Winter Erosion in Landscape

As you prepare your landscape for the winter, include erosion prevention in your plans. Unprotected soil is susceptible to erosion by winter rains and snows. Soil erosion occurs when soil particles are carried off by water or wind and deposited somewhere else -- such as into a storm drain, a stream, or at the bottom of a bay. Erosion in the home landscape creates unsightly bare areas and deposits mud and dust on driveways and walkways that are then tracked into the house.

Look for areas in your landscape that will be bare in the winter and should be protected. In the winter, annual flowers and vegetables will have died down and above-ground parts of many herbaceous perennials will no longer be present. If your soil is not mulched, it will no longer be protected from the impact of rain drops. Although a rain drop seems small, the force applied by rain to the soil is great and contributes to erosion in several ways. Rain detaches soil particles; breaks down surface soil structure, allowing soil to erode more easily and decreasing future water infiltration; and splashes soil particles surprisingly long distances -- as much as 1 or 2 meters under some conditions. Mulching bare soil areas will protect them from the impact of rain and consequent erosion.

Some erosion creates large gullies in the ground and is easy to spot by even the casual observer. Other times, erosion can occur very gradually and may not be easy to see. Some less-obvious signs that soil from your property may be eroding include soil splashing on outside walls, sediment collecting in low areas or on pavement, and tree roots gradually being exposed as the soil around them is washed away. If you see any of these signs, look for possible erosion sources and take steps to protect that soil.

Your property may need additional mulch this fall after a hard freeze to protect it from winter erosion. In general, making sure your property is well landscaped with healthy plants will help reduce erosion. Healthy roots hold soil in place, and dense leaf canopies and mulches protect the soil from rain and runoff.