Prevent Erosion In Your Yard

There are several methods to employ to prevent erosion in your yard. However, before you look for a soil erosion prevention plan, make sure to assess the erosion carefully. Since topsoil is normally the most egregious kind of yard erosion, here are four methods to use to prevent it. Prevention begins with control methods that are determined by the depth and severity of the problem. Soil erosion can be caused by factors such as rainfall, ice melting and wind blowing severely. By establishing one or several prevention methods, you will keep your lawn healthy while offering plants and trees and place to grow and flourish.

Plant Vegetation

The most common, and possibly the easiest, way to battle erosion in your yard is to plant flowers or tress in the area affected. These plants will act as a shield, lessening the impact of rainfall, over watering, ice and wind that contribute to erosion. Plants and tress help stabilize the soil by putting in roots that soak up water as well. Wild flowers work well to blanket an area prone to soil erosion as do herb plants acting as cover. Also, a line of shrubbery can be used as an antidote to soil erosion. Creeping crawling cover plants are better to plant than ones that simply grow upwards.

Matting

Matting is one method for preventing soil erosion that can be applied on residential lawns. Since matting is comprised of wood fibers it is eco-friendly. Matting is placed in the affected area, helping to soak up the elements preventing erosion. Matting allows for plants to grow through it and can be cut into whatever size to suit your needs.

Mulching

Adding a layer of mulch can be beneficial for both soil and plants when applied. Consider a layer of fertilizer as well. Both will help the soil absorb water--lessening any impact rainfall may have on the area. Mulch and fertilizer contribute to higher PH levels and help the health of the soil as well. Frequent mulching is a good practice to replace used mulch that may no longer be as effective controlling erosion as a fresh batch might be. There is no particular type of mulch or fertilizer to is better to use.

Edging

Mud puddles or wet spots visible on your lawn are sure signs of soil erosion runoff. They occur where the soil cannot hold the water and the soil pushes it to the surface where it puddles. Often planted areas where the soil has been disturbed cause a water runoff that appears in other areas of the lawn. A simple solution is to build a retaining wall around flower beds and larger plants such as trees. Retaining walls are typically installed a few inches deep into the ground. These will act as shields preventing surface water runoff. Retaining walls will also keep water within the bed, allowing plants in the bed to slowly soak water in.

Your local Cooperative Extension Service has publications to help homeowners prevent soil erosion.