Here on the Gulf Coast, we understand the rhythm of the seasons. We cherish the sun-soaked summers, but we also respect the immense power of hurricane season. As the humidity rises and storm clouds gather, our thoughts naturally turn to preparation. We board up windows and stock up on supplies, but what about protecting your property?
Heavy downpours, whether from a tropical storm or a full-blown hurricane, can unleash a destructive force of water runoff. This rushing water can erode your landscape, wash away valuable topsoil and mulch, undermine foundations, and carry pollutants into our local waterways. The good news is that you can fight back with simple, effective, and affordable tools. Let’s talk about a first line of defense in erosion control: the wattle.
What in the World is a Wattle?
You may have seen them around construction sites or along roadways and not known their name. Some people call them “straw socks,” which is a perfect description. A wattle is essentially a tube of mesh netting packed tightly with filtered straw, wood fibers, or other biodegradable materials. They are flexible, dense, and designed for one primary purpose: to slow water down.
Think of a bare, sloped yard during a downpour. Rainwater quickly forms a “sheet,” gaining speed as it rushes downhill, carrying away everything in its path. When you place a wattle on a hillside, stretched out in lines perpendicular to the flow of water, it acts like a miniature, porous dam. Instead of sheeting down the hill, the water is slowed, ponding up behind the wattle and allowing it to soak gently into the ground. This simple act of slowing the flow is the key to preventing erosion.
Wattles in Action: Your First Line of Defense
During the intense rainfall that defines our Gulf Coast storm season, wattles are incredibly versatile. Here’s how they can help protect your family and property:
- On Slopes and Embankments: By laying wattles along the contours of a hill in your yard, you can prevent topsoil and expensive mulch from washing away. This protects your landscape’s foundation and prevents bald spots from forming in your lawn.
- Around Storm Drains: You’ll often see wattles placed around storm drains. They act as a last-chance filter, trapping sediment, grass clippings, and other debris before they can clog the drain and cause street-level flooding.
- Protecting Flower Beds and Gardens: Placing a wattle at the uphill edge of a garden bed can divert heavy runoff, preventing your plants from being washed out and your soil from being stripped away.
- Perimeter Control: Along driveways and sidewalks, a wattle can stop water from sheeting across the hard surfaces and guide it back into your lawn where it can be absorbed.
A Team Effort: Silt Fences, Erosion Mats, Straw Blankets
While wattles are fantastic tools, they work best as part of a complete erosion control system, especially for larger or more vulnerable areas.
Erosion Control Mats (or Blankets): If you have a large area of bare soil, perhaps from recent construction or a newly seeded lawn, an erosion mat is your best friend. These blankets, made of straw or coconut fiber, are rolled out over the soil. They hold soil and seed in place, shielding them directly from the impact of raindrops and preventing them from washing away while vegetation takes root. They work in tandem with wattles, which can be placed on top of the mats for added protection on steeper slopes.
Silt Fences: For larger perimeters or areas with significant water flow, a silt fence is a more robust barrier. This is a special fabric fence stretched between posts that allows water to pass through but filters out and traps sediment. While more common on commercial jobs, they can be a property-saver for homes next to major construction or with serious drainage challenges.
Be Proactive, Not Reactive
The time to think about runoff mitigation is now, before the storm warnings are issued. These preparations are not just about saving your soil; they are about protecting the value of your home, preventing costly foundation damage, and being a good steward of our shared Gulf Coast environment.
Uncontrolled runoff doesn’t just damage your property—it carries fertilizers, pesticides, and sediment into our bays and bayous, impacting the delicate ecosystems we all treasure.
Don’t wait for the deluge. The team at GCO Landscape Supply is here to help you get prepared. We can help you choose the right wattles, erosion mats, and silt fences for your specific needs. Visit us at GCOGrows.com or stop by to talk with our experts. A small investment in preparation today can protect your family and your property from the storms of tomorrow.