Author Topic: Soil erosion issue (remove chain link fence?)  (Read 2162 times)

mozar

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3503
Soil erosion issue (remove chain link fence?)
« on: April 27, 2019, 08:30:24 PM »
Hello,
I've been doing yard work and the soil erosion is getting worse. I live at the bottom of a slope and at the top of the slope is my fence and then a sidewalk. Between the sidewalk and the fence there is almost no soil left. Is the solution to remove the fence? And how do I fix it? Hedges, small retaining wall, something else? How do I replace all that soil without it immediately eroding away? I've been putting dead tree branches there to stop more soil erosion.

Linea_Norway

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 8569
  • Location: Norway
Re: Soil erosion issue (remove chain link fence?)
« Reply #1 on: April 28, 2019, 12:48:48 AM »
You need to plant some plants to cover the whole area and that will spread like a blanket. Maybe in combination with a cloth over the soil, in which you make holes for the plants. I presume they can advice you in a gardening center on which plants. Why not have a talk with them?

mozar

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3503
Re: Soil erosion issue (remove chain link fence?)
« Reply #2 on: April 28, 2019, 09:00:50 AM »
I have already bought the plants I'm going to use, the problem is the lack of soil to plant it in. I'm going to buy garden edging and fill it with soil and plants and see if that holds. That's the only thing I can think of. Thanks for your response.

LostGirl

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 298
Re: Soil erosion issue (remove chain link fence?)
« Reply #3 on: April 28, 2019, 10:40:50 AM »
You could use jute mesh to hold in the dirt while you are waiting for the plants to establish. Like @linda_norway said, you want to use a over crop for long term souls stability. In the interim, anything to slow the velocity of the water is your friend.

Linea_Norway

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 8569
  • Location: Norway
Re: Soil erosion issue (remove chain link fence?)
« Reply #4 on: April 28, 2019, 11:30:26 AM »
Someone in my neighbourhood had the same issue. After the first attempt with soil flushed away with rain, I think they installed some planks, standing vertically on their side. Every half meter or so. And so soil in between.

pbkmaine

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 8927
  • Age: 67
  • Location: The Villages, Florida

pbkmaine

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 8927
  • Age: 67
  • Location: The Villages, Florida

mozar

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3503
Re: Soil erosion issue (remove chain link fence?)
« Reply #7 on: April 28, 2019, 02:18:36 PM »
Right now I'm doing a modified version of pbkmain's first link. The jute mesh looks like it would be useful for when the fence is removed. Would it work under several inches of soil?
I have lavender and ornamental grasses ready for the cover crops.
Wooden planks might be a good idea if nothing else works.

ShoulderThingThatGoesUp

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3053
  • Location: Emmaus, PA
Re: Soil erosion issue (remove chain link fence?)
« Reply #8 on: April 29, 2019, 05:15:43 AM »
Can you include a picture?

Indio

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 471
Re: Soil erosion issue (remove chain link fence?)
« Reply #9 on: April 29, 2019, 06:40:25 AM »
Lavender is not a spreading plant with deep root system. Without knowing what types of ornamental grasses, I would add flowering vinca, pachysandra, strawberries. There are many plants that have a broad hardy root system that can hold back soil.

mozar

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3503
Re: Soil erosion issue (remove chain link fence?)
« Reply #10 on: April 29, 2019, 11:05:44 AM »
Are there common names for vinca and pachysandra? I haven't seen them at the store, but I can definitely pick up some strawberries.
I'm a bit too lazy to add a picture.
My newest idea is to buy burlap and nail it to wood stakes so the soil doesn't roll down the hill.


mozar

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3503
Re: Soil erosion issue (remove chain link fence?)
« Reply #12 on: April 29, 2019, 11:32:28 AM »
Ah, ok. I will look for periwinkle too. I think I'm in zone 6.

RetiredAt63

  • CMTO 2023 Attendees
  • Senior Mustachian
  • *
  • Posts: 20742
  • Location: Eastern Ontario, Canada
Re: Soil erosion issue (remove chain link fence?)
« Reply #13 on: April 29, 2019, 04:41:55 PM »
Ah, ok. I will look for periwinkle too. I think I'm in zone 6.

It was invasive in my zone 5 garden, it should grow just fine for you.

Goldielocks

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 7062
  • Location: BC
Re: Soil erosion issue (remove chain link fence?)
« Reply #14 on: April 30, 2019, 12:30:51 PM »
Ah, ok. I will look for periwinkle too. I think I'm in zone 6.

It was invasive** in my zone 5 garden, it should grow just fine for you.
** LOL Understatement.

I am battling Creeping buttercup right now.  Deciding if half a lawn of creeping buttercup looks ok, or if it is time to kill it.
https://www.kingcounty.gov/services/environment/animals-and-plants/noxious-weeds/weed-identification/creeping-buttercup.aspx

"Weed of concern" here (toxic to grazing animals)... but pretty, excellent between two concrete areas (if you don't let it seed) and in your zone, it may be a lot more under control.