On 7/2/2016 5:28 AM, Brooklyn1 wrote:
On Sat, 2 Jul 2016 07:13:33 -0400, songbird
wrote:

Jane 22 wrote:

Hi

I'm new to this forum and need some help please!
We have recently rotivated an overgrown slope at the end of our garden
and want to lay turf with the idea that it will keep the weeds at bay.
However, it has lots of stones and chalk. We are raking off the surface
stones but when we dig over there are lots more stones and chalk below
the surface. Will it be alright to lay turf on such stony ground? We
won't be walking on it as its a fairly steep slope.

Thanks everyone!

an overgrown slope and you tilled it? eek!
gonna be a mess...

yes, you could put turf over that and eventually
it will either die off or degrade and the overgrown
state will return. everytime you mow it or do
something to it the slope is disturbed and new rocks
will appear.

i would instead recommend a mix of species which
are adapted to growing on thin and poor soil, small
grasses, wildflowers (annual and perennial poppies,
pinks, basically anything you can find that will
grow in from seed, species tulips, crocus, love in
a mist, creeping phlox, etc.) it won't be uniform,
it won't look neat, but it will function as an
ecosystem and have diversity, some flowers here or
there to support wild bees and butterflies. as you go
through time you will find certain plants that go
very well there. it will be much more interesting
than yet another hillside of turf.

if you enjoy meditive arts you could start making
small terraces using the rocks which appear to hold
any topsoil that exists and that would encourage
certain plants more to hold the soil in place (and
any moisture ). using the larger rocks as
stepping stones/stairs to get here or there without
disturbing the surface.


songbird

A steep slope will be difficult/dangerous to mow. I agree with the
terracing... depending on the features of a rocky slope it may also be
suitable for a water feature. Without more detail (area size, grade
angle, sun/shade, etc.) it's difficult to offer meaningful advice,
photos would help.


I saw nothing in the O.P. to suggest it was a steep slope.

Personally, I would recommend planting seed rather than sod, but this
might not be a good time for either.