big hole on slope after heavy rain

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atalanta Sherman, CT Oct 01, 2010

A big hole has opened up in my yard--about a foot wide and a foot deep, and it's on a slope that goes down a ravine. I'm pretty sure it began with moles, but the rain did its part, and now I'm wondering what to fill it with. Stones? Stones and dirt? I'd like to avoid a landslide, if possible, so any suggestions would be welcome.

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Xavven Broomfield, CO Oct 03, 2010

Plants are usually the best solution to preventing erosion, other than terracing, because the roots hold the soil together. What else is on the slope? Do you have irrigation systems in place? If not, go for a grass, shrub, or tree that's native to your climate.

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atalanta Sherman, CT Oct 04, 2010

Thanks very much for the reply. Yes, I do have other plants nearby, a big buddleia and some roses. I've decided to move a rosebush to the site, but I still need to fill the bottom of the hole--it's pretty big. One suggestion was: big rocks on the bottom, smaller rocks on top, then dirt. Does that sound right?

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JulieQ Bella Vista, AR(Zone 6b) Oct 04, 2010

If you're sure it is not a sinkhole that will keep getting bigger I think cheap topsoil would be better than rocks. The cheapest bagged topsoil has a lot of bark, etc in it but will still be something that roots can grow through.

To see if you have a sinkhole you may try driving a pole into the hole to see if it is solid or breaks through into an underground opening.

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Xavven Broomfield, CO Oct 05, 2010

Julie is right - roots can grow pretty deep. Soil is best.

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NatureLover1950 Vicksburg, MS(Zone 8a) Oct 06, 2010

This late in the year plants will not be able to put down sufficient roots to stop erosion. The rocks will slow down any water flow for the winter and then you could consider putting some type of plants in the hole next spring.

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themoonhowl Prairieville, LA(Zone 9a) Oct 06, 2010

You might consider using some of the larger rocks ato construct a small terrace wall or pocket, and back fill with soil. The ground will probably freeze over the coming winter,putting a lot of stress on any new plantings, so, skip plants til spring and apply a good layer of mulch over the soil. In the Spring you may have to add some additional soil and mulch, but your rock wall and hole should be fairly settled and ready to plant.

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