When landscaping your yard, it can be difficult to picture all of the problems that may arise and how to handle them if they do. Many homeowners often overlook basic landscaping maintenance such as erosion or fail to account for the increased runoff volume in certain soil types. This is problematic because heavy rainfall events can cause serious damage to your yard and surrounding areas.
While this problem may not seem serious at first, it can quickly turn into a disaster if it isn’t dealt with on time. Here are six cost-effective ways to handle landscaping erosion problems.
Table of Contents
1. Plant Erosion-Resistant Vegetation
The best way to stop erosion is by preventing it before it begins. One of the simplest ways to prevent this issue is by planting vegetation that naturally resists erosion, such as trees, shrubs, and perennials. For example, if you have a sloped yard that over time has become overgrown with moss strewn throughout the hillside, simply removing this vegetation can cause heavy sediment runoff in heavy rains, which can lead to erosion problems.
2. Install Erosion Control Baskets
Another way of controlling erosion in your yard is by using landscape erosion control baskets. These serve as an alternative to traditional erosion control barriers but are effective all the same. They are typically made out of biodegradable materials such as coconut fibers or wood pulp which form a mesh structure that is supported by reinforcing grids. This basket is then secured at regular intervals using metal pins or stakes.
3. Raise Soil Levels to Contain Runoff
Sometimes, when landscaping your yard, you may notice that water runs off the area much more quickly than expected. This can be caused by grading issues which means that soil levels are not uniform throughout the yard. The best way to handle this problem is by creating small ridges or “terraces” along hillsides and other slopes. By doing this, you’ll slow the flow of water and allow it to infiltrate into the soil properly.
4. Create French Drains using Perforated Drain Pipe
If your yard experiences a large amount of runoff regularly, perhaps due to the presence of a large tree in your yard or an unusually low area where water tends to pool, it might be a good idea to install a French drain. These are trenches filled with a perforated pipe that allows water to slowly infiltrate into the soil below while preventing other areas from getting flooded.
5. Add Ridges and Baffles to Contain Runoff
If your yard is plagued by severe runoff during heavy rains, it may be a good idea to construct a series of ridges that guide water into drainage areas. These should be placed along the downslope side of your yard to channel runoff away from structures such as the house or garage. You can also install fabric or plastic baffles underneath structures such as decks and patios to keep soil from being washed away during heavy rainfalls.
6. Keep Soil Porous by Adding Sand
Finally, you can take preventative measures to help keep your soil porous. This will not only allow water to migrate more quickly into the ground below but also make it easier for grassroots to absorb necessary nutrients. To do this, you simply need to add sand to the soil periodically. This can be done by mixing dry play sand with topsoil in the desired area and then incorporating a shovel or rototiller into your yard.