Tough Conditions ·Growing Guide
Hillside Stabilizer
Multi-species blend
Erosion Control MixTough ConditionsSeed MixVery Low (once established) Maintenance
An erosion-control blend engineered for slopes, banks, and disturbed soil where establishment is difficult and permanent stabilization is critical. Unlike ornamental lawn mixes, this formula prioritizes root development, soil binding, and survival in challenging conditions over appearance. The 16% legume content (Alsike Clover + Empire...
Shop Wicked Tuff Turf →Overview
About Hillside Stabilizer
The Hillside Stabilizer is purpose-built for slopes, banks, ditches, and disturbed soil. Each species plays a specific role: Creeping Red Fescue spreads via rhizomes to knit soil together. Perennial Ryegrass provides fast establishment for immediate erosion protection. Redtop (Agrostis gigantea) tolerates wet, acidic, and compacted soils where other grasses fail—its aggressive spreading is a weakness in ornamental lawns but a strength for stabilization. Alsike Clover fixes nitrogen on infertile soils and tolerates wetter conditions than other clovers. Empire Birdsfoot Trefoil drives a 3-4 foot taproot for deep slope anchoring and fixes 80-150 lbs N per acre annually.
For slopes over 30% grade, use erosion blankets stapled at 1-foot intervals. Slopes over 50% grade require hydroseeding with tackifier—seed alone will wash away.
For slopes over 30% grade, use erosion blankets stapled at 1-foot intervals. Slopes over 50% grade require hydroseeding with tackifier—seed alone will wash away.
Fit
Where It Shines
Best for
- Slopes and banks over 15% grade
- Highway and roadway cuts and fills
- Retention pond banks and swales
- Stream banks (above normal water level)
- Construction sites requiring permanent erosion control
- Ditches and drainage channels
- Any disturbed soil requiring stabilization with minimal maintenance
Not ideal for
- Level ornamental lawns (will look weedy with Redtop and legume flowers)
- High-visibility aesthetic areas
- Areas requiring regular mowing
- High-traffic foot paths
From Seed to Stand
Establishment & Growth
Germination
Days 5-10: Perennial Ryegrass emerges. Days 7-14: Redtop appears. Days 14-21: Creeping Red Fescue and Alsike Clover visible. Days 21-35: Birdsfoot Trefoil establishes (slow to germinate but persistent once established).
Growth Habit
Mixed: Rhizomatous (Creeping Red Fescue), stoloniferous/rhizomatous (Redtop), bunch-type (Ryegrass), spreading legumes (Clover, Trefoil)
Establishment Timeline
Initial erosion protection: 2-4 weeks. Root system development: 3-6 months. Full stabilization: 12-24 months (Birdsfoot Trefoil taproot development).
What’s in the mix: 43% Creeping Red Fescue|33% Perennial Ryegrass|8% Redtop|8% Alsike Clover|8% Empire Birdsfoot Trefoil
Rates & Care
Seeding & Maintenance
| Seeding rate (new) | 6-8 lbs per 1,000 sq ft (steep slopes >30%: 8-10 lbs; hydroseeding: 100-150 lbs per acre) |
|---|---|
| Overseeding rate | 4-5 lbs per 1,000 sq ft |
| Soil temp to germinate | 50°F |
| Mowing height | 3.5-4.5 inches (infrequent mowing acceptable; many slope applications are unmowed) |
| Minimum mow height | 3.5 inches |
| First mow | When grass reaches 5-6 inches (if mowing at all) |
| Soil pH | 5.5-7.0 |
| Soil preference | Adaptable; specifically selected for challenging conditions including clay, compacted soil, and disturbed ground |
| Nitrogen needs | 0-1 lb N per 1,000 sq ft (16% legume content fixes atmospheric nitrogen; established stands typically require no fertilizer) |
Conditions
Tolerances
SunPartial to full sun (3-6+ hours)
ShadeGood
DroughtModerate to Good
TrafficLow
ColdExcellent
HeatModerate
Hardiness Zones3-7
Step by Step
How to Sow
1
Step 1: Prep
Rough-grade slope and remove loose debris
2
Step 2: Fertilize
Apply low-nitrogen / high-phos starter fertilizer
3
Step 3: Sow
Spread seed at 6-8 lbs (8-10 lbs on steep slopes)
4
Step 4: Contact
Install erosion blanket and secure with staples
5
Step 5: Water
Water if accessible (or rely on rainfall)
6
Step 6: Mow/Establish
No traffic during establishment; 12-24 mo to stabilize
Feeding & Timing
Fertilizing & Season
Fertilizer Recommendation
Minimal to none. The 16% legume content (Alsike Clover + Birdsfoot Trefoil) fixes atmospheric nitrogen sufficient for the grass species. Established stands on slopes typically require zero fertilizer. Initial establishment may benefit from low-nitrogen starter fertilizer (high phosphorus). Recommended: Wicked Growth Starter Formula at planting only.
