How do I get grass to grow around ponds & creek banks?
+10
So I have 25 ac. On a creek, with 3 man made ponds, in AL. Every time it rains, the ponds wash out, and so do parts of the creek bank, we don't live there full time, we r building as we have the money, so I don't really have the ability to water, because we ate only there on weekends and I need something with good roots. As u can tell I'm gonna need lots of grass. Any ideas? The soil is 50/50, 50%clay, 50%red dirt(sand). Gets super hard. Thanks for any and all help!!!
Flooding!!!
It would be an investment but using an erosion control slope mat would give you a stabilized area. This link has some good information. Stop and ask any contractor (roadway) in your area and they should be able to help direct you to a supplier.
https://www.denbow.com/5-erosion-control-steps-steep-slopes-embankments/
Oh wow! Looks absolutely amazing. Looks like you are working hard too. Googled and turned up a few sites for you, hope you can glean some useful info from them.
http://www.turfgrasses.com/info/erosion.html
https://homeguides.sfgate.com/grass-steep-banks-86517.html
https://www.solitudelakemanagement.com/recommended-vegetation-species-to-plant-around-your-lake-or-pond
https://www.gardenia.net/plants/planting-place/ponds-and-streams
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/202239839495489797/
I have seen Ponds with large rocks around them I don’t know how much she would spend at a rock quarry but that’s really where you should start to stabilize the pond
I agree, you need some pond boundary reinforcements! The landscape mats, or large rocks YES! Would it help to deepen your man-made ponds and create some runoff "canals" to feed overflow back into the main creek? You could also bury large drainage tubing to take the water where you want it. I wonder if you secured some fallen tree trunks at the banks, would they help guide the water out without taking the bank with it? Out here, they use long mesh tubing stuffed with sand or straw to retain water runoff. Have also seen people just stack bags of cement like a wall, then wet them down to become solid walls. When the stream is low, you could get in there, frame it up and fill it with concrete. No guarantees when Mother Nature is involved tho...
If you can order seeds or actual plants, I recommend prairie grass. It'll survive anywhere. Beautiful, too!
Plant cat tails. The have a strong root system. They are natures water purifiers. The are not harmed by any toxins or other chemicals. They clean the worst dirty water and are not bothered. They thrive and help stop erosion.
Wild grasses are nice to pair with Cat tails. It will attract birds to yours water areas1
I think you've got some fantastic suggestions! In Canada, we have an organisation called Ducks Unlimited that helps landowners create ponds, lakes and wetlands on their properties to encourage waterfowl. Perhaps you have something similar? Could your State Forestry Dept. help with plants or seedlings? College and university horticultural students are often looking for opportunities to meet course requirements and/ or home their skills in preparation for employment ( read free labour). There may be lots or resources available. Best of luck!