Question
Pond
I put a 4 x 8ft, 350 gallon pond in about 10 yrs ago. (dug myself) It has a rock waterfall. The problem is that the pond is on a slight slope so mulch and dirt wash away. Everytime I mulch it nice, it eventually gets washed onto the grass. Besides adding soil and leveling the whole yard is there anything else I can do? I attached pic's. Hosta surround the whole pond so that helps when they grow in. But not enough. I'm attaching pic's that I just took. Any advice is welcoming. I dont want to invest too much since we are selling next yr. We are building a new home. Thank you.
AnswerYou've got really only one choice...plants. Lots of plants, preferably ones that are evergreen or remain substantial year round. Hosta die back completely so they don't help during winter or spring rains. Plus who knows when your house will be on the market. It needs to look good in winter too. A deciduous plant may also work if it is well rooted and twiggy (heavily branched) after loosing its leaves. Anything that provides ground coverage and holds mulch in place.
I would suggest a mix of small perennials and evergreens along with the usual mulch. The trunks and roots and bodies of the shrubs will help to hold mulch in place. Look at using creeping jenny if it grows in your area. Since you did not post your location I can not really offer ideas on plants though.
One last note though, mulch is organic, even without the slope it rots away each year and depending on your climate, the kind of mulch and the amount of moisture you will always need to replinish mulch every so often.
Good Luck
Sean J Murphy
www.amenityarchitects.com
