 | Brad Lechner
owner and operator of Lechner’s Landscape & Lawn Service, LLC, has been in the lawn maintenance & landscaping industry since 1984. He is a certified Kansas Nursery Dealer & Certified Lawn Pest Control Applicator. Brad also maintains memberships in PLCAMA (Professional Lawn Care Association of Mid-America), Project Living Green, The Wichita Lawn, Flower and Garden Show, and The Better Business Bureau. Lechner's Landscape & Lawn Service does landscaping, lawn maintenance, lawn fertilization programs, tree & shrub insect and disease programs, tree & shrub pruning, seeding and sodding, and positive corrective drainage. You may contact Brad by e-mailing him at: lechnerslawn@aol.com, or by phone at (316) 729-2600. |
Lawn, Garden & Landscaping
2002-02-01 15:35:00
Pond banks
: I'm trying to stop erosion on the banks of my pond. The banks have been recently reworked and are bare and steep. I have planted Bahia but it doesn't seem to be germinating very well. Can you recommend a seed that will germinate quickly and help hold the soil together. When is the best time to plant it?
Brad Lechner
Question: I'm trying to stop erosion on the banks of my pond. The banks have been recently reworked and are bare and steep. I have planted Bahia but it doesn't seem to be germinating very well. Can you recommend a seed that will germinate quickly and help hold the soil together. When is the best time to plant it?Answer: Thank you for the wonderful question. We will need to decide the best grass seed for your erosion problems. Bermuda and zoisia (warm season grass) could be a good choice. Bermuda and zoisia grasses spread to help hold soil together. Disadvantage, bermuda and zoisia grass are difficult to germinate by seed. Fescue (cool season grass) would be a better choice, as fescue is less difficult to germinate from seed. The quick germination of grass seed will be very critical. Perennial rye seed will germinate with in 3 - 5 days and would be a very helpful grass seed to use in your situation. Bahia is a wonderful spreading grass for erosion problems, but Bahia grass grows in a different region of the United States. It is recommended in zones 9 to 10. The Kansas zone is 5 to 6. Bahia is mostly grown in southern areas like Florida etc. Recommended solution: Cost will be a major factor in your erosion problem solution. Sodding (fescue, bermuda, zoisia) is the best solution for your situation. With sodding you'll get a instant result. As compared to seed, erosion may occur before germination. To solve your erosion problem by seeding, I would recommend seeding your bank area with fescue (cool season grass) with a mixture of perennial rye. After seed is applied, I would recommend installing erosion jute ( a woven burlap ) to keep soil from erosion before seed germination. After your seed has germinated. The erosion jute will deteriorate in to the soil. Cool season grasses are recommended to be planted in spring (April15th - May 15th) or fall (September 1st - October 15th).
