Understanding Soil Erosion

The EPA states that sediment contamination of our surface waters is the biggest threat to our nations water resources. In Bent Tree, sediment ends ultimately ends up in Lake Tamarack.

What causes erosion?    Soil is eroded by water, wind, or other environmental factors.  When eroded soil moves, it carries along pesticides, fertilizers, and other contaminants with it.  Improper landscaping, lack of ground cover, and construction can intensify erosion impacts.

Why does it matter?  Erosion

·       Destabilized foundations

·       Depletes topsoil

·       Hinders plant growth

·       Causes sediment buildup in waterways

Erosion and sediment build up in a stream

 Sediment loaded water leads to

What can be done to mitigate erosion?

Use Vegetation to minimize erosion

Don’t remove the ‘weeds’ – they help! See specific plant suggestions at the bottom of this article

BERMS

A berm is a rounded / raised structure to slow and direct water runoff. Slowing the water allows sediment to settle out.

Berms can be created by stacking compost (soil, leaves, mulch, rocks, logs).  This can be done with material already on your property.

DIY Berm using rocks

DIY Berm with sticks and leaves

Ground Covers

Bare ground leads to significant erosion. Vegetation is the best cover as it works both above and below ground to slow and absorb water. Native grasses are the best of the best for erosion control. See the list at the bottom of this document for suggestions.

Other ground covers can be mulch, leaves, or gravel.

Dry Creek Bed

A dry creek bed corrects a slope or low spot on your property where excess water flows and causes erosion. A creek bed is a shallow trench lined with landscape fabric (optional) and filled with boulders and stones of various sizes.

 During wet weather, excess surface water is channeled down the creek bed to a suitable exit.

Good plants for slopes!

Herbaceous Perennials - These can be planted by seeds, plug or pot. These species spread well via self-seeding and rhizomes. They are ‘relatively’ deer resistant.

Blue Mistflower

Lance leaved Coreopsis

Spotted Horsemint

Mountain Mint

Grasses and Sedges – deep rooted grasses and sedges can be ideal for a slope. When established they require minimal maintenance.

little Bluestem

switchgrass

purple Love Grass

wiregrass

Indian Grass

river Oats

Blacknell’s Sedge

Cherokee Sedge

Pennsylvania Sedge

common Rush

Ground Cover –  reminder to not plant invasive ground covers like vinca, Asiatic jasmine, or (God forbid) English ivy.

Two options great for part sun / shady areas are GOLDEN RAGWORT / GOLDEN GROUNDSEL (PACKERA AUREA)  or Green and Gold

Virginia Creeper is a great option!