Erosion Control Made Easy

Erosion has the potential to cause serious problems if left unchecked. For gardeners, it can cause the loss of nutrient-rich topsoil. For those in construction, it can alter the landscape and pollute nearby waterways. Getting erosion under control is essential in preserving both topography and soil nutrients.

Surface cover is the first line of defense in controlling erosion. Ground cover reduces the impact of rain and wind removing bare soils while also reducing the speed of water flowing over the soil. There are a variety of ground covers/blankets that can be used. Here is a quick guide to installing ground cover blankets. 

1) Prepare the surface by removing large stones and slope the ground to the desired grade

2) Add any soil amendments before installing the blanket such as compost, mulch, lime or fertilizer.

3) Plant ground cover seeds as directed and dig a small trench across the top of the slope to act as an anchor (typically 6” wide by 6” deep)

4) Place approximately one foot of the blanket above the trench extending up the hill and use anchoring staples to secure the blanket placing them no more than 12” apart. Fill trench with soil and compress to hold the roll in place.

5) Seed dirt covering the trench and bring the 12” of blanket down over the seeded trench. Install more anchoring as needed. 

6) Unroll remaining blanket over seeded slope. If more than one roll is required, be sure the rolls overlap by 3” and install anchors or staples on overlapped seems to reduce the amount of pull/weight on the erosion control blanket.