Planting Grass Seed for Erosion Control on a Riverfront Property in North Carolina

Establishing a Root System on a Pungo River Lot

A property owner in Belhaven, NC, plans to replenish an eroded riverfront lot with fresh soil and wants to seed it immediately to stabilize the bank. The challenge: it’s not the ideal planting season, the site is four hours away, and no one will be on hand to water. The goal is to combine soil delivery, fertilizing, and seeding in one trip to save money.

Expert Recommendations

Tom advises contacting the NC Coastal Federation in Swansboro (252-393-8185) and asking for Sally Steele, who handles development. She can recommend the best plants for the current season and long-term survival on the coastal plain.

Compost Topdressing for Better Survival

• Seeding: Apply compost at 3/8 inch per 1,000 sq. ft.
• Planting: Apply compost at 1 inch per 1,000 sq. ft.

This practice helps resident seeds and plants already in the soil thrive and ensures the highest survival rate for any new plantings. Tom’s company relied on this method for years during guarantee periods.

Choosing Plants for Summer Drought

All plants native to the coastal plain are adapted to summer drought. Success now hinges on selecting species that can survive the heat without supplemental irrigation. Sally Steele can provide a tailored list.

Bottom line: Get site-specific advice from the Coastal Federation, topdress with compost at the rates above, and choose drought-adapted species. This gives the new seed the best chance to establish a root system that will slow future erosion.