Need help with erosion control planting

[Brian]

This isn't really a food plot question, but I'm hoping to tap into some of the practical horticultural knowledge here.

I have a creek crossing that I would like to plant to slow down erosion. It's a tough location because it only gets a few hours of direct sunlight each day and the "soil" is almost pure sand. The crossing doesn't get much use so I don't really need something that will stand up to traffic, I just want to help stabilize the soil as much as I can so the crossing doesn't wash out so fast!

Any suggestions?

 

[cutman]

I used ryegrass in a similar situation. Fixed a leaky dam with sand then scattered ryegrass seed all over. Like you it only gets a little bit of sunlight per day. So far it's worked perfectly.

 

[Brian]

I used ryegrass in a similar situation. Fixed a leaky dam with sand then scattered ryegrass seed all over. Like you it only gets a little bit of sunlight per day. So far it's worked perfectly.

I thought about rye grass, but its just the wrong time to plant it this far south. I just finished getting the crossing back in shape after after it was totally wrecked in a flood event several months back and now I want to slow the erosion through the spring and summer.

.

 

[Blizzard Ridge]

Why not rip rap? It would be the most permanent fix.

 

[Brian]

Why not rip rap? It would be the most permanent fix.

Rip rap would be a permanent solution but a lot of work; I doubt I could get a truck within a half mile of the crossing and it would take forever to bring enough rock in a loader bucket at a time

 

[Tap]

Check out ernstseed.com
Their catalog is tremendous and shows a lot of planting options for erosion control.
They specialize in native species, too.

 

[Lewi B]

Brown top millet would be my suggestion.
As far south as you are it might reseed it's self
for a second stand in the same season.