Netting for Grass Seed

Erosion control netting holds soil in place while grass seed grows.

Erosion control netting holds soil in place while grass seed grows.

Grass helps to stabilize soil and prevent erosion; the network of stolons, tubers and grass roots bind the soil in place. Steep slopes make it tricky to establish healthy turf because rain can wash the soil away before grass seeds germinate. Erosion control netting installed on a slope holds soil in place until healthy grass with strong roots becomes established.


Erosion control netting is used to prevent erosion on steep, bare slopes that are freshly graded with bare soil or with minimal grass. The netting may be installed before sowing the grass seed or after planting the grass, depending on the coverage between the weave. Netting is especially beneficial if you have light, sandy soil, which tends to erode more quickly than heavy soil. Additionally, rocky slopes can benefit from erosion control netting, but the netting must be installed tightly against the soil to prevent rocks from eroding under the fabric.


Grass seed netting can be made of synthetic or natural materials, including jute netting, burlap coir, monofilament or multifilament. These materials are all either biodegradable or photodegradable, which means they will eventually decompose instead of remaining permanent fixtures on the slope. Depending on the thickness and type of material used, the grass seed netting takes about three years to decompose -- plenty of time to establish healthy grass that prevents erosion on the slope.


Erosion control netting open-space percentages come in three basic types: type A, type B and type C. As a general rule, the greater the open-space percentage, the easier it is for grass to grow through the net. Consequently, wider gaps means more space through which soil can erode, so these larger nets are better for more gradual slopes. Type A has the largest open area percentage at 65 percent and is ideal for slopes with a grade of up to 3:1, that is, 3 feet of horizontal run for every 1 foot of vertical rise. Type B netting has 50-percent open space and works for steep slopes up to 1:1. Seed can be sown before or after installing type B netting but works better if seed is sown first. Type C is a tightly woven netting with 39-percent open space that provides superior erosion control on steep slopes. Seed is sown before installing the type C netting, but grass might have difficulty growing through the open spaces.


Erosion control netting is sold in rolls that you unroll on the hill and cut to fit. The netting should roll from top to bottom on the hill instead of side to side. The sides of each strip of netting should overlap the previous strip by about 6 inches to prevent soil from eroding through the joints. Additionally, when more than one roll of netting is needed to extend from the top to bottom of the slope, the adjoining ends of each piece should overlap by 3 feet. Extend the netting at least 3 feet beyond the bottom of the slope. The netting is secured to the slope with pins or staples made from heavy galvanized wire, using one pin or staple every 5 feet along the slope and every 1 foot at each end of a roll of netting. J-shaped hook pins should be about 10 inches long or longer for sandy soils; U-shaped staples should be about 6 inches or longer for sandy soils.

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