Tips for Erosion Control

Did you know that minimizing yard erosion is one of the most important aspects of landscape maintenance?

Over time, due to rainfall and water drainage, erosion occurs – in other words, the topsoil can start to shift. Not only does erosion look bad, but it can cause toxic runoff to enter the water system and rob your lawn of the nutrients it needs to survive. These tips for erosion control will help to keep your yard in good condition.

Grow Plants to Protect Your Slopes

Erosion happens when bare or loose soil is washed away by rain and wind. Plants are the best way to prevent erosion because their roots hold the soil in place and their leaves shelter the ground. A few of the best plants to grow are:

Burning Bush: hardy, low-maintenance bushes that bloom a beautiful red in the fall and produce berries in the spring.

Creeping Juniper: small, blue-green or plum-colored shrubs that cover a large area and do well in difficult conditions.

Ivy: evergreens with strong roots that are great climbers and cover a lot of ground. They’re great climbers as well.

Vinca: also called periwinkle, these plants bloom beautiful bluish-purple flowers and are a type of evergreen that does well in shade.

Beach Strawberry: a sturdy, short plant that mimics the appearance of a strawberry plant. Perfect to add bursts of color to shady yards. 

Hardier flowers: any flowers that grow well in particularly difficult conditions, such as violets, roses, and coneflowers. Ask the local garden center for recommendations.

Cover Your Ground in Mulch

In your flower beds (or anywhere where there isn’t grass growing), add a layer of mulch to the surface of the soil around your plants. It will help the soil to retain water, protect he nutrients in the soil, and protect against sun, rain, wind, and other weather conditions. Repeat each year for best results, as mulch will break down over time.

Add in Native Vegetation

While any plants can help prevent erosion in your sloped yard, native vegetation is often the best choice. Native grasses and wildflowers naturally grow and survive in the conditions in your area to help preserve the soil from wind and water damage. They have strong root systems that help to hold the dirt in place.

Build Terraces or Retaining Walls

If you are looking for a form of erosion landscaping maintenance that can also enhance the beauty of your yard, build a terrace or retaining wall. Terraces are a staircase-like system built with prairie grass, stones, or brick. Retaining walls are walls that are built strategically to protect your yard. Both are easily customizable to the aesthetics of your landscaping.

Improve Drainage or Add a Rain Garden

If rainwater is the main culprit of your soil erosion, improving the water drainage system in your yard may be the best solution. Collecting rainwater in barrels, if allowed in your area, installing a new drainage system such as a French drain, or creating a rain garden can all help collect or channel water to a different location.

Protect Your Yard from Erosion

These landscape maintenance tips for preventing erosion will help you keep your yard as beautiful as the day you bought it. To learn more, contact us at Bill Beazley Homes!