia ?, maybe some kind of mulberry, wild golden currant (?).
> >
> > so, mostly natives, and then some select fruit-bearing plantings w/  
> > drip irrigation.  ?
> >
> > JC
> >
> >
> > Kevin Gleason wrote:
> >> Hi all,
> >>
> >> I was wondering if anyone has good advice for creating a garden on  
> >> a VERY steep slope (more than 45 degrees.)  I'd love some feedback  
> >> on alternative terracing methods, whether this is too steep for  
> >> small swales, good soil-holding, drought-tolerant  ground covers  
> >> and other plants that would be useful and other ideas.  I remember  
> >> hearing Brock Dolman talking about making retaining walls with  
> >> burlap tubes filled with soil and a little cement.  Anybody tried it?
> >>
> >> Thanks for your help!
> >> Kevin
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> >>
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