Best Plants To Use For Soil Erosion

Soil erosion is a variety of dirt degradation that results in the displacement of the top layer of topsoil on the earth's surface. This topsoil can be displaced for a number of reasons, including wind, water, and mass movement. Hillsides are particularly vulnerable to breakdown, as are windy areas unprotected by tall plant cover or trees. In the last 150 years, half of the earth's topsoil has disappeared due to breakdown.

What Is Soil Erosion

In your own yard, topsoil brakedown can be equally dangerous. Brakedown degrades the nutrient content and salinity of affected topsoil, which can severely limit the number of plants that can flourish in the ground. Salinity and nutrient deficiency in topsoil can render a previously healthy patch of topsoil inhospitable to many plants, and anything planted will struggle to thrive. It can lead to more tiers of pollution, the sedimentation and clogging of rivers and streams, and dehydration of topsoil. Untreated topsoil brakedown can also cause flooding, which leads to a myriad of damage, as any homeowner knows.

Fortunately, there are many effective practices that can prevent topsoil brakedown and restore a topsoil bed that is already affected. In this article, we will primarily look at the various ways in which plants can effectively combat topsoil brakedown. Planting the right vegetation will restore and repair topsoil to its original quality, ensuring the topsoil will be able to maintain other, more particular plants in the future. Ground cover plants are helpful due to their extensive root systems, which help keep topsoil in place. Hardy, low-maintenance plants are best to combat topsoil brakedown, as they will be able to flourish in topsoil that has become degraded in quality.

Once composted back into the topsoil, they will raise the nutrient quality as well. Plants also can break strong winds and prevent them from eroding the topsoil. Maintaining plant cover is essential to keeping topsoil in place, and perennial or evergreen plants will ensure that the topsoil remains held in place season after season. Additionally, choosing plants with extensive and deep-growing root systems will ensure that the topsoil is not simply held by itself, like a blanket over the deeper ground, as this can result in the entire layer of topsoil being blown away by water or wind.

TN Nursery provides high-quality plants, and our mail-in online nursery is a convenient and educational resource for your specific needs. The following are three of our top options in your fight against topsoil brakedown. All are drought-resistant ground cover plants with little to no maintenance and are, therefore, ideal methods of topsoil treatment.

English Ivy Helps With Soil Erosion

The first option is the excellent English ivy plant, a climbing evergreen that is also known to be an effective air purifier. As an English ivy plant requires very little maintenance and spreads quickly, it grows in many different types of topsoil. An attractive option as well is English ivy, which provides lovely green leaves that provide complete cover and rarely need pruning. English ivy looks great around trees, climbing up the side of a house or fence, or even as complete ground cover in an area of your topsoil that needs to be fully restored. You can buy it here.

Vinca Minor Is Great For Soil Erosion

You may also consider vinca minor plants, more commonly known as Periwinkle. The delicate sky-blue or pale lavender flowers of these plants make them a wonderful option for ground cover that is as effective as it is charming. The Vinca minor plants are also drought-resistant, making them an ideal choice for topsoil that has lost moisture due to brakedown. These beautiful plants prefer sunny areas but tolerate shade well, making them ideal for covering large areas, including spots under trees. It also does well in the winter and may even survive snow, making it a good choice for eroded topsoil, which needs to be held in place year-round. They are conveniently available from TN Nursery here.

Pachysandra Procumbens

The pachysandra procumbens, also known as Allegheny spurge, is a shrubby ground cover that can reach a foot in height. This plant tolerates shade and sun and is drought-resistant, but does bleach in harsh, direct sunlight. A pretty feature of the pachysandra procumbens is its fragrant white flowers, which bloom in early spring. This plant is an excellent option for topsoil that is not severely dehydrated and needs to be kept in place in heavily shaded areas. It is low-maintenance and does not require much particular care, and it is available here.

For alternative options, TN Nursery has provided you with a list of available ground cover plants whose search is customization for your area and climate zone.

Aside from plants, mulching is another effective method of combating topsoil brakedown. If your topsoil brakedown affects a hillside area, contour farming or terracing is also an option. Silt fencing or terraseeding are also possibilities for cases that demand a bit more. Also, be aware that the topsoil drainage of the affected area may need to be improved. Some of these methods, in combination with thoughtful plant cover, can effectively combat topsoil brakedown and replenish moisture and nutrients in the affected topsoil.

Best Plants for Soil Erosion Control

If you're looking to tame those tricky slopes and stabilize your land, picking the right plants is like finding a reliable partner. The key is to go for varieties with deep root systems that not only hold soil in place but also enhance the beauty of your landscape. Here's a roundup of great plants that can help manage soil erosion while adding a touch of charm to your property.

Grasses are a fantastic option for erosion control. Take Switchgrass, for example-this native plant has roots that dig deep into the earth. It stands strong through harsh conditions and is a natural barrier against runoff. Another great choice is Buffalo Grass, which is low-maintenance and offers impressive ground coverage without much effort. These grasses do more than anchor the soil; they provide a lush, green carpet that looks delightful throughout the year.

Ground covers can also make a significant impact. Creeping Phlox brings vibrant colors and spreads quickly across troublesome spots with its dense foliage and blossoms. Ajuga, often called Bugleweed, is another reliable pick known for its striking purple flowers and adaptability to varying light conditions. These plants form a natural barrier that slows water flow and traps sediment, making them perfect for steep banks and bare areas.

Native Shrubs for Erosion Prevention

Shrubs offer more than visual appeal; they're essential to controlling erosion. Add Black Willow or Red Osier Dogwood to areas near creeks or low spots. These shrubs boast fibrous root systems that bind the soil together while thriving in wet conditions. Plus, their colorful foliage and seasonal interest bring added texture and life to your yard.

For areas that endure drought, Indigo Bush or Sumac are excellent choices. Both can flourish in more challenging environments, anchoring loose soil and preventing erosion where rainfall is scarce. Their resilience makes them ideal for those neglected corners of your property where other plants might struggle to survive.

By choosing plants for erosion control, you're not just safeguarding the land but enhancing it. These selections work harmoniously with nature, fostering wildlife, improving water quality, and creating a vibrant landscape. By blending grasses, ground covers, and shrubs, you can develop a layered system that secures soil and gives your property a polished, natural appearance.

Let the right plants do the heavy lifting for you. Your yard will remain stable with patience and thoughtful selection, no matter what challenges Mother Nature brings.