Every lawn has its problem areas but if you have an eroding hillside on your property, your small hillside could amount to a much larger problem. Soil erosion contributes to problems like impeding foundations of your home or building, creating damage in the form of large gullies and water wash throughout your lawn, and it presents a dangerous mowing challenge. Fortunately, there is a natural solution to deter your “molehill” from becoming a “mountain” of a problem. Very often it seems that the easy answer to your gardening problems is ground cover. If there is something that needs hiding, covering, or masking, ground cover looks like the best solution. It is true, that ground cover can be used in a multitude of landscaping predicaments but it isn’t your only option. However, before we go into what options are available to you, let’s talk a bit about ground cover. Ground cover works with a soil-eroding situation because the roots of the ground cover aid in binding the soil particles together and holding the hillside firm. Ground cover also helps with rainwater run off in a way that simple grasses cannot. Grasses do not slow the process of rainwater run off like ground cover can. However, it has been assumed that ground cover is carefree and doesn’t require any attention. This is not true. Ground cover can still become invaded with weeds and still needs to be maintained. You will no longer have to mow the troublesome area but you will need to hand weed the area and ensure that the ground cover does not grow out of control. If you choose to use ground cover make sure you choose something that will look nice in massive amounts. A climbing Hydrangea is an example of a beautiful option. Ornamental grasses and vines, like the Asiatic Jasmine is a good solution for sunny spots and for shady spots a plant similar to Vinca are wonderful selections. If your hillside is in a sunny location, a viable option could be to plant wildflower seeds. Many garden centers carry general wildflower mixes that would be great to incorporate into your landscape. While the seeds are germinating and the flowers are taking root, you might want to stabilize the soil by adding a thin layer of hay or degradable netting. Erosion fabric and mulch can aid in weed prevention. You might also want to consider and assortment of shrubs or vines. And for shady areas, consider planting ferns or shade loving shrubs. Another impressive solution is to create a terrace by using bricks, rough stone, rocks, or other types of masonry to build “steps” or walls to segment the hillside into smaller sections. These areas can then be filled with different yet complimentary flowers and greenery. If your terrace is going to be over a foot or two high, then make sure you check with local ordinances and building codes. By incorporating any of these soil erosion methods, your problematic hillside will soon become a beautiful display that you can be proud of.