Your backyard is your outdoor sanctuary, and homeowners can easily end up spending quite a bit of money fixing up their residential backyard the way they want. With the time and effort that goes into maintaining a yard, few things are quite as frustrating as seeing all of that hard work destroyed due to erosion. If your backyard is not level or has drainage problems, your well-planned walkways and flowerbeds can easily see severe damage with every rainstorm. So, how do you successfully tackle the problem of erosion in your backyard?

1- Gabion Baskets

Gabion baskets are wire structures filled with stones that serve as a barrier or decorative element in landscaping. They are usually square or rectangular and have a variety of applications, but when it comes to addressing erosion, they work much the same way as a hedge or a wall. They act as retaining walls against erosion at the bottom of a slope or downhill grade. You can also use them to construct temporary floodwalls or perimeter fences. The creative landscaper can even use gabion baskets stacked on top of each other to form structures that are both decorative and practical.

2- Ground Cover

Erosion happens when the topsoil layer of the ground has nothing to keep it from washing away in the rain. One way to address this problem in your backyard is to ensure that there is plenty of ground cover. Planting grass and other shrubbery is a tried-and-true way to slow down erosion, as plant root systems anchor the soil in place. Another strategy against backyard erosion is to place curving stone walkways that act as barriers against running rainwater or create rock gardens in certain areas around the yard to act in much the same way as the grass. Plant ground cover has the advantage of attracting beneficial wildlife like bees and butterflies. The ground cover also suppresses weed growth and makes economical use of water.

3- Install a French Drain

French drains help control erosion by controlling rainwater runoff. They work in much the same way as a manually installed dry creek bed. Install a French drain first by digging a trench, leading the rainwater away from the desired area, and then laying down a perforated pipe that allows the water to sleep inside and more easily run down the drain. The entire structure is covered with gravel and rocks that easily allow water to flow into the trench and into the pipe. The pipe redirects the water to the desired location. Depending on the layout of your backyard, you can install a French drain near a slope. They also work well around patios and driveways.

There are, of course, many other mitigation steps you can take to prevent erosion in your backyard, and the good news is that many of these steps are things you can do yourself. However, if you feel uncertain about the process or are unsure if you are doing it correctly, contact professional landscapers who can help.

Published by: Nelly Chavez