We all want our backyards to look just like those backyards from movies – tidy, gorgeous and inviting. Well, sometimes things such as soil erosion may spoil our fantasy of having a perfect home with even better backyards.
However, there are ways to prevent soil erosion in a few ways and here we will describe all of them so you can have your perfect yard again.
Contents
Identify the problem
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In order to be able to deal with the issue, you must understand why soil erosion occurs in the first place. Soil erosion is a process, which can be a good thing, because you will have plenty of time to develop a strategy to fight it. There are certain signs that you need to pay close attention to when it comes to identifying the problems in your backyard as soil erosion:
– wet patches – these are puddles that are gathered and settled near the run-off from the back yard, because the water washes away the soil
– cracks emerge when the soil gets displaced, so you start to notice them more and more. They occur because of the increased dryness of the soil and a loss of the soil rich in nutrients
– gullies usually appear where the soil and water run-off
– dry plants – if you notice that the plants get dry in a certain part of your yard, you can be sure that this is the risky area of your yard. The reason behind it is that the plants need nutrients in order to grow. If they are getting dry, that means that they don’t have the nutrients they need.
The reasons behind soil erosion
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The water is the main factor that causes soil erosion. During the periods of heavy rains, streams may start to form which may wash away the soil and cause erosion. Water is very powerful and during periods with heavy rain, you must be really careful and take all the necessary steps so you can prevent it as much as possible. Another very important factor is the wind, particularly if the soil is very similar to sand. Because the soil granules are very lightweight, they can easily get blown away by strong winds.
Besides these two powerful factors, it is important to mention that in most cases the soil that is under the highest risk is nearly or completely bare. Soil is more stable when there are weeds, plants and roots over and in it. They keep the soil in one place, reducing the chance of erosion to a minimum. Also , factors such as soil acidity, drainage or very low level of nutrients in the soil are all very important and can contribute greatly to the overall state of your backyard. It is important to make your soil in the backyard stable as much as possible, so you can decrease the risk to the highest extent.
What to do to prevent soil erosion?
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In case you want to clear the soil during fall, so you can grow a certain crop when the spring comes, then consider planting a cover crop so it can protect your soil in the interim. Not only do they prevent the erosion of soil, they also improve the level of organic matter and prevent the weeds from taking over your entire backyard. Also, it will add various nutrients to the ground and improve the way your backyard looks.
If you don’t know what is good to plant, here are a few suggestions – thyme, sedum, dianthus, lamb’s ear and creeping phlox. These plans don’t grow too high, but they can protect your soil from erosion and are very easy to maintain, so they will not take too much of your time. If you need help with preventing erosion, check Erizon for more information.
Use mulch a lot. When you start working in your backyard, make sure you spread out lots of mulch. Not only will it prevent the weeds from growing, but they will also keep your soil stable. Every time you notice that the layer is getting thinner, add a little bit more of straw, shredded bark and wood chips.
Make a plan for watering
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There is no way to influence how much rain will fall, it is out of our power. However, strategically put sprinklers and avoid watering the areas that don’t have many plans and are especially prone to erosion. It is wise to plan ahead and to place the plants in groups, so it is easier to target one area for watering. Plan well when you will water your backyard. The best thing is to water it a few times a week, rather than water it lightly every day. Also, the quantity of water will depend on the weather conditions, so if it’s raining heavily during summer, reduce the number of watering, and if the heat is extensive, then increase the number of watering for the week, so your plants don’t dry out. Generally, recommendation is to water the plants in the morning when it’s not too hot, but if you have kids and they like to play in the yard then this time may not be the right for you. Plan ahead depending on your needs and habits.
With all this information, we are hoping that it will be easier for you to deal with soil erosion efficiently and quickly, so you can have the backyard you were dreaming of. Assess all the risks and create a plan that will enable you to stop further erosion. Plants are your allies in this process, so make sure you choose the right ones for your garden. Besides the looks, it is necessary that they have strong roots because they will keep the soil stable. Make a plan and break it down into steps, so you can implement it easier. Keep a close eye on your soil and react properly as soon as you notice the first signs of soil erosion.
