Things to Do to Prevent Soil Erosion

Yard Maintenance

• A yard with bare spots in it is more likely to lose soil during any type of rain or watering of the area. Tend to bare patches immediately by planting more grass seed or using a piece of sod to cover the area. If you can't get the grass to take, consider creating a planting area in the space to help hold the dirt in place. Take care of your lawn to encourage even growth of the grass. Light watering during dry spells prevents the grass from going dormant.

Plants

• Large plants help keep the soil in place around your yard. Trees and shrubs in particular work well due to the large roots systems they have. These types of plantings help hold the dirt where it belongs. A row of shrubs also helps block the wind so your topsoil doesn't blow away as easily. Smaller plants also help prevent erosion. Create planting beds around the yard to reduce the amount of soil you lose. Use mulch around your plants to cover the soil so it is less likely to erode. The mulch also locks in moisture to help your plants stay moist.

Rain Diversion

• Rain needs a place to run off. Your roof creates a large amount of water rushing downward at one time. Keep your gutter system maintained so it is able to function properly. A jammed up gutter forces the water to flow over the edges, creating gullies in the yard that allow the dirt to wash away. Direct the downspout runoff away from the home. Another way to reduce runoff from rain is to use a rain barrel at the end of the downspout. Not only do you reduce the soil that washes away, you are able to reuse the rainwater for watering your gardens and lawn.

Terracing

• Steep slopes on your property make erosion a bigger issue. Water naturally runs down the hills, taking the soil with it. If you have a slope in your yard, consider terracing to slow the erosion. Create terraces down the slope so the water isn't able to rush down as easily. The terraces give you planting areas for additional erosion prevention. Plant flowers in the terraces with mulch around the base.