How to Landscape to Stop Erosion

Erosion removes topsoil from your landscape, creating an unsightly effect and making it difficult to grow new plants. Water runoff also contributes to pollution because it carries nutrients and chemicals from the soil to streams and coastal waters, which leads to algae problems, imbalances in the aquatic ecosystem and groundwater pollution. Erosion occurs easily on sloped surfaces, but it may also occur on flat surfaces that receive lots of rainfall or irrigation or that have compacted soil. Prevent erosion with good landscaping practices.

Ground cover
Mulch
Jute netting or erosion control blanket
Core aerator

Instructions

- 1
  Plant a ground cover, such as grass, creeping juniper or creeping phlox, on flat to moderately sloped areas. Or cover flat to gently sloped areas with a 2-inch layer of mulch, such as pine needles, bark or wood chips.
- 2
  Plant a ground cover on slopes that have a 33 to 50 percent steepness, and use jute netting or an erosion control blanket to hold the plants in place until they become established.
- 3
  Cut terraces into very steep slopes, and plant a ground cover on the terrace layers. Alternatively, install a rock retaining wall or concrete blocks.
- 4
  Pave your driveway, or use paving blocks. This reduces erosion caused by snow removal and vehicle traffic. However, don't pave too much of your landscape; paved areas don't absorb water so they contribute to runoff.
- 5
  Put mulch on walkways instead of using dirt paths, which erode more easily.
- 6
  Ensure that your gutters and downspouts expel water on an area covered with grass or mulch, not onto bare soil.
- 7
  Avoid soil compaction by having your lawn aerated when necessary and avoiding parking vehicles on the lawn. Compacted soil can't absorb water effectively, leading to erosion.
- 8
  Leave a buffer zone of vegetation between your lawn and any water, such as a stream or drainage ditch. This reduces the chances that runoff will pollute the water.

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