SoilErosion.com

Soil Erosion Problems and Solutions

Geotextile

Why You Should Apply Jute Netting to Your Garden

Netting made from jute can be very useful in your home garden or landscaping project as a method to prevent erosion and encourage plant growth. Jute netting helps reduce soil erosion and provides cover for regrowth. Try these tips for using jute erosion control netting in your garden.

Erosion Control Blankets

Erosion control blankets are biodegradable, open-weave blankets that create short-term shelter for seeding and establishing vegetation on bare and sloped landscapes. You might have seen large erosion control blankets on roadsides, where they are often placed to support emergent vegetation (normally grass) for erosion prevention.

These blankets are made of natural, biodegradable fiber — often jute, straw, or coir. The natural material protects bare soil and newly seeded areas against rain and wind. This allows seeds to germinate and grow root systems, which will eventually lead to established plants. As plants or grasses grow through the mesh, they are stabilized. Later, the erosion control netting decomposes to allow further growth. 

Benefits of Jute Netting

Made from the woven fibers of the jute plant, jute netting, or mesh, is a biodegradable, natural, and flexible material used for temporary erosion control and selective plant establishment. Jute mesh has openings in the weaves, which trap seeds and provide a protective environment for germination. This mesh allows light and water to pass through, encouraging strong plant growth and enhanced mineral content in the soil. 

How to Use Jute in Your Garden

Jute netting can help prevent erosion on riverbanks, embankments, slopes, and other landscape features. It is commonly applied to roadside and general landscaping, garden and plant beds, wetland and land reclamation, and to protect other land features prone to erosion. 

Erosion control netting can also be applied alone as an alternative to wood chips or straw, on flat sites as a method of dust control, or to support seed germination. To use jute mesh correctly, first you must clear away debris and excess weeds from the slope or plain where you plan to place the netting. Apply netting up and down the slope, never along the contour. Anchor the netting every few feet as you go, and overlap sections. 

This material doesn’t work in every situation where soil erosion and water runoff is a problem. Jute netting will not be helpful in areas with steep, sandy slopes, very rocky hills, or significant fire-burned vegetation. It should also not be used in areas where runoff is expected to be high. 

You might want to try coir blankets for areas with slightly higher runoff and erosion problems. On average, coir mats provide solid support for up to five years, which is enough time to allow vegetation to take root, grow, and stabilize. In addition, coir blankets and mats are relatively easy to install. 

Most gardeners will find jute erosion control netting useful as a way of protecting their soil from wind and water damage, as seeds take time to germinate and become established. Use these tips when using jute in your garden, and add coir blankets for bigger erosion problems.

Landscape Netting for Slopes

If it seems impossible to keep your growing space seeded due to adverse conditions, then you might need landscape netting for slopes. Landscape netting is beneficial for shielding and keeping seeds in place and is easy to install in gardens or landscaped areas.

What Is Landscape Netting?

In certain areas, such as on slopes or hills, vegetation might not grow well due to many factors. The seeds might not be able to stay in one place because of the slope, or the area might be affected by wind or water erosion. Thus, landscape netting protects the seeds and keeps them from being swept away by water or windy conditions.

Additionally, birds or other animals might be eating the seeds, leaving fewer to grow into plants. Because landscape netting defends the seeds, they can grow and flourish into seedlings and, ultimately, mature plants. Without protection from landscape netting, the seeds and seedlings might never have the chance to reach full maturity.

Landscape Netting Uses and Applications

Landscape netting is manufactured in many shapes and sizes. Typically, it’s made of coir (the durable, all-natural fibers from coconut husks), jute, straw, or synthetic materials. If you’re concerned about your ecological footprint, you could use a coir, jute, or straw variety of landscape netting for slopes, as these materials are all biodegradable and eco-friendly thanks to their natural fibers.

It’s wise to use landscape netting for slopes and other areas characterized by hilly terrain. In addition to slopes, landscape netting can also be advantageous in areas prone to erosion. You can apply landscape netting to small areas as well as large-scale landscaping or agricultural projects. No matter where you install the landscape netting, you can be confident in its ability to maintain and control erosion.

How to Use Landscape Netting for Slopes

First, prepare the installation area by removing any debris, and then compact the soil. Next, you will need to till the top few inches of soil where you’re installing the netting. Now you’re ready to plant and seed the area as you would normally. It’s important to dig a small trench at the top of the slope to secure the landscape netting in place. Once you have secured the netting to the trench using staples or stakes, backfill the trench and compact the surrounding soil. 

The next step is to unroll the landscape netting from the trench and down the slope. Keep pulling the netting taut, as it should be flat against the soil. After the netting covers the slope, anchor it to the soil. Finally, you’ll need to dig another trench at the bottom of the slope to hold the end of the netting so it doesn’t shift. Don’t forget to water the slope thoroughly once you’ve finished installing the netting. Over time, the netting will degrade into the soil.

Landscape netting has many advantages and will assist you in growing any kind of vegetation in any environment. Try landscape netting for slopes to keep your seeds safe from the elements.

