We work so hard on creating memorable and vibrant landscapes that when certain issues come up they can immediately through us off of our game. The truth is that successful landscaping is all about how you react when problems start to arise. Most landscapers will have to deal with their own unique set of issues from time to time, so it pays to learn about the most common issues and come up with a plan of attack when it happens on your property. For example, erosion is one of the common issues that impact landscapers and can completely derail an outdoor area. If you aren’t familiar with erosion, it’s the gradual loss of the soil on your property due to natural factors like rain, wind, and water runoff. If your property is situated on a slope, it’s even more likely that you will have to deal with erosion-related problems.

The reason why erosion is so frustrating is that it takes away the nutrient-rich soil that your plants need to grow. The good news is that there are several things you can do to avoid and control erosion, which means that if you take the right approach you won’t ever have to worry about serious cases of landscape erosion. Below, we are going to walk you through some of the best ways to prevent landscape erosion so that you have the information you need to keep your landscaping looking great. As a reminder, you can always reach out to Cal Blend Soils if you are interested in purchasing great landscaping products at the best prices on the market.

Prevent Erosion by Building a Retaining Wall or a Terrace

Since erosion tends to impact sloped areas, one of the best ways to avoid it entirely is to invest in a retaining wall or a terrace. While this option can be a little more expensive than other options mentioned below, you know it will be effective. Even smaller walls can make a big difference in holding the soil in place during heavy rainfall. Make sure you hire a professional team for the installation so that you get things done right from an engineering perspective. Keep this option in mind if you are looking to tackle landscape erosion issues with the help of a permanent retaining wall that can improve the overall value of your property.

Use Mulch to Stop Erosion

Mulch is one of the most valuable landscaping products that you can invest in thanks to its many different uses. Along with adding nutrients into the soil, helping to retain moisture, and preventing weeds from taking over your garden beds, mulch can be used to prevent landscape erosion. This option works best if your landscape doesn’t feature any heavy slopes. The goal is to buy mulch and use at least 3 inches of it to cover the area that is prone to erosion. Mulch typically comes in all different shapes, sizes, and colors, but the best mulch for erosion is typically shredded bark or rocks. You might want to add a layer of fertilizer too before you add the mulch, as it can improve the health of your soil and also reduce runoff.

Plant Grass and Shrubs

When the soil is bare in a certain area of your property, it is more prone to being swept away by heavy wind and rainfall. That’s why another great way to prevent erosion from affecting your soil is to plant grass and shrubs in areas that are prone to runoff. The idea is simple – by planting grass and shrubs and helping them develop strong root systems, you are essentially locking the soil in place. This works great on sloped areas that are even more likely to experience erosion. Adding plants with strong roots will also make your property look better, which is an added bonus in addition to erosion control.

Be Careful with Watering

We know how important it is to get the plants on our property enough water on a regular basis. However, if you want to avoid erosion, you need to be cognizant of how much water you are using. This is particularly important in areas of your landscape that are experiencing erosion. Over-watering tends to speed up erosion and makes it easier for the soil on your landscape to wash away. Keep that in mind if you find yourself watering frequently and wondering why your soil is washing away.

Try to Avoid Compacted Soil

It’s always a rewarding feeling to spend time outside on your landscaping after you’ve put in months of hard work. However, heavy foot traffic on your property can lead to compacted soil, which is not good if you are trying to reduce erosion. When you have a lot of people, animals, and machinery going over your soil, it compacts it and prevents water from draining the way that it normally should. This also prevents plants from developing strong root systems to avoid erosion. That’s why if you really want to avoid erosion on your landscaping, make sure you are avoiding compacted soil whenever you can. One of the best ways to keep foot traffic in the areas that you want it is to include adding walkways.

Use Barriers

We already mentioned how beneficial a retaining wall can be for people that are dealing with erosion, but another idea is to use barriers in the areas you are trying to target erosion. For example, things like timbers and buried stones can be used to keep the soil in place on sloped areas and make your life easier over time as a landscaper.

Dealing with Erosion Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated

While erosion can be a frustrating issue for landscapers, getting it under control isn’t overly difficult. Hopefully, the tips mentioned above have given you some priceless insight into how to get your erosion problem under control and keep your landscape looking fantastic. Remember to reach out to Cal Blend Soils today if you are interested in purchasing high-quality landscaping products to improve your landscape.