What do you recommend for erosion control on a slope or embankment?
Knowledgebase
Erosion Control #892067
Asked January 29, 2025, 10:41 AM EST
What do you recommend for erosion control on a slope or embankment?
Washington CountyMaryland
Expert Response
Hi,
We're happy to help or send you some resources you can explore but we need a little more information. Could you attach any photos of the area in your response?
Do you know what's causing the erosion? Downspout outflow that could be redirected perhaps? Neighbor's drainage that they can't fix? Just a steep slope? Do you intend to plant anything in that area whose roots will help hold the soil in place? (If so, what are the conditions? Deer or rabbit pressure? Is this in a yard with children or pets? Sun exposure? Soil conditions?) The rough size of the area could be helpful to know as well.
Let us know if you need assistance attaching any photos.
I sent you a photo and replied back to you using your email address that you used when replying back to me as I was not sure how to upload a photo to this page.
Did you receive it? If not please let me know and I will try to upload a photo.
We got the photo, thanks! It looks like some tree stumps from trees that were recently removed are still in the slope. It may be difficult to plant around the roots of those.
If you answered our previous questions, you may have missed those. Our system is being slightly glitchy with getting responses.
It appears to be fairly shaded in the photo, but is that for most of the day or just morning/afternoon?
We can see some slope beyond the road/driveway in the photo-were you asking for that area as well?
This looks like a fairly wooded area- have you noticed a lot of deer there?
We want to make sure we can recommend a solution that will succeed for you.
Hay Scented Fern or Dennstaedtia punctilobulais a quick plant to fill in. It will spread by rhizomes to quickly fill in that area. The shade will not be an issue, and any wildlife should leave it alone. It is a native plant, so if it spreads into a wooded area, that would be okay!
If you wanted more of a low growing shrub you could explore Fragrant Sumac Gro-low or Rhus aromatica. This will also spread to fill in the slope and hold the soil in place.
The ferns you would want to plant about 12 inches apart, so you could look for them sold in flats (a tray of 25,50,100 plants) or plugs (small size plants that come in multiples) to make it more economical. You may have to ask your local garden center if they can order them, or seek out a native plant nursery to see if you could do a wholesale purchase depending on how many plants you need for the space.
The Gro-Low could be spaced about 3-5 feet apart, depending on the size of the container.
For either of those plants, until you can get them planted or to help get them established, you can use a type of biodegradable erosion cloth pinned to the soil. Then cut holes in it to plant. That may help the plants to root in and start growing in case we get any hard rains before they are established. Also keep in mind that they will need to be watered during the summer and not to use too strong of a spray from your hose. A gentle fan sprinkler may be helpful on the area.
In answer to your questions. The slope is about 40 feet long and 10-12 feet deep. It runs along side a driveway. It was cleared of small caliper trees and shrubs by some over zealous workers. It has not started to erode yet and may not, but I would like to take precautions with perhaps a low growing ground cover or grass. It will not be kept mowed and is partly sunny.
Ask Extension was experiencing some problems during January and February, and your latest response was just received today. We apologize if you missed some of our replies. Below is what Emily last sent to you, in case you didn't receive it. - Miri --- Hi Alice,
Hayscented Fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula) is a quick plant to fill in. It will spread by rhizomes to quickly fill in that area. The shade will not be an issue, and any wildlife should leave it alone. It is a native plant, so if it spreads into a wooded area, that would be okay!
The ferns you would want to plant about 12 inches apart, so you could look for them sold in flats (a tray of 25, 50, 100 plants) or plugs (small size plants that come in multiples) to make it more economical. You may have to ask your local garden center if they can order them, or seek out a native plant nursery to see if you could do a wholesale purchase depending on how many plants you need for the space.
The 'Gro-Low' could be spaced about 3-5 feet apart, depending on the size of the container.
For either of those plants, until you can get them planted or to help get them established, you can use a type of biodegradable erosion cloth pinned to the soil. Then cut holes in it to plant. That may help the plants to root in and start growing in case we get any hard rains before they are established. Also keep in mind that they will need to be watered during the summer and not to use too strong of a spray from your hose. A gentle fan sprinkler may be helpful on the area.
