And to amend my original post on the subject: the owner did consult professionals, did use structural elements to stabilize the slope in addition to biological ones, and does consider safety first and foremost.
My point was to provide two biological solutions that had not been previously submitted. Vetiver turns out to be a champion. My gosh, it's a grass that has its own international association! 
Is the assumption, then, that permaculture approaches could not possibly stablize a slope? That seems like faulty reasoning, given the number of variables involved for each unique situation and the stunning array of applications one could use..
---------- Original Message ----------
From: John Calvert <jcalvert@crystal3.com>
To: Undisclosed-recipients:;
Cc: Scpg@arashi.com
Subject: Re: [Scpg] steep permaculture slope ideas?
Date: Mon, 06 Sep 2010 12:01:26 -0700
Perhaps I can bring this to a close by saying that permaculture is applied to do what is appropriate, not to force an idea. "The problem is the solution" – the conditions and inputs will determine the possibilities. Herein lies the beauty of permaculture as a way of looking at things holistically, and without attachment to preconceived ideas or outcomes. But Owen's point is well taken – i.e. to have an understanding of what's going on with the mechanics of a slope, which involves soil, geology, and hydrology.
I trust that Kevin is very capable of making a good decision.
JC
Owen Dell wrote: Gee, people! Why are you so threatened by facts? Shoot the messenger? Come on! You just don't want to hear the truth. Slope failure, as I said in my previous email is NOT covered by insurance. Ask your agent. If your "experiential life" includes bankruptcy and a multi-million dollar lawsuit because your property fell onto your neighbor's house, maybe killing someone, then how are you going to feel? I've been an expert witness on cases of this kind. I really hate to ramp up the conflict here, but I just have got to tell you that you are living in a dream world if you think that it's no big deal to put public safety and the environment at risk because of some notion that it would be cool to transform a steep slope into a permaculture planting. Nice idea, but first you have to be sure you're not committing a massive and irretrievable error in judgment. I love permaculture and I love producing food, but I also love doing things right and staying out of trouble. Don't live in a dream world. Your actions have significant impacts on others. Find out what you're doing before you do it. Messing with land isn't a game. It's serious business, and safety is ALWAYS an overriding concern.
Owen
Owen E. Dell, ASLA
Owen Dell & Associates
Landscape Architect • Educator • Author
P.O. Box 30433 • Santa Barbara, CA 93130
805 962-3253
owen@owendell.com
www.owendell.com
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Skill in landscape design is shown in the ability to 'follow' and
'borrow from' the existing scenery and lie of the land, and artistry
is shown in the feeling of suitability created. This is…beyond the
powers of mere workmen, as well as beyond the control of the
landowner. The owner must obtain the services of the right person,
and not throw his money away.”
Ji Cheng, “The Craft of Gardens”
1631 a.d.
On Sep 6, 2010, at 11:03 AM, lfunkhouser@juno.com wrote:
Yes! I believe vetiver grass is it. Thank you Vinay.
With all due respect to Owen, please don't shoot the messenger. I was trying to put Kevin in touch with someone who has a challenging slope and has done a lot of research and has had years of results and tinkering with the regime. Just passing along contacts and information here.
Yes, you can't beat professional advice and experience, but there are new things to be discovered if one wants to live an experiential life and has really good insurance, and where safety is not an overriding concern. Some people like the process of discovery as much as the goal. I'll leave it at that.
---------- Original Message ----------
From: Vinay Jathanna <vjathanna@gmail.com>
To: "lfunkhouser@juno.com" <lfunkhouser@juno.com>
Cc: kevin@kevingleasonart.com
Subject: Re: [Scpg] steep permaculture slope ideas?
Date: Mon, 6 Sep 2010 10:55:15 -0700
Hi Laura and Kevin,
It is Vetiver Grass. Doug Richardson, in Santa Barbara is doing a lot of work with vetiver grass. It is a grass that comes from the Indian subcontinent. It is very benign and has multiple uses as a Permaculture plant.
http://vetivernetinternational.blogspot.com/2008/06/vetiver-system-applications-in.html
http://www.vetiver.org/
Vinay
On Mon, Sep 6, 2010 at 10:08 AM, lfunkhouser@juno.com <lfunkhouser@juno.com> wrote:
Kevin,
You might also want to talk to Mary Scaran, who is an acupuncturist in SB (she's in the phone book) and has a very steep slope running the entire length of her oak wooded and desert upland property that is permeated by a spring. She has planted lots of things to stabilize, including Persian mulberry trees (edible!) and some kind of grass -- can't remember which -- but a type of bunch grass that she selected for its very specific properties of soil stabilization. Mary practices permaculture, studies horticulture, and is a very fine acupuncturist.
Good luck.
--Laura
---------- Original Message ----------
From: Kevin Gleason <kevin@kevingleasonart.com>
To: John Calvert <jcalvert@crystal3.com>
Cc: scpg@arashi.com
Subject: Re: [Scpg] steep permaculture slope ideas?
Date: Mon, 6 Sep 2010 07:14:15 -0700
Thanks, John, and all others who have replied. �This is such a helpful �
community. �I am going to look into the "net and pan" technique Susan �
recommended and am trying to find some good "pinning" shrubs and trees �
per Dan's advice. �I need to pay good attention to the plants that �
seem to be holding up west facing slopes next time I'm out hiking. �It �
is okay with me if this really steep section doesn't grow food.... �
Maybe I'll just grow food for the birds there.
I appreciate eveyone's help.
Thanks!
On Sep 5, 2010, at 9:22 PM, John Calvert wrote:
>
>
> I started out writing a response to this, looking in the direction �
> of what grows native on our steep coastal mountain canyons.
>
> But I realize that there isn't much edible on the really steep �
> slopes. �It seems the more fruit-bearing types are more likely to �
> appear where there's better soil and moisture.
>
> So, that leaves the plants that do well in poor soil and least �
> moisture...
>
> nopal cactus, various wild sages, maybe fit in a hollyleaf cherry, �
> chia ?, maybe some kind of mulberry, wild golden currant (?).
>
> so, mostly natives, and then some select fruit-bearing plantings w/ �
> drip irrigation. �?
>
> JC
>
>
> Kevin Gleason wrote:
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I was wondering if anyone has good advice for creating a garden on �
>> a VERY steep slope (more than 45 degrees.) �I'd love some feedback �
>> on alternative terracing methods, whether this is too steep for �
>> small swales, good soil-holding, drought-tolerant �ground covers �
>> and other plants that would be useful and other ideas. �I remember �
>> hearing Brock Dolman talking about making retaining walls with �
>> burlap tubes filled with soil and a little cement. �Anybody tried it?
>>
>> Thanks for your help!
>> Kevin
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