Soil Erosion

By Debbie Roland and Emmy Ulmschneider, Master Gardeners

As gardeners we know we need to water, prune plants and pull weeds but we may forget to pay attention to our soil.  Soil can erode over time producing smaller, less healthy plants.  Soil erosion happens when soil is blown or washed away.  This can be caused by rain or the West Texas wind.  A great example of this is the dust bowl of the 1930s but it can happen on a smaller scale in your own yard.   West Texas has experienced droughts over the years that have left soil in some areas in sad shape.  Erosion is a threat to sustainability and productivity in your yard and garden. 

You may take your soil for granted and think it needs little care, but it really is fragile and took thousands of years to form.  Topsoil, which is the soil closest to the surface, contains necessary nutrients for your plants.  When it becomes damaged by erosion, neglect, over production or use of too many chemicals, the fertility is greatly affected and once it is damaged it is more likely to keep happening.   When this happens, it is time to take action.  Managing your soil’s health is important whether you grow vegetables, flowers, trees or turf.

There are techniques that work to restore our soil.   Here are a few that will help you achieve the healthy plants you desire.

·        Add organic matter to your soil like compost or clean manure. 

·        Your soil should always be covered with some kind of plant.  A cover crop will keep your soil in place when the West Texas winds are blowing. 

·        Minimize soil disturbance.  Frequent tilling or digging is unnecessary and can cause weed seeds to sprout. 

·        Rotate your crops.  Rotating crops helps with pest issues and nutrient depletion.

·        Always mulch to regulate the moisture and keep weeds at bay.  Hay, bark or even leaves will work for this.

·        Water deeply and less often.  This encourages deep root growth and prevents standing water in your beds, garden or yard.

·        Plant a diverse range of plants which will bring in beneficial insects and support the ecosystem of your property.

·        Have your soil tested.  This is easy and inexpensive and well worth the effort.  Contact your local AgriLife office in Midland or Odessa to pick up your test kit. The soil test kit will provide instructions on how to collect the soil sample, information on how much it cost and where you need to send it.

All these things encourage good drainage and promote the growth of beneficial microbes.  And remember that one of the best things you can give your garden and yard is your shadow.  Daily monitoring will let you identify minor problems before they become major ones.

If you have questions, call the AgriLife office in Odessa at 498-4071 or in Midland at 686-4700.   Additional information, and our blog for access to past articles, is available at westtexasgardening.org.  Click on “Resources”.