Native Plants
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Wednesday - May 27, 2009
From: Suffolk, VA
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Erosion Control, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Will not cutting grass make its roots stronger?
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I live on a lake that has a hill. There is some problem with erosion on the hillside. Our association wants us to not cut the grass to stop the erosion. How does not cutting the grass help the roots get stronger to stop erosion or is this a farce?ANSWER:
According to Plant-Care.com your homeowner's association is right. Quoting them:
"The quantity of leaf surface combined with the sugar making process called photosynthesis helps determine how much food the root system will receive. More leaf surface help produce a root system that is healthier. ...When grass is cut root growth ceases temporarily."
This advice is echoed by many other lawn care experts (e.g., BetterLiving and Back to Nature Lawn Service).
The stronger and more extensive the root system, the better it can hold the soil in place.
More Erosion Control Questions
Native plants for erosion control in South Dakota
December 04, 2008 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants: I live in the Black Hills of South Dakota at about 5000 feet ASL. My house is on a steep hill. I had to clear a perimeter around my house of all the pine trees for fire supp...
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Erosion control in Spicewood TX
March 20, 2013 - I am from a small community along the Colorado River a few miles East of Marble Falls. We are looking for a ground cover/grass to prevent erosion on on our beach front. We had planned to use Bermuda G...
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Wind and erosion tolerant plants from Austin
August 05, 2013 - I recently cleared a fire break by removing cedar from around my home in West Austin. I'd like to plant the exposed NW facing slope with native shrubs and trees. Looking for selections that can wit...
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Plants with color for steep slope in Calera, Alabama
March 26, 2010 - I have a large steep slope in my back yard that the developer called a privacy break. It has poor soil and gets full sun. I have planted muhly and maiden grasses but would like some color. The slope ...
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Solution for erosion on steep slope in California
April 14, 2011 - Dear Mr.Smarty Plants,
I have a serious hillside problem in Santa Cruz County resulting from the recent deluge of rain. Steep to sheer now with no plants left on it after the hill slide washed to th...
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