Erosion can wreak havoc on your landscape, exposing tree roots, washing away plant beds, altering grading or drainage, or even damaging your home’s foundation. That’s where erosion control comes into play.
Water can be an extremely powerful force.
From a steady spring drizzle to a forceful downpour, all this water can add up when it comes to washing away soil in vulnerable areas in your yard.
This is what’s we call erosion.
If you see some bare spots or have a hard time growing anything in certain areas of your landscape, it’s likely a result of erosion. Once the water washes away the plant material that kept the soil in place, nothing is there to stop that erosion from continuing its forceful impact on your property. It can cause washouts and even create runoff that flows from your property into local waterways.
Stabilize Slopes
The use of retaining walls decreases your gradient on the slope effectively slowing down the water. This is one popular yet expensive way to stabilize the slope. Another option is simply grassing the slope. The small roots hold the soil together and let the water drain through them slowly. Heavy vegetation is usually enough to stabilize a slope.
Slow water Down
Rocks and boulders are the best landscaping items to slow down water. Whether it is large boulder strategically placed or river rocks forming a small channel where the water runs either will do the job. The weight of the rocks holds the soil down preventing washouts. They also allow water to flow around them.
Channel water into pipes
If you haven’t buried your downspouts you should investigate that first. This is a simple fix that will help keep the highest-trafficked areas around your house dry. Nothing is worse for grass than walking around in mud destroying it. Other options are to create French drains that are like underground sponges. They absorb water and direct it away from the surface to prevent erosion.
Soil amendments
Some clay soils will not absorb water very well and must have amendments to make them drain and absorb the water better. Adding sand or small pebbles and organic materials will help break up the clay and allow room for water to percolate.
Hardscape solutions
Patios and walkways help protect your grass and vegetation from traffic. You should consider adding these features to high-traffic areas. The healthier your grass and stronger the root system under the soil the better it will handle runoff.
