What's the most affordable erosion control solution?
Written by
Nguyen Minh
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.Erosion control does not have to be costly. I have protected entire properties with free and inexpensive resources. Start with your neighbors' periwinkle groundcover cuttings, which will spread quickly, at no cost, and within weeks will cover bare soil. Use fallen leaves for instant mulch protection.
Natural Mulching
- Collect autumn leaves for 3-inch protective layers
- Use grass clippings between garden rows
- Apply straw from local farms as temporary cover
Plant Propagation
- Divide existing groundcovers like ivy or pachysandra
- Root willow cuttings in drainage ditches
- Transplant native grass clumps from woodland edges
Land Contouring
- Create shallow swales using hand tools
- Build mini-terraces with repurposed bricks
- Form diversion berms with excavated soil
Clover planting is incredibly cheap. Fixing nitrogen. I have been sowing seeds in the fall ahead of rain to allow for quick germination. I even use white clover dynamically in combination with grass seed for long-lived lawns. Working together like a living mat, a clover lawn reduces erosion by 40% and feeds the soil. All it takes to keep it up is mowing, only being sure to leave clippings in thick turf.
Construct rock barriers using stones that are free for the taking. Collect fieldstones from the edges of the property. Then, pile them on top of the runoff paths. Angle the stones so that they send the water the way you want. I build dry creek beds that look natural while controlling the water flow. These often have low maintenance costs for years.
Use contour farming for a vegetable garden. Turn planting rows at 90 degrees to slopes. Simple practice will create natural water breaks. I use hand tools and create only 3-inch ridges between crops. These will catch water and reduce runoff (60%) with no cost.
Seasonally maintain your low-cost solutions. Put a fresh layer of leaf mulch on before winter. Divide your overly crowded groundcovers in the spring. After a storm, check the rock placements. I dedicate one weekend every month to erosion control. It's worth it, and helps mitigate small problems from growing into costly issues.
Effective erosion control can be achieved on any budget. Your initial expenditure can be as low as $...... through free strategies, such as using mulch. Additionally, you can add clover or rocks as your budget allows. In just one season, you will see a tremendous amount of soil retention. I've transformed very eroded properties with just the power of nature, and honestly, minimal effort.
Read the full article: 9 Effective Ways to Prevent Soil Erosion
