How to Prevent Residential Soil Erosion

Soil erosion can affect any type of area from residential to forests. It occurs when the soil shifts as a consequence of very heavy rain or wind. Rain running off a roof or across paved areas at home can cause substantial erosion in residential areas because it can flow too quickly for proper absorption. Soil erosion is detrimental to the land because it removes nutrients from the soil, which means plants and trees cannot grow as easily or in a healthy way.

Plants and flowers
Wood fiber mats
Scissors or secateurs
Mulch
Fertilizer

Instructions

- 1
  Plant trees, flowers, herbs, vegetables and any other type of vegetation over the area being affected by soil erosion. Landscaping the area in this way can help absorb excessive water and therefore decrease erosion. Plants that spread low across the ground are particularly good for this. Ornamental grasses can help in this way as can dwarf Japanese garden juniper, which is low to the ground and has dense foliage that stays all year.
- 2
  Place matting over the area of ground being eroded to protect it from excessive water runoff. Matting made of wood fibers is the best type to use as it is safe for the environment. Place the mats on top of the soil with holes for plants and crops to grow between made with scissors or secateurs. As well as helping to absorb water, the root systems of the plants help stabilize the soil.
- 3
  Mulch the flower beds or land that is affected to help the ground absorb more rain. The mulch works in much the same way as the matting technique; it stabilizes the soil and protects it against the wind and rain. A good example of mulch is bark or wood chippings.

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