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Soil Erosion Problems and Solutions

Soil Erosion

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.

The Benefits of Silt Fencing

Whether you’re doing residential remodeling or working on a commercial or industrial project, making sure your site is protected is incredibly important. Many locations have laws requiring you to have erosion protection methods established before you ever break ground, as construction projects can be a cause of serious sediment flow.

Silt fencing is the most common method of protecting local waterways from any sediments disturbed by construction projects. It can be purchased with stakes already attached or with separate stakes and is occasionally buried in the ground as well to prevent water from flowing beneath the fencing. Silt fencing is also generally seen as more effective than wattles, as you can create a higher, more sustainable barrier.

Silt Fencing – the Basics

Silt fencing is usually made of synthetic materials specifically chosen to allow water to flow through while keeping sediment back. Generally, silt fencing is designed to withstand the elements wherever it’s being used; however, it’s important to remember that silt fencing is a passive filtration system and often isn’t designed to withstand a considerable weight of water. If you find water pooling more than a few feet deep in the middle of your silt fencing, you run the risk of the fencing collapsing and the filtration system failing.

Silt fencing is designed as dual-purpose protection. Not only do silt fences help with erosion control, but they’re also integral for sediment control. Silt fencing keeps sediment out of waterways and storm drains, preventing flooding issues and other problems with sediment dispersal.

Synthetic vs. Coir Silt Fencing

Coir silt fencing is a relatively new addition to the lineup of silt fencing options, which are traditionally made from synthetic geotextiles and require dismantling post-construction. Because there are often regulations regarding the type of fencing used, synthetic geotextiles are more common.

However, coir silt fencing has been growing in popularity due to its relatively low cost and sustainable nature. As coir is made from the fibers of coconut husks, it’s an all-natural product that works well on construction sites because of its practical design. Coir silt fencing is generally designed in a honeycomb-inspired sheet, which not only filters sediment from the water but can also catch small sediment pieces that may not be heavy enough to settle in front of the fence.

Coir silt fencing is also biodegradable, meaning that it requires less cleanup when construction is finished. It’s available in several customizable sizes, allowing for better ordering control. Because silt fencing is a necessary part of any construction project, it’s important to consider your options. When you can choose an option that’s eco-friendly, cost-effective, and often works better than the traditional alternative, why wouldn’t you?

Coir silt fencing is a great way to ensure sediment and erosion control at your worksite, no matter how large or small it is. And as suppliers continue to improve quality control and provide better products, coir silt fencing will continue to grow in popularity. Try it for your next construction project!

Top 3 Erosion Control Methods

Water is one of the most powerful forces on Earth. When combined with windy conditions, it can damage even the best-maintained soil and landscapes. Thankfully, there are several erosion control methods you can utilize. By implementing any of these erosion control methods, you can manage erosion and protect the soil and vegetation in your garden or landscaping.

Riprap

Thanks to its durability and ability to withstand adverse weather conditions, riprap is a good erosion control method. Riprap consists of numerous rocks of all shapes and sizes that are tightly locked together. The rocks help hold the soil in place and prevent it from being washed away by water or wind. Riprap can also be used to stabilize the soil around a riverbank or lakeshore, helping keep the bank and shore intact. It is common to see riprap around bridge supports, especially if the bridge is over a body of water.

For landscaping and gardening, rocks can hold the soil in place and mitigate weed growth. If you’re rockscaping, you should use the rocks in conjunction with landscape netting. The combination of rocks and landscape netting will protect the plants and minimize erosion.

Erosion Control Blankets

Erosion control blankets are laid out over areas that have been affected by erosion. These blankets are especially useful when trying to plant on hills or steep slopes. Typically, erosion control blankets are used to protect seeds from scavenging animals and prevent seeds and soil from being swept away by wind or water. In addition, erosion control blankets slow the flow of water, stopping plants and soil from being washed away. Erosion control blankets are versatile and can be adapted to fit any garden or landscape in any climate or environment.

