Having just completed this pond and having nothing to hold the banks I was wondering if anyone had a recommendation for the type of grass to plant around the pond edges.

I would also like to know if old tires could be used around the edges to hold back the erosion. Would they work or not, and how to go about it.

Kevin,

I recently went through the exact same scenario, only I'm in the south, so I can't help you with the types of grasses to use. However, I can give you some advice.

Talk to your local conservation office and get suggestions on grasses from them. Consider if you want it to be native grass or a pasture-like grass for livestock. Also consider you sunlight conditions. I used a native mix of grasses for wildlife such as, deer and turkey. Using a native grass will also eliminate the need for fertilizers.

When ordering the seeds, order a little more than you think you'll need. You'll probably end up like me and end up spreadomg it pretty generously, having to order more.

My wife and I walked our pond and spread the seed by hand. It took me a couple of weeks to get back out there and cover up the seeds by dragging a 5' roll of chicken wire behind my atv, but after I did sprouts starting coming up. [Note: I'd use something longer than I roll of chicken wire if I were to do it again.] Pulling something (like a section of chain link fence) behind an atv is a good way probably. Be sure to use something that is heavy enough to move some dirt and not get ripped to shreds by tree roots. Secure the device with chains for added weight. Not getting the seeds covered up with dirt will prevent them from germinating and they will wash down into your pond. I was told you can also mulch by spreading square bales of bermuda hay, but that sounded too expensive and time consuming for me. Depends on your pond size.

Also, try to spread the seeds when you know some rains are coming. However, give yourself time to cover the seeds up with dirt before a big storm rolls into town!

Hi Kevin I used bermuda as the pond is in full sun. I plugged the banks and then spread the seed and on top spread out bermuda hay to hold in the moisture. Seems to work good here in Alabama but not sure what your native grasses are but find one that spreads roots like bermuda.

For your area red top or rye grass should work great and fill in quickly. To keep from having to fertilize try adding a little ladino clover.

Kevin,

If you don't mind spending the money you can lay burlap over your grass seed and stake it down with wire staples to prevent erosion. Your grass will come up right through the burlap. By the time your grass is established the burlap will deteriorate.

It's about $100.00 with shipping for 100 yard by 6 foot rolls.

I've had heavy downpours and absolutely no erosion on very steep banks.

I fill my new ponds with well water and this keeps them clear. I absolutely hate dealing with muddy/clay suspended ponds and this prevents it.

http://www.daybag.com/

Cecil Baird1,
That is a good price. I bought the woven twine and straw from the supplier the highway department uses locally and paid $50 for 100' which is a pretty decent price also. I also like using the erosion fence with stakes you can get from HD, Lowe's, Menards..... I put it halfway down the hill and around the pond. I used the wire staples to hold the mats and the bottom of the fence down. Make sure there is plenty of straw around the fence especially where you're force the water to go.
Which grass to use is a tough question. I don't like tall fescue, but I used is around the house and on that side of the pond. The other side I used perennial rye grass and plant 700 oak seedlings. The dam I planted in native warm season grasses and wildflowers and straw it for two years, but it was worth the trouble because of the wildlife value and looks.

Thanks for all of the replies. I had already seeded the dam with a native grass mixture, that has a habitat mixture for birds, butterflies, and deer. I am having a problem with the volunteer hemp. It seems to come up where ever you scratch the dirt. In my full time job as a State Trooper I have run up and down the high ways arresting those that havest this nasty weed. I catch alot of grief from my neighbors about my new crop, and whether this is just a lazy way of attracting new business.

For the edges of the pond I will look at the Rye and explore what exactly red top is. My seed cataloge talks about how the Red Top works well in wet , poorly drained soils. Looks like this combo could be the answer for our area.

I have also sent some posts on suspended clay in my pond and hope the grass's will help provide the needed cover to hold the banks.

With all the push for native warm season grasses,no one talks about the "better" cool season grasses. IMHO redtop is the most under rated of the cool season grasses. It grows on almost any soil, very seldom creates a dense sod { unlike fescue} to allow for small quail to feed, almost all animals can use this grass, and if mowed makes a lush looking lawn.

H20fwlkillr, thanks for the info on Red Top grass. Our new pond & future home site is 1.5 hours south east of Kansas City (32" annual rainfall), and we are looking for a durable grass. We would like to mow the grass around the home but allow the grass to grow on the dam for the quail. Our watershed is larger than our pond, so the banks are flooded a few days every month and a half. Should we consider planting Red Top? How often does it need mowed? (similar to fescue?) One web site we visited stated Red Top's life span was 3 years. Is this correct? Any Info would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance!
Mark

Red Top should be fine being flooded, it tollerates wet conditions well. It doesn't grow as fast as fescue, nor quite as tall. I would keep it mowed the first year ( cut as tall as possible to keep weeds down ) and then only mow it when you want to.
1.5 hours SE of KC huh??? That puts you in the Clinton/Butler area doesn't it??

Thanks for the reply!
Mark
PS- We are southWEST of KC- Sorry for the typo!

Plantoats in the pond and do not worry about the edges have you ever seen a pond that did not have grass growing like mad around the edges? Worry about what best for the fish, Yes oats.