Things You'll Need:
- Shrubs
- Trees
- Rocks
- Design plans
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Step 1
Conserve soil and fight erosion problems by planting more aggressively. The roots of shrubs can help to prevent excess storm water from stealing your soil. Leafy plants can also be used to break the force of falling raindrops, preserving your soil.
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Step 2
Maintain portions of unplowed land between gardens and fields of crops. A patch of rough, grassy land can help to stop erosion caused by draining storm water.
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Step 3
Grant your livestock plenty of space in which to graze. When herds of grazing animals are allowed to strip the land to the soil, they leave it exposed to the elements. This can make it easier for wind and rain to rob your land of precious soil.
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Step 4
Grow plants that are indigenous to the region whenever possible. Native plants will have millions of years of evolution on their side to help conserve soil. If you must plant non-native species, use indigenous plants to form a natural border for your crop.
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Step 5
Use natural materials to form barricades to fight storm water. Instead of constructing artificial borders with concrete, consider using logs or groupings of large stones. Natural resources are more effective and cheaper to install.
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Step 6
Construct a natural windbreak to line the perimeter of a farm field. Also known as shelter belts, windbreaks can prevent gusts of wind from disrupting the soil when a crop has been recently planted. These can be especially effective in windy, storm-prone areas in the Midwest.
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Step 7
Water soil along with plants. During dry months, it's important to take steps to keep your soil moist. Use piles of damp mulch to nourish dry topsoil and to keep it from being blown away.
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Step 8
Conserve your soil between crop rotations by planting cover crops. In addition to fighting erosion, a cover crop will help to lock nutrients in the soil and fight outbreaks of weeds. Cover crops can also retain soil's moisture during winter by catching falling snow.
