Vegetables on a slope

[HydeParkB]

I've got a bare slope, about 5 feet long and at a 45 degree angle. It's probably about 8 feet wide. The lilies I planted didn't do much, so I'm planning to plant vegetables there to at least help stabilize the soil.

I'm just using the extras from the garden - we've got cherry tomatoes, cinnamon basil, banana peppers, and thai peppers.

Any pointers for planting on a slope? Is this a lost cause?

[annekevdbroek]

45 degrees is a very steep slope. I think the challenge would be keeping the soil and small plants in place. I have a slight slope in my garden and I ran the plants left to right (rather than up and down the slope), dug channels between the rows, mulched very heavily with newspaper and then hay. The rainwater is able to run down through the channels which helps prevent washing away. With a slope as steep as you describe I'd consider just covering it with a nice ground perenial cover, maybe creeping thyme.

[HydeParkB]

I attempted to start a packet of creeping thyme seeds, but they don't seem to be doing anything. And we just don't have the budget this summer for me to buy a flat of plants.

I may follow your example to mulch with hay and newspapers, if I can find a source for hay. I also have some bricks that I may use to shore up the soil in front of the plants (kind of building a half-planter).

[mama_daba]

i know ancient cultures found ways or growing lots of plants on slopes, i think they sort of dug the soil to make steps, and used plants that would help keep erosion down,

[Owen'nZoe]

I gardened on a 45 degree slope in my old house. It isn't ideal, but you can make it work. If you can terrace it at some point, that would be best to prevent errosion, but I gardened for 2 years on the slope as it was. One thing I did that I think helped was underground watering. I picked up every plastic milk jug or 2 liter soda bottle I could from my neighbors and friends, poked a few holes in them, and buried them up to the rim in between the rows of veggies every couple of feet. To water the plants, I just filled the bottles up. This cut down on errosion quite a bit, and helped ensure that the water was soaking in, not just running down the hill. I also mulched heavily.

Good luck!