Look for soil that is gray, blue or black. The soil also may emit a sulfurous or sour odor. Watch where runoff water flows and exits on the property. If runoff occurs on a relatively flat area, homeowners can plant a vegetative filter strip. Placing plants in highly erodable areas is called critical area planting.
Homeowners can use a variety of vegetation ranging from turfgrass to woodland plants.
Sjolander recommends checking the surrounding area for naturally occurring plants to see which species seem the most vigorous. Sjolander warns that homeowners should avoid planting exotic species or competitive native species that could take over the site, pushing out other native plants. A straw bale barrier should be entrenched and anchored across an area where erosion occurs. The temporary barrier prevents sediment-laden runoff and directs water elsewhere. A swale is a permanent broad depression that can be built in a yard to carry water more directly to a specific location.