Ah, the last days of a dry and hot summer! They don’t begin with a moment of respite for the soil in the garden, that’s for sure. As we all know, the coming autumn and winter can bring with them some risks to our lovely garden spaces. The soil can become eroded quite easily, undoing all the wonderful effort and care we put into our gardens. It can feel like all the time, energy and resources you’ve spent improving the soil structure are wasted in this situation. The good news is that we can avoid this problem with just a few simple and environmentally friendly tricks!
What is soil erosion?
The garden is exposed to many factors every day. Some are man’s responsibility, others depend on weather conditions.
- Soil erosion is defined as a physical phenomenon in which small soil particles are moved by water or wind to completely different areas.
These lovely areas are called areas of sedimentation or deposition. The lovely natural conditions associated with the whole process are related to rainfall, topography, soil type and also wind. As gardeners, we play an important role in shaping our soil. We can influence the texture of the soil over time, the types of plants we choose to grow, and the tillage system we use.
So, the more intense these factors are, the more severe the soil erosion will be.
- The transport of soil particles has the potential to disrupt not only the functioning of the garden and the entire domestic space.
We mustn’t forget that arable fields, other agricultural areas and surface waters are also at risk. The latter is particularly susceptible to contamination from phosphorus, nitrogen, or potassium compounds in the subsoil. They’re also sensitive to the effects of plant protection products, so we need to be careful with those too. How can we work together to combat erosion?
How can we stop soil erosion?
I came across a fascinating patent the other day that I just had to share with you! It’s a brilliant way of preventing soil particles from drifting away, while also limiting weed growth in your garden and retaining soil moisture. It’s all down to the use of coir mats!
- The material from which they are made is characterised by its strong insulating properties, which help to stabilise the soil temperature.
This is something that’s really important all year round, but it’s especially crucial during the autumn and winter. There are so many great things about coir!
- they decompose slowly and thus release valuable nutrients into the soil over the long term.
This product is so versatile! You can use it for ornamental plants as well as in your home vegetable garden. It’s absolutely perfect for herbs, and it’s great for tomatoes and peppers too!
An alternative to coir is wool fleece.
- The natural raw material quilt acts as one of the strongest barriers against weeds.
- It effectively insulates the soil, provides it with the right level of moisture and also protects it from rapidly changing temperatures.
As it decomposes, it gives the soil a wonderful boost of nitrogen, which is essential for plants to grow strong and healthy.
- This is just perfect for perennials, as well as bulbous plants, fruit trees and shrubs, and ornamental species! If you’re a gardener who loves growing roses and hydrangeas, this is a great choice for you!
How to use mulch for erosion control?
Many gardening professionals love to mulch the soil as part of their regular maintenance routine. I’d love to know more about what this activity involves!
- It involves thoroughly covering the soil around the plants with a special organic or inorganic material.
What is the purpose of mulching?
- It protects the soil from excessive water evaporation and prevents it from washing away during heavy rains;
- reduces the risk of dangerous fungal diseases infecting the crop, as well as discolouration of the mature crop.
The main time to spread mulch between plants is in spring, as soon as frosts are over and the soil has completely thawed.
What materials are best suited for mulching? Gardeners point out:
- Weeds,
- Compost,
- leaves,
- straw,
- grass,
- sawdust.