Products to Help Prevent Soil Erosion

Soil erosion is usually caused by one of two environmental events — wind or water.

Wind erosion occurs in flat, bare areas where land may have recently been cultivated or in dry, sandy areas where soil might be loose or unstable. Wind erosion lifts soil particles into the air and deposits sediment over great distances. Preventing soil erosion due to wind involves stabilizing the soil, increasing its moisture content, and encouraging it to form clumps and clods, making it more difficult to move.

Soil erosion caused by water produces drastic changes across a landscape. As surface soil is washed away, vital nutrients go with it, compromising seed and plant growth. Cultivated land is susceptible to sheet erosion when the soil becomes overwhelmed by the rush of water and can’t absorb moisture or filter the water. Combatting erosion from water involves shoring up ditches and culverts, as well as creating dams to divert water’s progress or slow it down.

Causes of Soil Erosion

Rainfall and runoff contribute to soil erosion by carrying soil away and leaving behind sediment, pesticides, and fertilizers in its path. Wind does much the same, except dust clouds from suspension erosion can travel vast distances to blanket regions or smother crops with sediment.

Soil’s vulnerability to erosion might dictate how extensive damage might be but may also provide clues to preventing erosion or minimizing its impacts.

Slope length, land topography, and elevation contribute to soil erosion. Mudslides are a common sight when erosion from water sends sheets of topsoil to slide over itself and dislodge. Accumulating structures like sand dunes created from deposits left from wind erosion are likely to be lifted and carried into the air over and over during a wind event.

Vegetation, or the lack of it, plays a vital role in keeping soil stable and stationary. Roots from growing plants help bind soil together to make it harder to move. Trees can provide soil protection from the wind by making it more difficult for wind to reach the soil.

Effects of Soil Erosion

Economic impacts include crop loss, loss of soil fertility, and repairs or restorations to regions affected by soil erosion. Infrastructure might be weakened and roadways compromised due to accumulating sediment or runoff.

The environmental impacts of soil erosion can be seen in several influences. Wind erosion might strip the land of its topsoil surface and compromise substructures or rooting plants. Water erosion can stress rivers and streams and cause their protective banks to collapse under water’s driving force. 

In regard to the impacts on human health, wind erosion can cause dust and dirt particles to be lifted into the air and possibly blown through windows, exacerbating allergies or upper-respiratory issues. Water erosion compromises agriculture and might result in low-quality produce. Both types of erosion wash away fertilizers and pesticides, carrying them over the land to deposit in rivers or streams or via wind, tainting air and water quality. 

Preventative Measures

Today’s market offers many soil erosion control products in varying applications that can help minimize the impact. Whether their use is for road construction or to provide stabilization and filtration, there are products that can meet and exceed expectations. 

Geotextiles help control erosion and come in several different shapes, types, and textures depending on the purpose it will serve. Geotextiles come in three main forms: woven, non-woven, and coir. These textiles are useful in the preventative practices of strip farming and terracing.

Woven Geotextiles

Woven geotextiles and fabrics are made from several different fiber types. Their tight construction stabilizes soil and are effective for erosion control. These geotextiles are often used in road construction and shoreline erosion control. Woven geotextiles are put to work in regions of heavy erosion, in riprap, and on embankments and slopes to minimize runoff and wall collapse.

Non-woven Geotextiles

Non-woven geotextiles are used for their smooth, felt-like surface that allows water to flow through the fabric while still filtering particles. Non-woven geotextiles are used in areas that require subsurface filtration and stabilization and provide adequate drainage. Non-woven geotextiles are often found in asphalt overlays and in the understructure of ponds. 

Coir textiles

Coir textiles are made from the husk of the coconut and provide a natural solution to erosion control. Coir textiles allow for deep rooting and provide nutrients to support the growth and development of vegetation. Coir supplies adequate aeration and drainage to allow for permanent vegetation to grow through. Coir works to hold seeds and saplings in place and is safe for wildlife. Coir needs no chemical treatment. 

Coir is used to create check dams — small dam constructions across ditches or swales to slow the flow of water or divert its movement. It also adds to existing contours in order to build up the land or fill rills or gullies. Because coir’s life span is two to five years, it is used for short-term, temporary, and semi-permanent solutions. Coir comes in various forms in order to utilize it to its full potential. 

  • Coir wattles create a natural barrier to filter water. Coir wattles are used for their strength and filtration qualities and make wattles ideal for new construction sites to minimize impact. They’re also found in restoration projects to help prevent future damage.
  • Coir erosion control blankets are used to increase soil stability. They are effective in decreasing the effects of wind and water erosion and are often used on slopes or areas sensitive to erosion. In climates where there is a lot of shade or cold temperatures increase seed germination time, coir erosion blankets are used to protect and nurture seeds.
  • Coir logs work in the same way as wattles and blankets, but their shape makes them ideal for use in areas of erosion and runoff such as hills, banks, and shorelines.

More is understood today about how soil erosion impacts the environment, economy, and health. With this knowledge in mind, products on the market are designed to perform various functions in order to stem the tide and offset the wind.

