Southern Alberta saw one of those days when wind caused havock and fire last Sunday, March 28, 2021. When a wind event causes winds of 140km/hr, it's hard to imagine what might protect your soil. There are some tactics you can employ to hold your soil where you want it according to soil scientist Gurbir Dhillon Ph.D. Cover bare surfaces with vegetation such as winter cereals or forage crops as a useful tactic to reduce wind speed close to the surface. Vegetation holds soil particles together preventing their dislodging at high weed speeds. In the absence of crops, leave a protective crop residue or standing stubble to prevent wind erosion. You can also cover soil by spreading manure and straw on erosion-prone areas. Find more information and links to soil conservation practices in this post from Oct. 2020
Southern Alberta saw one of those days when wind caused havock and fire last Sunday, March 28, 2021. When a wind event causes winds of 140km/hr, it's hard to imagine what might protect your soil. There are some tactics you can employ to hold your soil where you want it according to soil scientist Gurbir Dhillon Ph.D.
Cover bare surfaces with vegetation such as winter cereals or forage crops as a useful tactic to reduce wind speed close to the surface. Vegetation holds soil particles together preventing their dislodging at high weed speeds.
In the absence of crops, leave a protective crop residue or standing stubble to prevent wind erosion. You can also cover soil by spreading manure and straw on erosion-prone areas.