presentations
evaluation tools
 
intro to the basics
     
     
1   choose the right plant for the right spot
     
     
2   recycle your yard waste
     
     
3   use fertilizers and pesticides responsibly
     
     
4   water wisely
     
     
5   reduce runoff from your yard and increase groundwater recharge
     
     
6   reduce soil erosion. keep it planted and mulched
     
     
7   pick up after your pets
     
     
8   use and dispose of fuels and hazardous products properly

Reduce soil erosion. Keep it planted and mulched.

Soil erosion is a concern not only for its impacts on plant growth, but also for its impacts to water quality.

Soil is the valuable natural resource that nourishes and supports plant growth among many other things. When soil is left bare and exposed, it can erode by both wind and water. In addition to the loss of the valuable soil resource, wind erosion can impact air quality and water erosion can result in gullies or “washed out” channels and sedimentation to down-slope areas.

Sediments that are transported to storm drains and surface waters can choke aquatic life and increase water temperatures. Various pollutants such as phosphorus and heavy metals may also be attached to these sediments further threatening water quality.

Stabilizing the soil can be achieved through:

Maintaining a healthy, perennial vegetative cover.
Mulching.
Increasing soil organic matter.
Cover cropping – such as winter rye in vegetable gardens. Includes annual grasses, small grains, legumes and other types of vegetation planted to an area to provide a temporary vegetative cover. Cover crops are often tilled under serving also as a “green manure” crop.
Placing crushed stone, wood chips, and other similar materials in heavily used areas where vegetation is hard to establish and maintain.
Other temporary erosion controls that include the use of geo-textile materials that aid in the establishment of permanent vegetation. These are especially effective on steep slopes and heavily used areas.
Addressing problem areas of concentrated stormwater runoff. This may include redirecting stormwater and roof runoff to areas that can settle and dissipate water, such as rain gardens or vegetated buffer areas.


For more information on maintaining healthy vegetative cover, mulching, and improving soil organic matter

URI CE GreenShare Sustainable Trees and Shrubs Manual


The following URI CE GreenShare factsheets:

Compost
General Lawn Maintenance and Renovation
Mulches
Selection of Grasses
What is Wrong With My Lawn?


or call our URI Master Gardener Hotline: 1 (800) 448-1011
Monday through Thursday 9 AM to 2 PM

Healthy Landscapes Information Sheet:
Rain Gardens--enhancing your home landscape and protecting water quality

URI CE Home*A*Syst Program Factsheet
Shoreland Buffers and Water Quality Protection


For more information on reducing stormwater runoff and soil erosion

URI CE Home*A*Syst's Home Landscape Improvements for Water Quality Protection


USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service or your local Conservation District call(401) 828-1300
additional information on soils, erosion control and cover cropping


URI CE Home*A*Syst Program and the Southern New England Forest Consortium, Inc. -- Today's Forest, Tomorrow's Legacy: A Guide for Small Acreage Woodland Owners


For more information on rain barrels see our Healthy Landscapes Information Sheets
Rain Barrels
How to Build and Install a Rain Barrel


The Center for Watershed Protection
or call (410) 461-8323
information on rain gardens, rain barrels and watershed protection