Anything helps. I'm a big believer in burlap that comes in rolls myself. It may be cheaper and not only does the grass come right up through it, it keeps the birds from eating the seed.

About $100.00 for a 300 by 6 foot roll.

http://www.daybag.com/

I'd never build another pond without erosion control again.

If pigs could fly bacon would be harder to come by and there would be a lot of damaged trees.