I was reading the newspaper recently and came across a story that caught my interest. On the surface, the story might not seem to have much to do with planting and landscaping in North America. In fact it DOES.
The story was about a giant sandstorm sweeping across China from the Gobi Desert.
So what's the connection between the Gobi Desert and your piece of the Good Earth? The answer: Soil, and the vegetation that keeps it stable.
The sandstorm had, in fact, gone beyond the shores of China and was sweeping into Korea and Japan, turning the sky yellow and worsening allergies and breathing problems. It was even predicted that the effects would be felt as far away as the West Coast of the United States.
It's a problem that dates back to the 16th century, but these sandstorms now wreak havoc over a wider area. Why? Because 28% of China is already desert, and every year Chinese deserts are growing by 950 square miles. And the reason is simple. The northern plains of China have been stripped bare of the vegetation that protects the soil. Aggressive farming practices resulted in the removal of trees and bushes that held the soil in place, then drought turned the soil to sand.
We have to look no further than the Dust Bowl on the 1930's to see what can happen closer to home.
Now, I'm not suggesting that your land is in real danger of imitating the Gobi Desert anytime soon, but there is no doubt that soil erosion can - and will occur - on land where trees, bushes and other vegetation are not present.
What can you do to protect your land?
Your best defense is certainly to plant trees and shrubs. The roots spread out providing anchors for the soil and the canopies provide shelter from the wind. Secondly, you need to have a solid sod base covering the soil.
Of course, all plants need water, but water can also be highly destructive, particularly on hilly or sloping land. Water that starts as a trickle at the top of a hill can be a powerful torrent by the time it reaches the bottom, carrying all the top soil with it. Your quick fix is to plant annual rye on your hillside as it begins to sprout in about a week. Spread fescue as well for longer-term protection and be sure to straw it in until it has had a chance to take root.
Various forms of groundcover are also highly effective at preventing soil erosion, and in a future column I'll give you some suggestions for some varieties of groundcover that you might wish to plant.
Additionally, you can get free advice and information about preventing soil erosion from federal and state government agencies, such as the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). You can find a link to NRCS and other agencies by going to my website, www.landsteward.org and clicking on "Resources".
Take a look at your own land. Could it benefit from the strategic planting of some trees or shrubs to prevent soil erosion? There are so many good reasons to plant trees and soil conservation is very near the top of the list. Just ask the farmer whose land was slowly consumed by the Gobi desert!
The Plant Man is here to help. Send your questions about trees, shrubs and landscaping to steve@landsteward.org or mail to: Steve Jones, "The Plant Man", P.O. Box 686, McMinnville, TN 37111. For resources and additional information, including archived columns, visit www.landsteward.org
QUESTION: "We're on a fairly tight budget, but would like to add some trees and shrubs to our property which could use some landscaping. Can you help?"
ANSWER: I suggest you go for a mix of trees, shrubs and evergreens in a combination that won't strain your budget. Try a combination of White Flowering Dogwood, Colorado Blue Spruce and Old Fashion Lilac. Add some Red Bud (sometimes known as "the Judas Tree") and some red or scarlet Maple. You should be able to buy several of each variety and spend no more than $25.00 for the package. To contact Steve Jones with your comments and questions, send e-mail to steve@landsteward.org
