Erosion Control Using Jute Matting

Construction and landscaping industries use burlap and jute fabrics such as sandbags, burlap rolls, and burlap mats to plan and prepare land to erect new structures for environmental remediation. If soil is prepared and used properly in advance, man-made and natural disasters can be substantially minimized. Products containing plant fibers are valuable tools to use to control erosion because they can be used in a variety of different ways. When other landscaping structures are installed and new plants begin to grow, it will biodegrade.

• Jute mesh contains large square grids that give plants sufficient room to grow through. Our 100% natural “Soil Saver” matting will also hold moisture for enhanced seed germination. These grids eventually biodegrade, so you won’t have to worry about removing them later on.
• Burlap controls erosion immediately on steep slopes that are prone to destabilization, and biodegrades over a period of time.

If you’re looking for a fabric that controls erosion, jute matting is made from all-natural biodegradable fiber that can be woven into either a groundcover net or cloth to keep erosion at a low level. The matting can be used for commercial or residential purposes, is easy to install, and environmentally friendly. Erosion removes top soil by wind, snowmelt, or rainwater runoff. If erosion is left unchecked, places where sudden or high rainfall occurs could contribute to landslides and earth movement, which can put nearby roadways, homes, and businesses at risk. The best way to combat against prolonged erosion is to use groundcover or grow grass; however, it can be difficult to get plants to properly root on steep, sloped surfaces. Jute mesh can be used to cover seeded or mulched landscapes, and also holds seeds and top soil securely in place to increase germination rates and reduce erosion.

It’s best to use jute on hillsides that are small and steep, but it can also be used in flat areas without mulch to improve germination and reduce dust. In overlapping rows, apply jute matting up and down a slope. Never apply it along the contour horizontally.

Installing Jute Matting

1. Before you begin, remove any impediments, including rocks, from the slope. Once you’re finished seeding, cover the area completely with a layer of organic mulch or straw.

2. At the top of the seeded area, dig an eight-inch deep, six-inch wide trench.

3. Unroll the jute mesh down the slope and start laying it down. The top end of the matting should be folded into the trench and backfilled to keep it in place.

4. The ends must overlap by a minimum of three feet if you need to cover the seeded area with another downhill roll.

5. The ends of the matting should overlap the first row by four inches when a second row is started at the trench.

6. The dirt in the trench should be tamped down so that it’s level with the surface after the entire area has been covered with matting.

7. Use staples or anchor pins to secure the jute. Make sure they’re placed at least one foot apart along downhill overlaps and across the bottom and the top of the matting. The horizontal and side overlaps should be anchored every five feet, and the staples or anchor pins should be six inches in length. If the soil is sandy, it may require longer pins. You may need to use a mallet in order to drive the pins securely into the ground. Because jute uses organic materials, it will degrade slowly, which will not only improve soil quality, but also fertilize the new seedlings.

Contact NYP Corp or view our Erosion Control products!