Many homeowners have watched as a lovely little stream running through their yard grew into a raging torrent after a big rain. This is often the result of land use changes upstream. Rainwater that once soaked into the ground or was caught and used by trees now runs off roofs, sidewalks, parking lots and roadways. This rainwater is then directed through storm drains to the very brooks that once babbled and now roar.

As a consequence, landowners may lose streamside property, as streams eat away at their banks and carry the now eroded sediment downstream. The least expensive method of slowing streambank erosion before it becomes catastrophic also happens to be the healthiest for the stream – planting and maintaining native plants along the stream edges.

Turf grass roots are quite short compared to native grasses, shrubs and trees. You have probably pulled up a clump of turf grass growing in a flower bed; it wasn’t that difficult was it? Turf grass roots don’t hold streambank soils as well as longer-rooted native plants do.

If you plant with native plants, you will receive the added benefit of many hours of wildlife watching. Birds and butterflies will appear when you plant their favored food and nesting plants. Planting non-native landscaping plants can also help stabilize the streambank, but they may require more nutrient input and pruning to retain the desired appearance.

If much of the stream bank is already exposed, plant dormant live stakes such as willow or elderberry. Live stakes are two or three-foot long sticks that will root along the stem once planted. They tend to form thick mats of intertwined roots that hold soil in place.