It can be frustrating to look out over your lawn and see ugly, patchy growth and brown spots, especially if you have been doing your best to take care of the grass. If the area is sloped, even slightly, that could be the reason for the poor growth. The following will help you keep your lawn healthy, even in the sloping areas where maintenance can be more of a challenge.

Tip #1: Change your grass type

Some grass varieties are better suited to growing on slopes. Opt for varieties that are known to develop deep, extensive root systems so that they stay anchored even in adverse conditions that could wash away varieties with a more shallow root system. Zoysia and perennial ryegrass, for example, send out a deep, fibrous system that helps it stay anchored. You may still need to reseed lightly each year, but overall you will experience less patchiness compared to other grass types.

Tip #2: Level the area

Of course, a lot of the patchiness problem can be fixed by leveling the area. The use of retaining walls may be just the thing to do this -- you can eliminate or at lease lessen the slope by having one or more walls put in. The soil is then built up behind the wall to make the planting area more level. Since there is still a slope, it just steps down; moisture will still trickle toward the base, but it won't have the force to wash away your grass.

Tip #3: Install drainage

Often, it's rainfall or snowmelt that leads to the severe runoff erosion that ruins the lawn on a slope. By minimizing this runoff, you may be able to keep the lawn green. Install perforated drain pipes or drain tiles along the top of the slope and at intervals down the slope. This will help the water to trickle down as opposed to sweeping away everything in its path.

Tip #4: Vary your planting

Instead of just grass, combine your grass with plants that have a superior ability to hold the slope in place. Native bunchgrasses and fountain grasses, for example, are deep-rooted plants that return each year and do an excellent job of stabilizing and holding a slope. Small shrubs like forsythia and cinquefoil provide a similar benefit. You can mix in decorative plantings such as these with small lawn areas down the slope to help hold the slope and to slow erosion of the lawn.

For more help with retaining walls and other sloped lawn needs, contact a lawn care service in your area. Companies like Rock Solid Services LLC can offer more information.