How to Repair Pond Bank Erosion

The type of pond bank erosion control you employ will depend on several factors:

• The shape of the shoreline
• The soil makeup of the shoreline
• The size of the body of water
• The type of the body of water
• How much erosion has already occurred

There are several different options you can take for pond bank stabilization. If you’re unsure of which one is right for you, we recommend talking with an erosion control specialist.

Beach Nourishment

One of the easiest ways to replenish lost sand along the shoreline is through beach nourishment. While it won’t necessarily prevent future erosion, it can make up for what was lost and work in tandem with an erosion prevention solution.

You’ll want to be careful when adding large amounts of sand to your shoreline to ensure that it won’t hurt the existing ecosystem. Sand that is the wrong size, type, and pH level can be harmful to local wildlife, especially microorganisms. Working with a professional sand application company will ensure that you choose the right sand for your beach.

But beach nourishment without solving the erosion problem can actually make the situation worse. Each time sand is washed into the water, it can raise the level of sediment at the bed of the pond or stream, making the water along the banks shallower. This can increase the risk of both flooding and erosion. That’s why you need to have a pond bank stabilization strategy that will prevent the future loss of sand.

If you’ve experienced heavy erosion that has led to a buildup of sediment along the banks of your waterways, you may need to dredge the water along the shoreline. There are services available that can scoop up the sediment and use it to replace lost soil along the banks, though this is typically an expensive solution.

Geotextile Pond Bank Stabilization Products

While adding sand to your shoreline is a great choice if you want to preserve your beach and create an area where people can sit or swim, geotextile products allow you to create a smooth, solid, and visually appealing shoreline.

SOX is a popular erosion control strategy that will improve bank stability. The product is placed along the shoreline and filled with a mixture of soil and sand, before being vegetated to create a strong barrier against erosion. 

SOX fabric is strong enough to create a barrier against strong waves, but porous enough to allow grass and other plants to grow through. This is essential to creating the kind of shoreline that supports vegetation and wildlife.

How to Prevent Shoreline Erosion

Erosion is a persistent and costly issue for many communities. Unfortunately, according to the EPA, climate change is likely to increase the number of intense rainstorms that cause erosion. By utilizing effective stream and pond erosion control methods, you can better protect your home or business while preserving the natural beauty of your shoreline.

Vegetation

Native plants with strong roots are an effective and environmentally appealing erosion control solution. Not only do they support the health of the soil and local ecosystem, but the right plants can keep your shoreline clean and visually appealing. Dune grass is one of the most popular options for adding vegetation to your beach because of its long roots, resilience, and ability to be replanted along the shoreline.

However, the right vegetation for your shoreline will depend on the climate in your area and the type of soil that makes up your bank. A professional pond bank stabilization company in your local area will be able to provide you with good recommendations.

Some of the best plants for erosion control in the Midwest include:

• Black-eyed Susan
• Milkweed
• American beach grass
• Alsike clover
• Lupine
• Iris cristata
• Cleft phlox
• Sumac
• Prairie grass
• Wild bergamot
• Medium red clover
• White Dutch clover

Proactive Maintenance

If you’re not at the point of needing large-scale erosion control methods, some preventative maintenance can be an effective and affordable solution. Be sure to clear debris such as fallen trees or branches that could mess with the flow of water and redirect it into causing erosion on your bank.

There are also certain types of wildlife, such as muskrats, that can weaken your banks and cause them to collapse into the water. Look for tracks or signs of burrowing that may indicate the animals are present. They are typically most active during the early morning or late evening hours, which is a good time to be on the lookout if you suspect you have an issue.

Our SOX Installation Service

The experienced staff at Superior Groundcover are experts at installing high-quality SOX products in ponds, lakes, streams, and other bodies of water that are experiencing erosion.

We’ll check for underground utilities, identify drainage outlet pipes, and remove any debris in the area that might interfere. Then we’ll fill the SOX system with our custom backfill material and contour it to your existing bank. 

We may also use native plants, sod, hydroseeding, or other methods to ensure your SOX system has plenty of vegetation and will create a visually appealing bank that is effective in preventing future erosion.

Working with an experienced pond bank stabilization team can ensure that you don’t have to take further steps to preserve your shoreline for years to come, saving you time and money.

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When Is the Best Time to Plant Grass Seed?

The best time to plant grass seed is typically in the late summer and early fall. During this time, your seed is less likely to face a drought or be drowned by flooding. It also keeps the heat of the sun from drying out the grass.

