Erosion isn’t something that only affects agriculturists; it’s also prevalent in suburban backyards. Storms, flooding, and even improper land management will cause erosion to your yard.
Eventually, soil erosion will result in pools of standing water, bald patches, and a loss of topsoil that can cause property damage. Plants will be more vulnerable to pests, and fixing lawn issues will cost you time and money. But luckily, there are four easy ways to prevent erosion in your yard.
Covering the Soil
Yard areas without any ground covering for soil, such as flower beds or hillsides, are more susceptible to erosion. Covering soil will prevent erosion from rain and wind, and there are a few methods you can use to do this. Having mulch is a common solution for limiting erosion. Other materials like gravel, rocks, sand, and cocoa shells also hold the soil in place.
Furthermore, ground coverings help prevent weeds from growing. So if you’d rather have something green in your backyard than mulch or gravel, consider planting a perennial plant cover instead.
Having Erosion-Preventing Plants
Plants can help with soil erosion, too. You’ll have to be careful when choosing plants because some can be invasive and grow out of control. Plus, you’ll also need to select the best plants based on whether your yard gets a lot of sun or shade. Choosing grasses or shrubbery that are indigenous to your region is typically the best choice.
Creating a Terrace
Is your yard on a slope? Preventing erosion on hilly areas is a challenge, but homeowners often deal with hills by creating terraces. While this takes a bit more effort, it’s worthwhile. You can use items like railroad ties or leftover patio pavers to edge out levels into a hillside.
Once the terrace is complete, you can add foliage like trees, shrubbery, or flower gardens.
Setting Down Sandbags
Some regions are more prone to severe flooding, and some homeowners must contend with redirecting water elsewhere. To prevent heavy erosion from flash floods and storms, you might have to resort to sandbagging trouble areas in your yard. You can stack the bags in a staircase formation to divert water away from your home and protect your yard from major erosion.
If you often deal with water runoff that’s causing consistent property damage, you should consult a professional about drainage options. Before that, though, these easy ways to prevent erosion in your yard are a great place to start!
