Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Monday - May 13, 2013
From: Bonaire, GA
Region: Southeast
Topic: Erosion Control
Title: Stopping Soil Erosion on a Slope
Answered by: Anne Van Nest
QUESTION:
I live in Bonaire, GA and have a slope in my back yard. The soil is red clay and it gets sun most of the day. A small section of this slope tends to have a mudslide to the bottom of the slope. How can I stop this mudslide from reoccurring if I put the dirt back up there?ANSWER:
The soil will continue to migrate downhill on a steep slope unless there is something to anchor it. Putting the dirt back up the slope will just encourage it to wash back down unless something is done to keep it from doing this. Either plant some native groundcovers, shrubs or trees with fibrous roots, stake down landscape fabric, build a terrace, or install a metal mesh to help prevent or slow the soil from washing down your slope.
The University of Georgia College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences have put an information sheet online about stopping erosion called “Tackle erosion with grasses, landscape plants and terraces."
More Erosion Control Questions
Plant Suggestions for a Partly Sunny Steep Bank in Illinois
November 09, 2013 - I am looking to plant something on a steep clay bank on our Illinois property. It is on the edge of our dirt road with trees above the bank and is partly sunny. What would work best for that type of a...
view the full question and answer
North Dakota Riverbank Stabilization
July 17, 2012 - Can you suggest plants to prevent and stabilize river bank erosion on Sheyenne River, ND?
Must be tolerant to cold, varying level of salts and sulfates and water level (from drought to flooding)
view the full question and answer
Native plants both deer resistant and good for erosion from North Oaks MN
August 23, 2012 - We have several partially sunny areas on hills that are prone to both deer and erosion. Our goal is to reduce runoff in an effort to preserve the watershed that provides tap water to many citizens of ...
view the full question and answer
Looking for plants for erosion control in Tennessee.
July 14, 2009 - We are looking for plants native to east Tenessee that will help control erosion once the kudzu in a ravine has been removed. The site is full sun with dry soil.
Moderate to fast growth and resist...
view the full question and answer
Erosion control in New York
July 21, 2008 - I am in zone 5/4 New York and I recently purchased a house with two erosion problems- 1. a seasonal stream has cut a gorge about 20 'deep X 40' long.Mature hemlocks are toppling into this hole. it i...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |