Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, November 23, 1995                   TAG: 9511240001
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-16   EDITION: HOLIDAY 
SOURCE: JOE HUNNINGS
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

WINTER EROSION IN THE LANDSCAPE

Soil erosion occurs when soil particles are carried off by water or wind and deposited somewhere else - such as in a storm drain, a stream or the bottom of a bay. Erosion in the home landscape creates unsightly bare areas, and deposits dirt on driveways and walkways that is then tracked into the house.

Look for areas in your landscape that will be bare in the winter and should be protected. In the winter, annual flowers and vegetables will have died down and above-ground parts of many herbaceous perennials will no longer be present. If your soil is not mulched, it will no longer be protected from the impact of raindrops. Although a raindrop seems small, the force applied by rain to the soil is great and contributes to erosion in several ways: Rain detaches soil particles; breaks down surface soil structure, allowing soil to erode more easily and decreasing future water infiltration; and splashes soil particles surprisingly long distances - as much as two meters under some conditions. Mulching bare soil areas will protect them from the impact of rain and consequent erosion.

Erosion can create large gullies in the ground, easily spotted by even the casual observer. Conversely, erosion can occur very gradually and may not be easy to see. Some less-obvious signs that soil from your property may be eroding include soil splashing on outside walls, sediment collecting in low areas or on pavement, and tree roots gradually being exposed as the soil around them is washed away. If you see any of these signs, look for possible erosion sources and take steps to protect that soil.

Your property may need additional mulch this fall to protect it from winter erosion. Making sure your property is well landscaped with healthy plants will help reduce erosion. Roots hold soil in place, and dense leaf canopies and mulches protect the soil from rain and runoff.