Erosion control blankets are typically made from natural, biodegradable fibers such as coir, but they can also be made from synthetic materials. Coir erosion control blankets are especially good for slopes; the coir fibers absorb and retain water, slowing water as it flows down the slope. The adaptability of coir mats makes them a solid choice for erosion control; they can be used to support and restore banks, shores, and wetlands. Coir is an eco-friendly, organic product, and there is no waste to clean up when you use a coir mat.

Vegetation

Grass, plants, and other types of vegetation are exceptional at controlling erosion. As they grow, the roots from the grass or plants become anchored in the soil, keeping the soil in place. As a plant grows larger, its root system grows larger, and it becomes more able to secure the surrounding soil. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to use supplemental erosion control methods, but the plants themselves function as a natural way to ensure that the soil stays in place.

These erosion control methods can combat erosion in any garden or landscape. If your growing space has been affected by erosion, you should think about utilizing any of these methods to protect your plants and soil.

Tips for Using Silt Bags for Erosion Control

Erosion is a common problem on construction sites and extensive agricultural projects, and there are numerous ways to control erosion on a large scale. Silt bags have been proven to be an effective way to control erosion on construction sites. This guide will explain how silt bags are used for erosion control and give you a few tips for using silt bags yourself.

What Are Silt Bags?

Silt bags are dewatering products manufactured from geotextile fabrics. Dewatering is the process of removing water from a construction area with water pumps. If an area was flooded in the past, it may be necessary to pump water away from the site before beginning construction or excavation. By controlling the movement of sediment, silt bags help construction sites comply with stringent stormwater regulations. 

Silt bags filter sediment and other materials from water. When you utilize silt bags, water flows through the bags and sediment is trapped inside.

Applications

Silt bags are used to filter water and can be used at construction sites, wastewater treatment plants, and any job site where sediment needs to be controlled. It’s necessary to mitigate erosion around construction sites in order to minimize the amount of sediment that is carried into lakes, rivers, and streams. 

Sediment can carry pollutants that are detrimental to wildlife, so it’s important to manage the movement of sediment when possible. Using silt bags at construction sites will help protect nearby wildlife, bodies of water, and natural resources.

You can use coir mats, logs, or netting in conjunction with silt bags at construction sites. Coconut coir fibers have an unmatched ability to retain and absorb water. After the silt bag filters the sediment from the water, coir mats or logs will absorb the water for the surrounding vegetation. In this way, sediment-free water is able to be absorbed into the soil or go down a storm drain. 

In addition, the coir mats, logs, and nettings secure the soil in place, preventing the filtered water from washing away the existing soil. Coir products are eco-friendly and biodegradable and provide essential nutrients to the soil as they decompose. They are wholly organic and leave behind no waste products.

Tips for Using Silt Bags

When you want to use silt bags for erosion control, you should first assess the area and see how you can protect the soil and surrounding vegetation. To prevent further erosion, you should support and stabilize the area.

Instead of throwing away the contents of the silt bag, you can put the silt and sediment back on the area for stabilization and support as long as they don’t contain pollutants or hazardous materials. Check the silt bags frequently for clogs or other impairments and replace the bag if needed.

If it’s necessary to pump water away from your construction site, it’s a good idea to use silt bags to control erosion and sediment movement. Using silt bags for erosion control is good for the environment and allows construction to take place without harming the existing vegetation or soil.

How Soil Erosion Can Affect Soil pH

Soil erosion is generally caused by one of two elements: wind or water. These two elements distribute soil sediments differently during erosion. Depending on the conditions surrounding the erosion, there could be economic and environmental losses. Water and wind erosion affect soil content and may reduce microbe induction while raising soil’s acidity, or pH level, which interferes with growth and yield.

Knowing soil’s pH can provide insight into problems such as crop loss and low yield. When a grower knows and understands these issues, they can take action and prevent further economic losses.

What is pH?

A crucial factor for soil health lies in its pH level. pH, or potential hydrogen, measures the concentration of hydrogen ions in soil. These concentrations determine whether soil is acidic or alkaline. pH levels of 5.5 and under are desirable for producing healthy crops. Subsoils should measure 4.8 or lower for more alkaline soil. The lower the pH level, the less acidity is in the soil.

Soil’s acidity or alkalinity determines whether crops will see their full yield, or be reduced unhealthy, acidic crops. pH levels decide the stability of the land for crop production by the measure of nutrients available for both soil and plant health.

