My land is edged by a deep barranco (a wide gully with vertical walls where water doesn't flow anymore as it is being pumped higher up to bring water to urban zones) and I am loosing ground to erosion on the edges. I am looking for deep-rooted plants that don't get too heavy while ideally fulfilling another function. It needs to be apt for dry climate zone 10 11, limestone soil and not too invasive seed propagation (don't want to spread nonlocal plants down the barranc). Any idea?
Chrysopogon zizanioides, the vetiver grass, is being used for erosion control in the tropics and it is not a run-way invasive plant. It develops extensive roots that holds the soil.
We can green the world through random acts of planting.
to be non invasive down stream, look into brassicas, clovers, and possibly alfalfa, cereal rye, etc. What you need are deep rooting, nitrogen fixers. Buckwheat would work also as would field peas.
List of Bryant RedHawk's Epic Soil Series Threads We love visitors, that's why we live in a secluded cabin deep in the woods. "Buzzard's Roost (Asnikiye Heca) Farm." Promoting permaculture to save our planet.
Here is a really great image of deep rooted plants:
Deeproots.png
Deep Rooted Plants
Invasive plants are Earth's way of insisting we notice her medicines. Stephen Herrod Buhner
Everyone learns what works by learning what doesn't work. Stephen Herrod Buhner
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