It’s a good idea to plant your grass seed at least a month and a half before you expect the first frost of the year. This will make sure the seeds have fully germinated and will grow healthy in the spring. If waiting until the fall is too long, late spring is also a good time to plant new grass—as long as you wait until after the frosts have ended.

Compared to DIY methods, a professional grass planting service that uses methods such as hydroseeding or Terraseeding® can give your grass a much better chance of taking root. Depending on your location and your soil, a professional service may enable you to plant your grass outside of the typical season.

How to Prep a Lawn for Seeding

1. Test the Soil

Even the best grass seed that has plenty of water and fertilizer will struggle to grow in the wrong soil. We always recommend conducting a soil test to ensure the optimal conditions for your seed.

There are DIY soil tests available that will allow you to determine the pH of your soil, but a professional test is the best option. A landscaping or ground cover expert can give you expert recommendations and determine if you need an application of topsoil to help your seed grow.

Topsoil is specifically designed to contain organic materials and to help grass absorb water and nutrients. It can be delivered and installed on its own or with a mixture of compost. A professional installation service can spread the topsoil at the right depth and consistency for new grass to grow.

Services such as Terraseeding will mix grass seed into the topsoil to apply them both at the same time. This provides a layer that protects the grass seed from wind, water, and animals. It is especially useful in heavily sloped areas or on top of erosion and water control solutions such as SOX and sediment control berms.

2. Create a Watering Plan

An effective watering plan is essential to making sure your grass gets the support it needs to be successful. We recommend watering the lawn three times a day, for enough time to maintain a damp, but not soaking wet environment, for 4–6 weeks after the grass has been planted.

The best times to water your lawn are in the early morning, late morning, and early to mid-afternoon. If you’ve received some rain, you may be able to skip a watering or two that day. But if you’re facing a drought, we recommend watering your lawn up to five times a day. Never let new grass seed go for more than a day without watering.

You should also take care not to overwater your lawn, which could drown the grass seed and decrease your chances of success. Standing water can draw in pests and expose your grass to disease. For that reason, we advise against watering your lawn late in the evening or at night. Grass absorbs less water at night, and the water is much less likely to evaporate, which means it will be left standing until morning.

3. Stock Up on Fertilizer

There are plenty of different types of fertilizer on the market, and the best one for your project will depend on your location, soil, and type of seed. Fertilizers that are high in phosphorous are a popular choice. But if you work with a professional grass seed application company, they can give you expert recommendations on the type of fertilizer to use for your lawn.

After the initial application, we recommend waiting around three to four weeks to start fertilizing your grass. Once you do, you can place fertilizer about once every three weeks for the first two to three months. After that, you might move to once every month or longer, depending on how the grass is growing.

4. Prepare the Soil for Grass Seed

If you’re planting the grass seed yourself, we recommend removing any existing weeds or older grass to make way for the new. A shovel or spade is good for smaller areas, but you may want to get a sod cutter if you’ve got a lot of ground to cover. You can typically rent a sod cutter from a local heavy equipment dealer.

You’ll also want to make sure the ground is smooth and accommodating for the seed. Take out any big rocks you find, level out the ground, and rake or till the soil to break it down and soften it up.

5. Plant!

For small lawns and patch repairs, you can probably plant the seed by hand. But there are also spreaders available for sale or rent, which can make the process much faster—and they can ensure a more even spread of the seed. Be sure to follow the instructions on the seed you purchased on how much to apply.

Once you’re done, you’ll want to protect the grass seed by gently raking soil over the top of it. You may also want to apply a layer of straw over the ground to protect the seed from wind and rain. However, straw doesn’t always create the nicest or most professional look for your lawn, and it can be time-consuming to clean up afterward.

Using a professional hydroseeding service is a great way to quickly and effectively plant grass on your property. A hydroseeding truck can spray a liquified mixture of grass seed, fertilizer, soil amendments, and water that will grow quickly—and it won’t be an eyesore in the meantime.

Professional Grass Seeding with Superior Groundcover

The team at Superior Groundcover can quickly lay down hydroseeding or Terraseeding to save you time and minimize disruption to your property. We have one of the largest fleets in the Midwest, and we frequently work on commercial and government projects to create beautiful, healthy grass.

Superior works closely with our clients to use the best solution for their soil and their property. Our blower and sprayer trucks have long hoses, which allows our team to easily apply the soil, compost, or hydroseed without driving onto sensitive areas of your lawn.

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