Find the right Wicked fertilizer →Seasonal Planting
Best planted late August through October (zones 4-6). Spring planting (April-May) also effective. Fall planting preferred for slopes—natural fall rains reduce need for manual watering on inaccessible grades. Dormant seeding (November-December) acceptable for spring establishment.
In Context
How It Compares
The Hillside Stabilizer is the only Tuff Turf blend designed for erosion control rather than lawn aesthetics. Compared to the All Purpose Mix, it replaces Tall Fescue and Bluegrass with Redtop and deep-taproot legumes optimized for slope anchoring. Compared to the Winter Hold Mix (also used for erosion control), the Hillside Stabilizer is a permanent solution rather than temporary cover. For slopes that also need to look like a lawn, the All Purpose or Balanced Mix can work on grades under 15%, but anything steeper needs this blend.
Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Hillside Stabilizer seed mix and what is it designed for?
The Wicked Tuff Turf Hillside Stabilizer (New Hampshire Slope 44) is an erosion-control seed blend engineered for slopes, banks, and disturbed soil where establishment is difficult and permanent stabilization is critical. It contains 43% creeping red fescue, 33% perennial ryegrass, 8% redtop, 8% alsike clover, and 8% Empire birdsfoot trefoil. Unlike ornamental lawn mixes, this formula prioritizes root development, soil binding, and survival in challenging conditions over appearance.
What slope grades can the Hillside Stabilizer handle?
The Hillside Stabilizer works on slopes from 15% to 50%+ grade. Establishment method varies by steepness: 15-30% grade can be seeded, raked, and rolled with optional erosion blanket. 30-50% grade should use erosion control blanket stapled at 1-foot intervals or hydroseeding. Slopes exceeding 50% require hydroseeding with tackifier—broadcast seed alone will wash away before germination. Seed at 6-8 lbs per 1,000 sq ft for standard slopes, increasing to 8-10 lbs for steep slopes.
Why does the Hillside Stabilizer contain redtop grass?
Redtop (Agrostis gigantea) is included for its ability to establish on wet, acidic, compacted, and disturbed soils where finer turfgrasses fail. Redtop spreads aggressively via stolons and rhizomes—a weakness in ornamental lawns but a critical strength for erosion control. It colonizes bare, difficult ground faster than most grasses, providing immediate soil stabilization while slower species (fescue, trefoil) develop. Redtop is rarely used in lawn mixes but is invaluable for stabilization applications.
Does the Hillside Stabilizer need fertilizer after establishment?
Minimal to none. The 16% legume content (8% alsike clover + 8% Empire birdsfoot trefoil) fixes atmospheric nitrogen at 80-150 lbs per acre annually, sustaining the grass components without synthetic fertilizer. A low-nitrogen starter fertilizer (high phosphorus) at planting aids initial establishment, but established stands on slopes typically require zero ongoing fertilization. This self-sustaining characteristic is essential for slopes where fertilizer application is impractical or impossible.
How long does the Hillside Stabilizer take to fully stabilize a slope?
Initial erosion protection begins within 2-4 weeks as perennial ryegrass and redtop provide surface coverage. Root system development reaches functional stability within 3-6 months. Full stabilization—including birdsfoot trefoil's deep taproot anchoring (3-4 feet deep)—takes 12-24 months. The establishment period is the most vulnerable window; erosion control blankets protect the slope during this critical phase. Once fully established, the stand is self-sustaining with minimal maintenance.
Does the Hillside Stabilizer need to be mowed?
No. The Hillside Stabilizer is designed to perform without mowing. Many slope applications are physically impossible to mow safely. Unmowed, the stand stabilizes at 8-18 inches depending on which species dominate—birdsfoot trefoil produces yellow flowers (May-September) and redtop produces loose, reddish seed heads. The appearance is naturalized rather than manicured. If mowing is desired, cut to 3.5-4.5 inches infrequently (2-4 times per season).
What are the best applications for the Hillside Stabilizer mix?
Primary applications include residential slopes and banks over 15% grade, highway and road cuts and fills, retention pond banks and swales, stream banks above normal water level, construction sites requiring permanent erosion control, ditches and drainage channels, dam faces, and any disturbed soil requiring stabilization with minimal ongoing maintenance. It is not suitable for flat ornamental lawns (it will look weedy with redtop and legume flowers), high-visibility areas expecting manicured turf, or high-traffic paths.
