Question
Hi,
We are having our house built and are presently in the foundation stage.  In order to accommodate our desire to have walk-out level on the front and sides of the house we have built up the ground around the house by having approximately 150 loads of dirt brought in.  We realize that time is of the essence to prevent erosion and a loss of our investment.  We have heard about hydroseeding and are considering that.  One company we抳e contacted recommended hydroseeding with Bermuda and putting a curlex blanket over it.   The slope is too steep to mow and we don抰 want it to be an eye sore along the front.  Our immediate concern is runoff and losing our investment in the dirt and our long term concern is the overall look from the front.  We were considering andora compacta juniper, but are concerned it won抰 take root and grow quick enough to prevent the runoff.  The slope faces north and has sun on it all day.  We live near Atlanta, Georgia.  Thank you in advance for your expert advice for our dilemma.


Answer
Hi Jennifer, I'm not a big fan of mass planting junipers.  They get spider mites and bagworms and they are a pain to weed. Why hydroseed if it's too steep to mow? I'd cover the entire area with a good quality (nursery grade) landscape fabric.  If it's year-round sun, then I'd plant Sedum (I like Angelina) through the fabric at 12" intervals.  It will be covered in about a year.  The fabric will keep the area almost weed free.  If you want to hide the fabric until it fills, likely spread pine needles over the fabric and then cover with bird netting to hold it in place.  The netting will be invisible from a few feet away.  Use ground staples to hold it all in place.  
Be sure about your sun.  If it's shaded in the winter by the house, then another groundcover may be more appropriate than Sedum.
Jim