How to raise the level of a sloped grassy area ?

Do you need a wall or a barrier of some kind to stop the dirt from washing away from the slope? Grass will help but how about a row of bricks or blocks or railroad ties as a barrier.

We had a yard with a 4 foot slope which made mowing nearly impossible and severely limited our yard space. But the best solution we found was stacking/interlocking cement block.

Not cinder blocks but cement blocks with a natural or rough face and a lip that allows you to stack them and interlock for stability at the same time.

This made a HUGE difference.

Here is a link where you can get an idea of how this looks.

https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/outdoor/retaining-walls/stacking-walls/

I'm not sure what the sticks would accomplish. Do you need a retaining wall?

Sticks would biodegrade.

If you just want to decrease the slope, soil should work with some contouring and leveling. Planting grass is one way to keep the soil from eroding, but adding trees, bushes, other plants may help you even more. I wouldn't bother with the branches, you want clean fill.

You should look into renting a compaction tool. That will help more than anything else. Then put sod rather than seed. If you go with seed, then cover with burlap or netting to keep birds from eating and prevent washing.

By putting wood underneath the soil, when it rots the soil will settle. If you need to do some type of fill in, use aggregates - probably 5s or smaller rocks.

Thanks for your input !!! We have pretty sandy soil here , so I don't know how well compaction will work , I will look into it ! We were not thinking of putting much in the way of twigs and branches and just about 6 inches of soil , our thinking was that it might help hold the soil in place until the grass roots and helps to stabilize the area and by the time the decomposition of the twigs and branches takes place the area śhould be ok ???

Can you amend your soil with compost to decrease the erosion? A combination of sphagnum peat moss and well composted cow manure turned deeply into your soil may help. Note that you have the option of installing things like "hen and chicks" or varieties of sedum which should help control erosion. You may want to contact your local county extension agent/master gardener association or a landscape engineer for more specific help pertinent to your locale. The variety of grass you use may also have some bearing, as some may have deeper roots/denser root systems than others.

Thanks for your answer ... Don't think we could handle that ! It's a good idea , but we are a couple of seniors , a little too physical for us !

Hi, Pamela,

You didn't include photos and your climate conditions/ growing zone, but could you terrace this area, using plants for the

steepest segment, and plant grass in the area, above? A deep berm might be an option for you, as well, since you've had "wash outs", in the past.

Does anyone else in your neighborhood have experience with this same problem?

Hi, Pamela,

In the interim, I located some information pertinent to southern N.J. sandy soil-

"nj.com/insidenewjersey/2010/05/plant_your_own_sandy_garden_pe.html";

And... you are so lucky to have Rutgers University as a resource!

Check out these web pages:

"njaes.rutgers.edu.fs104" and "njaes.rutgers.edu/fs521".

"Fall Fescues in combination with Kentucky Bluegrass should be considered for sandier soils in southern N.J.".

" Add organics (compost, etc.) to very sandy soil, to a depth of 2-4 ".

You may find that the company delivering the topsoil would also deliver the compost, etc. They may even rototill it in, for you. Reseeding in your area is best done in August. You're fortunate to have a watering system in place.

I'll send more info. if it's relevant to you.

Having redone my sloped, 8500 sq. ft. lower yard (myself) years ago with 18 cubic yards of topsoil, compost, and lime, I know exactly what a torturous job this can be, which is why I suggested asking others for some help!