How to grow the plants in hilly areas?

Question

What is the procedure to grow the plants in hilly areas?

Answer 1

Consider natural grades, soil composition & drainage, vegetation, & use of natural materials. Also try to decrease steep slopes & regulate the direction of water flow.

Try to landscape to avoid soil erosion

Use terracing and level changes to reduce the slope. If the slope is too steep, it'll be difficult to establish plants & groundcovers & on too steep a slope plants will also need frequent maintenance to prevent erosion.

Improve soil with compost to allow better drainage.

Plant vegetation that holds the soil better (has a good fibrous root system)  & try to maintain existing & native vegetation.  Place lower-water demand plants at the tops of slopes and higher-demand plants at the bottom.

Ground covers spread quickly to form a dense cover, adds beauty to the landscape & helps prevent soil erosion. They include: Creeping Juniper, creeping Phlox, English Ivy, Hosta, Pachysandra, Yucca, Liriopes, Vinca, Sedums,  Daylilies, ornamental grasses, ferns, etc.

http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/envirohort/42...

"Assess what is growing on the site to see if it is native and potentially attractive...(for example) A few potentially attractive shrubs and small trees native to New York are:

http://www.wildflower.org/expert/show.ph...

Groundcovers for specific situations:

http://landscaping.about.com/gi/dynamic/...

http://pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/pubcd/...

http://landscaping.about.com/od/groundco...

Use stones & other natural materials to divert direction of water. Designing with geologic features such as rock outcrops also enhances the sense of place.

Mulch, such as wood chips, will help to hold the soil in place.

Use different material for anchoring soil in place, such as wood pegs, mesh, landscape fabric, logs etc.

Basically, try to stabilize soil, divert & capture runoff in depressions (to help recharge groundwater supply), and revegetate areas to replicate natural drainage systems http://www.nps.gov/dsc/d_publications/d_...

Illustrations of how four major terrace types are built:

http://www.amergeog.org/gr/jul02/beach.h...

Photo of terracing to prevent soil erosion & increase planting area(scroll down page):

http://www.texasento.net/alternare.htm

Hints about planting a hill in part to full shade:

http://www.bellaonline.com/ArticlesP/art...

Answer 2

Cut down the hills.  Or water extra on the hills.