Types of Erosion

First we need to understand the types of erosion we’re likely to face on our land. Sheet erosion is one type, and is caused by the detachment of soil particles by raindrop impact. During this type of erosion soils are removed in a uniform layer like its name implies. Sheet erosion can be difficult to observe, but can result in a massive loss of topsoil over the years. Rill and gully erosion is another type. It’s more noticeable than sheet erosion and happens during heavy rainstorms. This type of erosion forms small rills which makes farming difficult. If not corrected, rills will turn into gullies which cannot be crossed with farm equipment. Wind erosion is another type, and is a major problem in many areas of the country. Flat, sandy areas are especially prone to wind erosion. It was wind erosion that was responsible for the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. Pasturelands face other unique erosion problems. Often, livestock will erode the area around their water source, most often a stream or river bank. 

No-Till Farming

To combat erosion, the most important principle to remember is soil coverage. Bare, exposed soil is much more likely to be eroded than soils covered in plants or mulch. Try to limit or minimize the amount of bare soil you expose. Practice minimum tillage methods such as no-till farming. No-till farming allows you to grow crops from year to year without traditional tilling methods. By using specialized seeding equipment, it’s possible to plant seeds directly into undisturbed soils. Contact your local Cooperative Extension Service for more information about no-till farming and to see if it could be used in your situation. 

Cover Crops

Planting cover crops is also an excellent way to limit soil erosion. Cover crops are planted during the off-season in fields, gardens and pastures, and help provide soil coverage. Not only do cover crops help slow erosion, but they can also improve soils. Legumes such as white clover are a great example of this. White clover is a “nitrogen-fixer”, meaning it can take atmospheric nitrogen and convert it into a usable soil nutrient. Grasses such as annual and perennial ryegrass are also used as cover crops. 

Other Ways to Slow Erosion

Some other ways of reducing erosion on your pasture or farmland include: 

• Proper stocking rates and rotation of grazing animals. Be sure not let a pastures become overgrazed to the point of bare soil. 
• Stubble-mulching. Consider leaving the stubble and other crop residues in place. 
• Buffer strips. Leave a buffer of grasses, forbs, and shrubs along waterways and fence lines. These buffer strips help slow down runoff and filter pollution. 
• Plant a tree windbreak. Slow down wind erosion by planting a row of trees perpendicular to the prevailing wind direction. 
• Control livestock access to water sources. Fence off steambanks and other waterways to prevent erosion by livestock. Provide a designated access point.

Potential Post-Wildfire Damage

We all know the destructive capabilities of wildfires, although what follows once the fire has been quenched is largely underestimated. Severe soil erosion, landslides, and major flooding are all consequences of a fire-ravaged land void of vegetation. The roots of grasses, shrubs, and trees act as an anchor to hold soils in place and “knit” them together. Vegetation also helps to slow the movement of water across the soil surface and gives the water time to percolate into the soil. Remove these anchor plants, such as during a wildfire, and you remove any anchoring effects and increase the possibilities of major flooding and landslides. Intense heat from fire can also lead to a soil condition known as hydrophobicity. Soils with this condition actually repel water instead of allowing it to soak in. Hydrophobicity is caused by the condensation of gases that were released during the fire. 

Once these gases cool, they form a waxy layer on top of the soil surface. While hydrophobicity doesn’t always form during wildfires, if present it will need to be broken up in order to reseed the burnt area. 

Reseeding After a Wildfire

The first step after a wildfire is to assess the affected land. Burnt trees are potentially hazardous and need to be identified and removed. While fire damaged areas will eventually recover by their selves, they present an erosion risk until the vegetation has been restored. Speed up the process by seeding the severely burnt areas with grass seed blends. Grass seed blends should be certified weed free and tested for quality to prevent the spread of invasive and noxious weeds. Here at Nature’s Finest Seed, we specialize in erosion control and soil reclamation and have been providing high quality seed blends for over 20 years. Look for our pasture-type grass seed blends that have been designed specifically for your region. Dryland type grasses work best in areas that are normally not irrigated. 

UPDATE: View our new Wildfire Resistant seed blends.

For additional information and help determining what type of grass seed to plant, there are several excellent resources available. Our experts here at Nature’s Finest Seed would be happy to recommend the appropriate grass species for your region and climate. Other services such as the Natural Resource Conservation Service, the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and your local Cooperative Extension Service all have localized branches that are regionally specific and provide customized information for your particular area, climate, and soil type. 

How to Reseed After a Wildfire

To begin the reseeding process, roughen the soil surface by using a steel rake in small areas or a tractor drawn harrow in larger areas. This will also help break down any hydrophobic soil conditions that may have formed. Follow the recommended seeding rate and spread the seed with a broadcaster, such as a shoulder strap seed spreader. These types of seed spreaders are ideal for rough or steep terrain that might be inaccessible for tractor or ATV powered spreaders. After spreading the seed, rake or harrow it into the soil at a depth of about ¼ inch. To aid in germination, spread certified weed-free straw over the seeded area at a depth of two to three inches. If possible, cover the straw with plastic netting or spray with a tacking agent. This will help the area resist erosion while the seed is germinating. 

Erosion Control Methods and Devices

To further assist in preventing soil erosion, log terraces can be built to slow down the flow of rainwater runoff. By alternating the log terraces, runoff is forced to meander around the logs instead of in a straight path downhill. Log terraces are ideal in situations where trees have fallen down or purposely felled due to the wildfire. Why not put them to good use? If logs are not readily available, straw wattles and silt fences can be used in the same way. Straw wattles are long tubes of straw that are placed in areas of potential erosion, while silt fences are fastened to wood posts and help to control sediment-laden runoff. Silt fences are more suitable for broad flat areas, while straw wattles can be used on steeper slopes and can bend to the contour of the slope. These types of erosion control devices are all available from Nature’s Finest Seed upon request. 

25% Discount For Those Affected By Wildfires

As unfortunate as wildfires are to landowners, the aftermath can sometimes be just as devastating. To assist in the restoration process, Nature’s Finest Seed is taking 25% off the price of our pasture grass seed blends for landowners who have been affected by the wildfires this season. To qualify for this discount, please contact us directly and tell us your wildfire story. And to those of us yet to experience the humbling effect of a wildfire, please be careful when working, playing, or passing through areas of high wildfire potential.