DIY Planting on a Bank

Planting plants on the banks of a waterway will provide a habitat for wildlife.

If you have a creek or river in your backyard, there's a good chance you have problems with erosion. Planting the appropriate plants on the bank of the water will help you control erosion. The roots of many shrubs, trees and perennial plants hold the soil to the earth and prevent it from being washed downstream. Choose plants that are native to your area. Plant a mixture of trees, shrubs, perennial plants and grasses to create a natural look.

Things You'll Need

• Potted trees
• Potted shrubs
• Potted perennial plants
• Potted grasses
• Landscaping mesh
• Garden trowel
• Garden hose

Instructions

1. Choose native trees to plant on your bank. Trees like weeping willow, river birch, water oak, sycamore, quaking aspen, red maple and green ash thrive around water systems and do not mind getting their roots wet. Keep in mind the mature size of the tree before purchasing to make sure it will work for your yard.

2. Select a variety of shrubby plants to plant with your trees. French pussy willow, spicebush, witch hazel, sand cherry, waxmyrtle, Carolina allspice, bigleaf snowbell, sages and honeysuckle grow well along the banks of waterways.

3. Pick out some perennial plants and grasses to plant along the bank. Choose perennial plants like prairie spiderwort, red columbine, Elephant ears, cedar sage and plains blackfoot. Grasses like plains lovegrass, little bluestem and Indian woodoats have fibrous roots that hold the soil in place.

4. Decide the placement of each plant on the bank. Read the plant tags to determine each plant's spacing and light requirements.

5. Lay landscaping mesh over the entire planting area of the bank. Overlap the mesh by 2 inches when needed. Set the plants on top of the mesh to mark their planting locations and to hold the mesh in place.

6. Lift one plant at a time and cut an X-shape into the mesh under the plant. Dig a hole in the soil under the X that is as wide and as deep as the plant's pot. Take the plant out of the pot by gently pressing on the sides of the pot until it releases. Set the plant's roots into the hole. Spread the soil over the plant's roots so they are completely covered. Water the plant thoroughly. Repeat with the other plants until the bank is covered.

7. Water the plants daily in the morning or in the evening with a light mist until the plant's roots are saturated.

References

• Land Steward: Smart Planting Can Halt River Bank Erosion
• The University OF Texas Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center: Erosion Control Grasses
• Department of Ecology Puget Sound Shoreline: Native Plants
• Department of Ecology State of Washington: Slope Stabilization and Erosion Control
• "Gardening Essentials"; Barbara Pleasant; 1999