What are practical ways to prevent soil erosion?
Written by
Benjamin Miller
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.Crops in danger of being washed away by soil erosion? You're looking for practical solutions to protect your land in all senses of the word. Contour farming to slow run-off on slopes; crops covering the bare ground with a protective layer; no-till farming to avoid breaking down that vital upper crust; wind-breaks protecting fields from damaging winds; and silt fences catching the damaging soil before it has a chance to float away.
Contour farming alters the way you plant on hillsides. You plant in the curves of the land where the contours are less steep. It literally makes a "dam" against the force of water flow over your fields. On slopes of from five to fifteen per cent, it reduces erosion by one-half. Your crops are less likely to be washed from the soil. I have been practicing this for twenty years. It saves my corn in a storm!
Cover Cropping
- Plant rye or clover between main crop seasons
- Roots hold soil particles together tightly
- Adds organic matter as plants decompose
- Reduces weed growth naturally
Windbreak Installation
- Space trees 4-6 meters apart perpendicular to winds
- Use conifers for year-round protection
- Cuts wind speed by 50% at ground level
- Creates wildlife habitat corridors
No-Till Farming
- Leave crop residues as natural mulch layer
- Maintains earthworm tunnels for water absorption
- Saves 3-5 gallons of fuel per acre
- Increases water retention by 30%
Silt fences are used for immediate protection while construction occurs. Built across a slope, space them at intervals of 10-15 meters. They catch over 80% of the sediment. Check their effectiveness after a heavy rain. I put them up on all my job sites. It also keeps your project compliant.
Combine methods for optimal results by pairing cover crops with no-till. Add windbreaks around fields. Your land becomes resilient. Soil stays fertile longer. Water quality improves downstream. Start with one technique. Expand as you see success.
Read the full article: 10 Proven Ways to Prevent Soil Erosion
