If you have any bare ground, try to establish plant cover as soon as possible to limit erosion. If the ground is mostly flat (slope of 3:1 or less), this might be enough to solve the problem. Steep slopes erode faster, so they need more protection.
If you don’t plant anything, keep the soil covered with mulch. You can also add mulch around plants to add another layer of protection or to keep the soil warm.
Fiber mulch mats or erosion control mats are a layer of mulch held together in a fiber mesh. This structure holds the mulch together in areas where normal mulch would be washed or blown away. [4] X Research source
You can plant seeds directly in the logs to protect them while they grow. If you do plant seeds directly into the logs, you should still use stakes to hold the logs in place, at least until the seeds develop sturdy roots that go into the soil.
Give the wall a 2% slope on the side (perpendicular to the incline) so that water flows off to the side instead of pooling. [6] X Trustworthy Source Virginia Cooperation Extension Publications and Educational resources from Virginia Tech and Virginia State University Go to source You may build the wall from concrete blocks, rock, or wood. Only use wood treated with a preservative to prevent rot. Use retaining walls around flowerbeds and other raised soil areas as well. You may need local government approval to build these structures.
Areas with heavy water runoff may require installing an underground perforated drainage pipe.
Compacted soil also makes it harder for plants to become established, since the roots have trouble breaking through. Compaction always lead to net erosion. The water may run off of compacted soil, but as it runs off it generates more force, which can increase the erosion in other areas.
Bare ground around the tress still needs to be covered in mulch or grass for best results. Keep in mind that older trees will be more effective at preventing landslides than new saplings. It may take some time before your tree develops roots that are strong enough.
These conservation tillage techniques also reduce the amount of vehicle traffic, and therefore soil compaction.
Plant the crops so they contour the slope. Plant these crops perpendicular to the prevailing wind if possible.
This may not be effective if the other paddocks cannot support the spelled cattle. If possible, keep cattle away from riverbanks and heavily eroded soil at all times. [12] X Research source
After you harvest your crops, leave the residue on the soil as mulch. Alternatively, plant hardy winter crops.
Another option is to build a swale to re-direct the runoff into a pond. Building several swales along a hillside can greatly reduce runoff volume and eliminate the need for a paved channel. [14] X Research source Do not build flumes on slopes steeper than 1. 5:1.
