Erosion is a nuisance to your landscaping as it removes soil and earth, but it can cause pollution to streams and waterways and put dangerous particles into the air, and in some situations, you can be held liable for environmental problems. To prevent being liable for damage that erosion causes and to keep your property on your land, here are some recommendations to help protect your soil and landscaping from natural erosion.

Protect the Soil

One of the best ways to prevent erosion is in how you work with the soil. If you can leave the soil in its natural position, it has already become protected against erosion from wind and water, and it won't erode on your landscaping. Once you disturb the soil in its natural state, you move around the soil, compact it, fluff it up to include air pockets, it becomes susceptible to erosion. So, if you don't need to excavate or move the soil, then don't do so. 

Of course, there are going to be times when you need to move soil around or replace it, creating a new slope or amending a previous slope, so you will need to protect it from future erosion. If you can plant vegetation into the soil, this is a great strategy to hold the soil against erosion through the stability the roots provide in addition to the plant's vegetation that creates a wind and water block. But you can also install terracing in highly sloped areas with a retaining wall or a series of smaller soil hold-backs or barriers.

Use Mulch Products

Another great method to protect your soil from erosion damage, you can apply a layer of mulch to the soil as a barrier. Mulch products, such as wood bark, rock, and rubber recycled mulch can provide a natural covering for your soil. The mulch covering looks nice to your landscaping and protects it against wind and rain damage. 

Just be sure you consider the weight of your mulch pieces. If, for example, you are applying a layer of mulch, make sure it is larger heavy pieces of mulch. Smaller, lighter pieces of wood chips can flow down and erode along with their underlying soil. However, heavier large pieces of wood, bark, and even rocks are the perfect barrier for your soil.

Add in Erosion Control Mesh

A mesh covering to your soil is a popular method to control erosion, especially when you are working to reseed the area with new vegetation. Erosion control mesh blankets and hydro-seed application will both cover the soil while it protects it from erosion until the new vegetation can germinate, take root, and establish a firm hold onto the soil to keep it stable.