How to Restore Soil After Erosion

All plants require the right sun, soil and drainage to thrive and fail in poor planting sites. If you have a sloped yard or garden, though, winter rains and runoff may take the soil with them, leaving even the sunniest garden with inadequate soil content. Shore up your planting foundation in spring with rich amendments and additions to give your plants the base they need. Use a short-term retaining wall to help contain soil for the summer.

Shovel
Boards, 2-by-4-inch or 2-by-8-inch
Garden fork
Topsoil/garden loam
Organic compost
Fertilizer

Instructions

- 1
  Plan soil restoration for spring after the last frost, when winter rainstorms ease. This timing enables immediate planting after the soil amendment.
- 2
  Dig 2-inch-wide by 2-inch-deep trenches around the lower edge and corners of the site you're restoring. Slide 2-by-4-inch or 2-by-8-inch boards into the trenches long ways to build a simple, temporary retaining wall on the low side of the garden. This wall helps control and contain the soil during the summer.
- 3
  Find and gather as much of the old soil as you can. Move this eroded soil back into the contained garden area.
- 4
  Fill the garden area to the top of the boards with a mix of half organic compost and half topsoil or garden loam. Mix the two soil amendments with the natural soil to provide a rich and crumbly foundation for the plants.
- 5
  Add starter or balanced granular fertilizer to the new soil, per manufacturer directions. Water the soil to break down the fertilizer granules and plant.

What Are the Five Factors Affecting Soil Composition?

Installation of a Drainage System

Soil