In a rainy state like Hawaii, erosion control is a valid concern. Rainwater runoff can wash away topsoil, damage your landscaping, and even undermine your home's foundation. To help you avoid these issues, Hui Kū Maoli Ola Native Hawaiian Plant Specialists, the leading nursery and landscaping service in Kaneohe, HI, offers some important erosion control tips you can apply to your yard or garden.

How to Prevent Erosion in Your Yard & Garden

1. Apply Mulch Over Open Topsoil

Open topsoil can be washed away by gentle rainfall. To prevent this, lay mulch around trees and shrubs, as well as in garden beds that leave considerable space between plants. If you have any uncultivated areas, cover them with mulch as well, and plant foliage there as soon as possible. The root structure of the plants will keep the surrounding topsoil in place.  

2. Install a Rain Catchment System

You can also reduce rainwater runoff by installing a rain barrel or another rain catchment system. Collect the water that flows off the roof of your home, garage, and outbuildings to keep it from washing your topsoil away and damaging your landscape.

3. Plant Foliage on Slopes

A lawn does little to provide erosion control on sloped ground. A better choice is to install plants with deeper, thirstier root systems. Wildflowers, woody perennials, wild grasses, and other native Hawaiian plants are a good choice. They create a natural erosion mat to keep soil in place.

4. Build a Retaining Wall

Finally, a retaining wall at the base of a gentle slope should prevent soil from escaping. For steeper slopes, you might need to install a series of walls in a terraced formation to keep soil from eroding.

Hui Kū Maoli Ola Native Hawaiian Plant Specialists, an experienced plant nursery and landscaping service in Kaneohe, HI, can boost your erosion control efforts with the right mulch, landscape design, and plant choices. Visit their website to fill out a contact form, or call (808) 235-6165 to discuss your needs with a friendly expert.