Bone-dry dirt

Question: I have an area in my back yard on a slope that gets infested with Japanese stiltgrass. I like to cut it low to minimize the stiltgrass growth, but it has been so dry that I create a dust storm whenever I cut it. 

Is there any kind of plant besides another weed that 1) resists deer 2) likes shade and 3) doesn't need a lot of water? I'm on a well system so I'm concerned about using a lot of water. I know that ferns and grasses hit on 1 and 2, and I have them all over the place elsewhere. I water them regularly, so I'd like to avoid adding more water- lovers. I would plant cactuses! But I know that they wouldn't last through the winters.

You can see the pictures below for effect.

responder: Answered by theHome and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied August 02, 2024, 1:42 PM EDT
response: Japanese stiltgrass is a pain. The only good part is that it's an annual that gets started anew each year (so pre-emergent products can prevent germination) and it is easy to pull. It makes a lot of seeds, though, so even after controlling one year, it can be back the next. Cutting it low can encourage it to just flower and make seeds low... and you definitely don't want to keep making a 'dust storm' as it blows away your topsoil. There are groundcover options: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/groundcovers/ You may have been kidding about the cactus, but we do actually have one that is native but wants sun. There might be some Carex which are grass-like sedges that would fit the bill as well:  https://mtcubacenter.org/trials/carex-for-the-mid-atlantic-region/   Christine

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 02, 2024, 3:58 PM EDT
response: Thanks Christine, this is useful. I WAS kidding about the cactus but I am intrigued that we have a native cactus here in Maryland. Can you provide more info? Might raise it as a novelty or ringfence the garden with it to stymie the deer.   -- Jack

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied August 02, 2024, 6:39 PM EDT
response: Our native cactus is the Eastern Pricklypear (Opuntia humifusa), and it can be found in a variety of locations around the state. I have seen it grow in full sun and semi-shade (under pine and deciduous trees in open woodland), so as long as it's not too heavily shaded, you might be able to get some established. (Like any drought-tolerant plant, they may benefit from being coddled a bit and watered when the weather stays too dry, but after establishing, should be fairly hands-off.) The wild Pricklypear I have seen while hiking in central Maryland aren't always very spiny, so don't depend on them to deter deer.  If this area of the yard isn't lawn or any particular planting and you want to discourage weeds and erosion while deciding how to plant (or planting in stages), you could consider covering the area with a layer of arborist wood chips. Researchers at Patuxent Wildlife Refuge, as an example, have successfully created new pollinator planting beds by dumping about 8 inches of wood chip mulch over an area (even if it's mowed weeds or turf that wasn't removed first), letting that smother the existing vegetation, and planting directly into the mulch (moving aside enough to reach soil). The wood chips break down into soil-amending organic matter and keep most weeds from reaching the surface until they die out. If a slope is not too steep, the mulch will probably stay in place, especially once wet-down by rain.  Miri

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 02, 2024, 7:43 PM EDT
response: Miri, This sounds great - I really like the wood chip idea! It buys me time to decide what to do while keeping down stiltgrass. Thanks for the link, it was helpful.   I have many trees here and a chipper. I can augment a purchase of the real thing easily.   Hope you have a fine weekend.   -- Jack

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied August 05, 2024, 9:38 AM EDT
response: You're welcome!