How to Plant Grass for Erosion Control

Growing grass prevents soil erosion.

Combat soil erosion by planting grass in your landscaping. Sloping landscapes with sandy soil in particular should be planted with grass groundcover to reduce the amount of erosion. Grab a handful of soil to determine what kind of soil is in your yard. Sandy soil will feel dry, clay will feel like plastic and loam is malleable in the hand. Choose a type of grass that grows in your region. You may want to plant both warm and cool weather grass to keep the ground green throughout the year.

Things You'll Need

• Sphagnum moss
• Compost
• Builder's sand
• Tiller
• Rake
• Fertilizer high in nitrogen

Instructions

1. Choose a grass that quickly establishes over eroded areas such as rye, brown top millet or redtop. By picking a grass that has a fast growth rate, you are able to control your erosion problem within the growing season.

2. Amend the soil based on your soil type. For sandy soil, spread a two inch layer of sphagnum moss over the designated growing area and work into the first six inches of soil. Spread six inches of compost and builder's sand over clay soil. Till into at least six inches of the soil. By amending the soil, you improve its water retention or draining abilities.

3. Use the back end of a rake to create an even growing surface. Broadcast your grass seeds by hand over the growing area. You should spread roughly 16 grass seeds per square inch.

4. Cover the seeds with 1/8-inch of soil. Water the area thoroughly. Keep a watering routine twice a day until the grass is an inch tall. Reduce the amount of water to once a day until it is 3 inches tall.

5. Fertilize your grass with a fertilizer high in nitrogen one month after planting. If you fertilize at the time of planting, you may burn the grass seeds.

Tips & Warnings

• Water your grass thoroughly three days in a row before fertilizing to avoid burning the grass.

• Avoid mowing more than a third of a grass blade, because you will hurt the root system.

References

• Your Healthy Gardens: Preparing Your Garden
• Seedland: Erosion Control Grass