How Dewatering Bags Help With Soil Erosion

Soil erosion causes silt, sand, and dirt to collect in streams and surrounding properties. This can be damaging to landscapes and construction. To address soil erosion in these situations, dewatering bags are an economical and practical option. Dewatering bags remove sediment and silt from a site by filtering water through geotextile material. There various sizes and capacities of bags to suit your needs.

Dewatering Bag Overview

Dewatering bags are designed to filter sludge, sediment, and silt from a work site, construction site, or another field of operation. Bags are placed strategically on a site, and water is directed into them. As the water moves through the geotextile fabric of the dewatering bag, sediment is captured inside for later disposal. 

There are many benefits to dewatering bags. They remove water from silt and soil without a container, reduce waste volume, use internal pressure for dewatering, remove contaminants from water, can be used in hard-to-access locations, and are relatively easy to use. Each bag’s structural integrity and flow depends on the soil type and area.

Bags are available in different sizes and with various filter properties. Fabric ratings determine how quickly and thoroughly water can filter out, which allows you to estimate pumping rates. The capacity of dewatering bags is based on soil composition, site conditions, and use. You will only know what a dewatering bag is capable of on your site once it’s been field-tested.

Discharge Hose

Each bag is designed to handle a certain size discharge hose. This is how water is guided from the point of origin to the dewatering bag. Most bags have holes designed for a specific-size tube. Alternatively, you can make a small incision in the fabric to allow a hose to be fed through. Once placed, tie the fabric to the hose using wire, ties, ropes, or other materials to seal the entrance. 

Bag Placement

Dewatering bags are rugged but not indestructible. To get the best results from dewatering bags, it’s important to place them appropriately. Be sure to look for sharp rocks or edges before placing the bag to avoid rupturing the fabric. They are not recommended for use on steep slopes, as the bags can roll. 

It’s also a good idea to find a porous surface on which to lay the bag, as this will allow the filtered water to soak quickly into the ground. It’s also important to direct water runoff or place the bag somewhere that won’t result in further soil erosion. 

Complying With Regulations

Dewatering bags can also help your job site or location stay in compliance with both local and federal stormwater regulations. Some states and cities have regulations that differ from national guidelines, so it’s important to research these requirements before installing dewatering bags. 

When it comes to preventing and addressing soil erosion, there are a lot of products on the market. One of the easiest and most economical solutions is dewatering bags. Try dewatering bags to address soil erosion on your property, construction site, dredging area, and more.

Stabilization Fabric: Woven vs Non-Woven

As its name suggests, stabilization fabric is a stabilizer and an effective erosion control method. Stabilization fabric is also important for roads and other structures, in that it helps the structure support massive amounts of weight consistently. This review will cover woven and non-woven stabilization fabric as well as uses and applications of stabilization fabric.

What Is Stabilization Fabric?

Stabilization fabric, referred to as geotextile, is used across many industries and has countless uses and applications. Geotextiles provide an abundance of benefits to the area in which they are installed. This durable stabilization fabric is used for soil stabilization, to separate soil from rock, to assist with filtering and drainage, and as an erosion control method. Stabilization fabric can be woven or non-woven and can be customized for use on any kind of project and in any capacity.

Woven Stabilization Fabric

Woven stabilization fabric is manufactured through a meticulous weaving process. Thanks to its design, woven stabilization fabric is incredibly strong, making it a viable solution for heavy-duty projects such as road construction. Because this stabilization fabric is woven tightly together, it’s not ideal for projects involving draining or filtering.

Woven stabilization fabric is made to be long-lasting, so it’s a good choice for long-term projects. Woven stabilization fabric is the layer of extra support that roads and rock structures require for maximum stabilization and security. Without this protective layer, water would flow through cracks in the road or pavement and damage the underlying soil, which would weaken the road’s overall structure. This fabric helps extend the lives of roads and highways.

Non-Woven Stabilization Fabric

Non-woven stabilization fabric is commonly made by fusing various synthetic materials together using chemicals or heat. Despite being composed of synthetic materials, non-woven fabric is durable, versatile, and allows water to pass through it easily. The porosity of non-woven stabilization fabric allows it to filter water while holding the soil in place. 

Non-woven stabilization fabric is most effective when used for filtering or separating purposes on large-scale construction projects or smaller landscaping projects. When used for separating, non-woven stabilization fabric provides a layer of support between the soil and riprap. 

Uses and Applications

Stabilization fabric can be used in conjunction with soil and rock for many purposes throughout a wide range of industries. Stabilization fabric’s primary uses include separating soil from rock, stabilizing soil, draining a location of flooding water, filtering water, supporting storm drains, and protecting areas against erosion.

Stabilization fabric can be implemented underneath roads or airport runways to support the soil. Additionally, stabilization fabric can be found on construction sites as a layer of protection for the soil. Woven stabilization fabric can be applied to pavement, roads, railroads, building structures, and riprap.

Stabilization fabric is another line of defense in the battle against erosion, and it has a variety of supplemental uses, as well. Any kind of stabilization fabric will benefit the area in which it’s installed, as you can never have too much support for soil in areas affected by erosion.