While low pH should not result in production losses, high pH concentrations and acidity disturb the induction of microbes into the soil, which will weaken its overall structure.

What is Soil Erosion

Sheet and gully erosion caused by water can strip topsoil of its nutrients and change soil’s structure so that its underlying subsoils are also compromised. Saltation, an effect of wind erosion, tosses soil particles into the air and carries them great distances. These particles can cause upper respiratory conditions to flare while they blanket homes and roadways, and smother crops.

The environmental impacts of soil erosion are felt in loss of crop yields due to soil compromise and nutrient unavailability. Loss of animal habitat is felt as insects and microbes are partly responsible for soil’s structure and integrity.

Agriculture suffers overall as it is this land stripped bare of its vegetation. It is bare land that is most vulnerable to erosion and resulting acidity. Development also suffers losses as infrastructure is weakened by erosion.

How Does Soil Erosion Affect Soil pH?

Soil that is maximized to maintain its value as a resource to produce healthy, thriving crops is lower in pH for alkaline soil. Reducing high acidity in soil is needed to produce strong crops and prepare the land for the next growing season. 

As erosion occurs, it takes more than just soil. Erosion carries fertilizers and pesticides along with it as it flows or blows. These sediment deposits might affect surrounding soils and spread (or cause) acidity to nearby areas. Because acidic soil is responsible for nutrient deficiencies and toxicities found in plants, balancing pH is a crucial component to economic health.

As erosion contributes to a rise in the water table, and because pH is usually higher in moist soils, water erosion poses serious consequences to soil’s balance and stability. As acidity accumulates, it might affect surrounding areas by furthering the imbalance and making it that much more difficult to correct or offset the damage.

Managing Acidic Soils

Once pH levels are high in topsoils, underlying subsoil horizons might also be affected. If the parent layer, or O horizon, becomes too acidic, the fight to bring back balance intensifies. Knowing the pH levels of planting ground before the first crops go in is a wise move to prevent unexpected disaster.

Fortunately, there are methods a grower can use to reduce soil acidity and bring pH levels to their ideal levels for their incoming crops.

  • Applying the proper amount of nitrogen and sulfur fertilizers can have a positive effect on pH and lower its levels over time. The key is adding the proper amounts of fertilizer at the appropriate time depending on the crop’s needs.
  • Liming is a tried-and-true method of lowering soil pH. However, this method has proven to be time-consuming and labor-intensive. Moreover, not every farm can afford to purchase lime to control pH. Liming’s effects tend to last a short time and may contribute to nutrient deficiencies in the soil. Liming may also trigger a decline in microbes, compromising soil’s crucial make-up.
  • Cropping practices that improve soil’s organic matter and soil’s overall health is the ideal method of reducing soil pH. Geotextiles in natural fibers like coir can be used in strip planting and terracing to serve double duty: reduce effects of erosion and balance soil pH. Coir’s neutral pH makes it an ideal accompaniment for soil to maintain its overall structure and integrity.

How to Test Soil pH

Testing soil pH is relatively simple and can be performed with various measurement techniques. Be sure to test soil in more than one location for an accurate pH range.

  • PH kit with pH paper: Look for kits that contain a relatively broad pH level scale of 1-14. Some kits may concentrate the range with reading levels between 4.5-10. This method tests soil by adding in a little water then dipping the strip in the soil to take a pH reading. 
  • Soil pH meter: These meters are used by pushing the probe into the soil to read the meter’s measurement. 

How to Prevent pH Imbalances in the Soil

Reducing runoff and erosion are key components in maintaining soil’s ideal pH. Protecting bare land with added vegetation and the use of geotextiles is warranted and recommended to reduce the effects of soil nutrient loss. Additionally, frequent soil testing can alert growers to potential problems before they plant the first seeds.

Soil is composed of many elements for a reason. A living, evolving material, soil’s make-up can be compromised by excessive erosion or runoff that not only affects the growing topsoil but the supporting horizons beneath. Soil pH doesn’t have to be complicated to maintain, and with a little diligence and regular testing, soil will sound the alarm when there may be something wrong.