The methods for erosion control that work best fall into three main groups you should know about. Vegetative methods use plants to hold soil in place with their roots. Structural methods use walls and channels to direct water flow away from problem areas. Surface protection methods use mulch and blankets to shield bare ground from rain impact.
I tested all three erosion control techniques on slopes around my property. The planted slope held up best during storms once grass filled in after about six months. My rock channel worked great at first but needed repairs every spring after freeze thaw cycles shifted stones. The mulched area kept the soil safe until wind scattered my wood chips across the yard.
My neighbor tried a different mix of methods on her back lot that taught me even more. She used plants on the gentle upper slope and added a rock swale at the base to catch runoff. That combo handled every storm we have had over three years without any bare spots showing up on her land.
Each method fights a different type of erosion attack on your land that you should understand well. Plant roots weave through soil and bind particles together so they resist being pulled apart by water. Structures change where water goes so it does not hit your weak spots with full force. Surface covers break raindrop impact before drops can blast soil loose from the ground.
Oklahoma State data shows just how bad erosion gets on bare disturbed ground around building sites. These areas lose 100 to 500 tons of soil per acre every year when left open and bare. That rate would strip all topsoil from your land within just a few years of exposure. Most real sites need more than one erosion prevention method working at once to stop losses that bad.
Plants give you the cheapest long term soil erosion solutions for most slope problems you will face. Seeds cost just dollars per acre and the plants spread on their own after they get going in your soil. Roots keep working year after year without any help from you once your plants fill in and mature. The main downside is that plants take months to establish before they protect your ground.
Structural fixes work fast but cost more and need upkeep over time to stay effective for you. Rock walls and channels start working the day you build them on your property site. They handle heavy water flow better than plants can in their first year or two of growth. Budget for repairs though since storms and frost heave shift your stones around each winter season.
Surface covers bridge the gap while you wait for permanent erosion prevention methods to kick in. Straw mulch costs little and protects bare soil within hours of spreading it around your slope. Erosion blankets hold up better on steep slopes where loose mulch would slide off the surface. Both break down over time which is fine since your plants should fill in before they rot away.
Pick your methods based on how steep your slope is and what your budget allows for the work. Gentle slopes under 3:1 ratio often need just plants and maybe some mulch to stay stable over time. Steep slopes above 2:1 need structural help along with plants for lasting results. Combine two or three approaches on your worst spots for the best chance of success.
Read the full article: 15 Best Erosion Control Plants for Slopes
