Bye-Bye Erosion! Our Top Tips for Planting to Protect Your Property

Does your garden slope a little more than you'd like? Is the creek in the corner of your property sneakily stealing soil every time it rains? You might be dealing with bank erosion, and trust us, it’s a sneaky beast. But don’t worry—nature has your back (and your bank). With the right plants in the right places, you can secure your soil and keep your property lush, safe, and stunning. 

Here are our top tips for planting to prevent bank erosion and stop the slide!

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1. Think Like Nature: Cover the Ground!

Bare soil is erosion’s best friend. The first rule of erosion control? Cover it up! Plants act like living armour for your garden, holding soil in place with their roots and cushioning it from the impact of heavy rain.

Planting tip: Go for dense, fast-growing groundcovers on steep slopes or fragile spots. We love Coprosma species for coverage that knits the ground together.

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2. Deep Roots Win the Battle

When it comes to soil security, deep roots are your MVPs. They act like natural rebar, gripping the ground and creating underground networks that resist slippage.

Planting tip: Mix in deep-rooted natives like Pittosporum.

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3. Work With the Water

Don’t fight the water—redirect it! If your bank is next to a stream or culvert, choose plants that love wet feet and help filter water as it flows.

Planting tip: Harakeke (NZ flax) thrives in damp conditions and will gladly do the dirty work of slowing down runoff and trapping sediment.

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4. Layer It Up!

Think of your planting like a lasagna—layers are key! Combining trees, shrubs, and groundcovers builds a resilient, multi-tiered system that can handle wind, water, and even the odd trampling boot.

Planting tip: Use a “top-down” strategy: plant canopy trees first, then shrubs underneath, and finally infill with groundcovers. It’s a buffet of beauty and stability!

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5. Give New Plants a Great Start

Even the toughest erosion-busting plants need TLC when they’re young. That means mulch, water, and maybe a few stakes until they’ve settled in and spread their roots.

Planting tip: Use biodegradable weed mats or a thick layer of mulch to suppress weeds and retain moisture while your plants get established. Happy plants = strong banks!

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Ready to Rewild Your Bank?

Erosion doesn’t stand a chance when you plant smart. Whether you’re taming a slippery slope or stabilising a streamside edge, the right plants make all the difference—and we’ve got plenty of them at Kereru Gardens!

Drop by the nursery, have a chat with our friendly plant nerds (we love a good erosion challenge!), and we’ll help you choose the perfect green guardians for your place. Don't forget to measure your space BEFORE you visit so we can tell you exactly how many of each plant you need!

Let’s turn that crumbling bank into a lush, living masterpiece. 

 

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