Erosion Control With Grasses & Plants

Assessing

• Understand the area to be landscaped. Look at drainage patterns, where water runs off and how quickly the ground absorbs precipitation. Pay attention to the ground's slope, how the slope affects run off and how difficult landscape maintenance will be. Examine the soil type. Sandy soils drain quickly but may be loose and susceptible to erosion. Clay does not drain well and may lead to more run off. Soil type is an important factor in choosing landscape plants.

Turf Grass

• Turf grass is an effective erosion control if the grass is maintained properly. The dense root system locks the top layers of soil together. An area of turf absorbs a significant amount of precipitation and reduces run off. Turf that is not regularly dethatched is not an effective erosion control method. Thatch acts as a barrier that prevents soil from absorbing precipitation and run off is significant. Maintaining turf on steep slopes is difficult.

Mixed Planting

• A mixed planting of various kinds of plants is a better solution for erosion control than turf grass. Smaller plants and grasses have relatively shallow root systems, while larger trees and shrubs have roots that reach deeper. This variety of root depths ties together soil layers and allows them to more easily resist erosion.

Native Plants

• Plant an erosion-prone area with native plants. Native plants are well adapted to local soils and precipitation patterns, and they quickly establish themselves and are likely to remain healthy. Native plants also require less maintenance than exotic species. The also require less irrigation, thereby reducing the opportunities for erosion.