CONTROLLING EROSION

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The ideal erosion stopper is a plant that [1] germinates quickly and easily; [2] grows fast before the first heavy rains; [3] has a dense, fibrous root system; [4] is frost resistant; [5] is temporary — make sure the recommended "wonder plant" won't take over everything in sight; and [6] is a mixture. Don't depend on one plant, no matter how good its reputation. And make certain that at least one element of the mixture is a legume (member of the pea family). Legumes do for the soil what yogurt does for the intestines — they foster lots of beneficial microorganisms that do much of the real heroics in creating healthy soil.

How to plant a temporary cover. The best way to establish a temporary cover is first to dress the ground with a light sprinkling of very well rotted manure or compost. You might want to work it into the soil a little bit with a hoe and then rake it some — but not too deeply, please. If you have erosion, you want to disturb the soil as little as possible. Once you've prepared the soil, simply broadcast the seeds a day or two before you expect rain.

Fertilizers and exotics. What if you are dealing with a huge area, or if you don't have enough manure or compost for even a small area? Here's what you do. Scratch the surface of the ground slightly with a rake. Then spread the seed before you expect a rain. Wait until the seed has germinated and growth is under way, then carefully add an appropriate chemical fertilizer. (The Soil Conservation Service or a local seed dealer will tell you how much seed to scatter and what kind of fertilizer is "appropriate.")

Aside from chemical fertilizer, there is another bitter pill you may have to swallow. Some of the most effective plants for erosion control are exotic grasses and clovers. Call me a native-plant chauvinist, but I normally abhor foreign exotics. I have very high standards about not using them. For that matter, I have very high standards about not forcing growth with chemical fertilizers. Yet when the soil is bare and the rains are due, I am faced with a clear choice: I can either hang on to my standards, or I can hang on to my topsoil. Standards can be replaced, rationalized, or even forgotten within a week. Topsoil takes thousands of years to form. Whenever I've had to make a choice, I've opted in favor of topsoil.

If you do decide to use an exotic, there are special guidelines you should follow. Make sure the exotic has been around for a long time and is well tested in your area. Make especially certain that it won't escape and spread all over the place.

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