Difference between revisions of "Prevent Soil Erosion"
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#Put down fiber logs. Another option for erosion control on steep slopes is a series of rolled up logs or "wattles" made from fibrous material (like straw). Water running down the slope will slow down when it hits the logs, soaking into the soil instead of carrying mud downhill. Put the logs down across the slope, 10 to 25 feet (3–8m) apart. Hold them in place with wooden stakes or sturdy, living plants.<ref name="rf6" /> | #Put down fiber logs. Another option for erosion control on steep slopes is a series of rolled up logs or "wattles" made from fibrous material (like straw). Water running down the slope will slow down when it hits the logs, soaking into the soil instead of carrying mud downhill. Put the logs down across the slope, 10 to 25 feet (3–8m) apart. Hold them in place with wooden stakes or sturdy, living plants.<ref name="rf6" /> | ||
#*You can plant seeds directly in the logs to protect them while they grow. | #*You can plant seeds directly in the logs to protect them while they grow. | ||
| − | #[[Build | + | #[[Build a Retaining Wall|Build retaining walls]]. Badly eroded slopes will continue to collapse downhill until they are stabilized. A retaining wall at the base of the slope will block the soil and slow down the collapse. This gives grass or other plants time to grow and help the soil hold together. |
#*Give the wall a 2% slope on the side (perpendicular to the incline) so that water flows off to the side instead of pooling.<ref name="rf2" /> | #*Give the wall a 2% slope on the side (perpendicular to the incline) so that water flows off to the side instead of pooling.<ref name="rf2" /> | ||
#*You may build the wall from concrete blocks, rock, or wood. Only use wood treated with a preservative to prevent rot.<ref name="rf3" /> | #*You may build the wall from concrete blocks, rock, or wood. Only use wood treated with a preservative to prevent rot.<ref name="rf3" /> | ||
#*Use retaining walls around flowerbeds and other raised soil areas as well. | #*Use retaining walls around flowerbeds and other raised soil areas as well. | ||
#*You may need local government approval to build these structures. | #*You may need local government approval to build these structures. | ||
| − | #[[Fix | + | #[[Fix Poor Soil Drainage|Improve drainage]]. All buildings should have gutters or pipes that can drain water effectively out of your garden and into water collection systems. Without adequate drainage, heavy rain could wash away a whole layer of topsoil. |
| − | #*Areas with heavy water runoff may require [[Build | + | #*Areas with heavy water runoff may require [[Build a French Drain|installing an underground perforated drainage pipe]]. |
| − | #Reduce watering if possible. Over-watering your garden can speed up erosion by washing away soil. Use less water if you can, or [[Install | + | #Reduce watering if possible. Over-watering your garden can speed up erosion by washing away soil. Use less water if you can, or [[Install a Drip Irrigation System|install a drip irrigation system]]. Since a drip system only delivers small amounts of water at a time, there is no water flooding across the surface to carry topsoil. |
#*You can also install drip lines underground to deliver water directly to the roots. | #*You can also install drip lines underground to deliver water directly to the roots. | ||
#Avoid soil compaction. When people, animals, or machines travel over soil, they press it down, compacting the soil into a dense layer. Since there is less space between dirt particles in compacted soil, water has a hard time draining through, and carries soil on the surface downhill instead. Walk on [[Install-Pavers|paving stones]] or cleared paths instead of trampling the soil, especially when it is wet. Adding compost or manure can also help by attracting earthworms, which break the soil into looser clumps. | #Avoid soil compaction. When people, animals, or machines travel over soil, they press it down, compacting the soil into a dense layer. Since there is less space between dirt particles in compacted soil, water has a hard time draining through, and carries soil on the surface downhill instead. Walk on [[Install-Pavers|paving stones]] or cleared paths instead of trampling the soil, especially when it is wet. Adding compost or manure can also help by attracting earthworms, which break the soil into looser clumps. | ||
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#*Another option is to build a swale to re-direct the runoff into a pond. Building several swales along a hillside can greatly reduce runoff volume and eliminate the need for a paved channel.<ref name="rf14">http://permaculturenews.org/2015/07/24/how-to-build-a-swale-on-contour-successfully/</ref> | #*Another option is to build a swale to re-direct the runoff into a pond. Building several swales along a hillside can greatly reduce runoff volume and eliminate the need for a paved channel.<ref name="rf14">http://permaculturenews.org/2015/07/24/how-to-build-a-swale-on-contour-successfully/</ref> | ||
#*Do not build flumes on slopes steeper than 1.5:1.<ref name="rf15">http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/water_pdf/sec5bperm6.pdf</ref> | #*Do not build flumes on slopes steeper than 1.5:1.<ref name="rf15">http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/water_pdf/sec5bperm6.pdf</ref> | ||
| − | #Turn a hillside into terraces. The steepest slopes are almost impossible to farm on. Turn the hill into terraces instead by [[Build | + | #Turn a hillside into terraces. The steepest slopes are almost impossible to farm on. Turn the hill into terraces instead by [[Build a Retaining Wall|building retaining walls]] running across the slope. In between the walls, [[Grade-a-Site-by-Hand|grade the soil level]] to create a flat area resistant to erosion. |
== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
