How can homeowners prevent soil erosion in yards?
Written by
Kiana Okafor
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.In residential neighborhoods, property owners face unique challenges related to erosion. Rainwater is discharged upon lawns and cement drives at a greater velocity than in natural conditions. The wash is liable to carry soil to the storm sewers, resulting in property damage. The steep slopes bordering the foundations of the buildings cause a distinct danger to structural integrity. Erosion problems in urban districts require efficient solutions for the homeowners.
Ground Cover Installation
- Plant ivy, pachysandra, or creeping juniper for surface protection
- Achieve 80% coverage within 6 months for effective results
- Reduces erosion 90% compared to bare soil
- Costs $2-5 per square foot depending on plant selection
Rain Garden Construction
- Create shallow depressions with native water-loving plants
- Handles runoff from 300-500 sq ft roof areas effectively
- Filters 85% pollutants while recharging groundwater
- Installation costs $10-20 per square foot DIY or professional
Mulch Application
- Apply 5-8cm wood chip or straw layers around plants
- Absorbs rainfall impact reducing soil displacement 95%
- Replenish annually or after heavy storms
- Costs $30-60 per cubic yard delivered
Sloped yards require special considerations. Gradients of less than 15% will benefit from buffer strips along property lines. Moderate slopes, ranging from 15% to 30%, require terracing with railroad ties or stones to prevent erosion. Steep slopes need geotextile mats combined with deeply planted plants for stability.
To achieve total protection of property from erosion, use a combination of solutions. It is advisable to install rain gardens at all downspout outlets, to catch any runoff from the roof and surround them with mulched planting beds that will filter that water. On the slopes above, ground covers should be used. This combined method of stopping erosion would eliminate 95% of erosion problems encountered in residential properties.
Seasonally maintain your erosion controls. Be sure to clean the debris from the delivery routes to the basin area after fall leaf drop. Inspect the slopes every spring to identify and replant any bare spots. Refresh mulch before winter storms move through. Good maintenance will extend the effectiveness of your solutions by 5-10 years, resulting in long-term savings to you.
Read the full article: 10 Soil Erosion Prevention Methods That Work
