Erosion control

When My Neighbor’s Yard Slid Into Mine…

Back in the spring of 2020, we had one of those nonstop Houston rains. The kind where the sky just sits on your house for three days. My neighbor in Cypress had this nice hill in their backyard—real pretty—but built all wrong. No groundcover, no proper drainage, and zero erosion control. You can probably guess what happened next.

Their mulch, topsoil, and half of their St. Augustine grass came sliding down and pooled right behind my shed. I ended up with a swamp in my backyard, and a mosquito party I didn’t RSVP to.

That’s when I learned that erosion control in Houston isn’t just for construction sites or people with big properties. It’s something every homeowner should think about—especially around here, where the rain doesn’t mess around.

Why Erosion is a Big Deal in Houston Yards

Houston soil is mostly clay. When it’s dry, it’s hard as concrete. But when it rains? It turns slick and soft—like pudding under your feet. And that means yards can shift fast, especially if they’re sloped or missing groundcover.

Here’s what erosion looks like:

• Washed-out mulch beds
• Exposed roots around your trees
• Gaps in your lawn where grass won’t stay put
• Standing water near patios or fences

That’s not just ugly—it messes with your foundation, your fences, and your plants. I’ve seen homes in Katy, Tomball, and even inside the Loop start to shift because yards weren’t draining right.

What Actually Works for Erosion Control?

Let’s break it down like I would for a neighbor asking me over the fence.

1. Groundcover Installation (It’s in our name for a reason)

We plant thick, spreading plants like mondo grass, liriope, or native sedges to hold the soil together. These work great for shaded areas in places like The Heights or Memorial Park. Groundcovers don’t just stop erosion—they make your yard look finished.

2. Proper Grading

Sometimes the land just needs to be shaped better. Slopes should guide water away from the house, not toward it. We use laser levels and a lot of common sense. You’d be surprised how many yards in Houston Heights are graded the wrong way.

3. French Drains & Channel Drains

These are hidden drains that carry water underground. French drains are perfect for places like Sugar Land where heavy clay holds water like a sponge. It keeps everything below the surface and out of sight.

4. River Rock and Mulch Borders

We use native river rock to slow down runoff, especially around flower beds. Mulch helps too, but it has to be the right kind — something that sticks, not the lightweight stuff that floats down the street.

5. Retaining Walls

For bigger slopes, especially in spots like Kingwood or Spring, we build small walls with stone or block to hold the soil in place. We design them to blend into the landscape, not stick out like a sore thumb.

Why It Matters Now More Than Ever

Houston’s been seeing more intense rain lately. The Memorial Day Flood, Tax Day Flood, Harvey — they’ve all taught homeowners that waiting isn’t smart. If your yard has standing water, cracked soil, or runoff after a storm, that’s your lawn telling you something.

Erosion also kills your grass. You ever notice bald spots after a storm in areas that used to be green? That’s water taking the soil with it. No soil = no grass.

Houston Areas We Know Like Our Own Backyards

We’ve done erosion control in:

• Bellaire (tight properties, careful grading needed)
• River Oaks (high-end landscapes with invisible drainage)
• Tomball and Cypress (sloped yards and hardpan clay)
• Third Ward (older homes with settling issues)
• Pearland (expansive backyards and poor water flow)

Each neighborhood has different soil, slope, and shade patterns—and we adjust to that.

What You Can Do Right Now

If you’ve got soft spots in your yard, mulch that floats after storms, or areas where your fence is leaning—don’t wait. Erosion control isn’t a “someday” thing.

You don’t have to do everything at once. Start with a walk-through. We’ll tell you straight up if it’s a big job, a small tweak, or something you can handle yourself. We’ve helped a homeowner in Garden Oaks fix their drainage with just a few well-placed rocks and liriope.

Sometimes it's that simple.

Houston Lawn Talk: Real Questions We Get All the Time

“Is groundcover better than sod for stopping erosion?”
Yep—especially on slopes or shady spots where grass won't grow. We mix both, depending on what your yard needs.

“Do French drains actually work in clay soil?”
They do if they’re done right. We use gravel and fabric liners to keep them clean and moving.

“Is erosion covered by homeowners insurance?”
Usually not. That's why fixing it early is cheaper than waiting till it wrecks your fence or patio.

Final Thoughts from a Guy Who’s Been in a Lot of Yards

Look, I’ve walked through yards in Alief, Montrose, and West U where people thought they had a “grass problem.” Turns out it was water. Erosion is sneaky like that. You don’t notice it until it wrecks your landscaping—or worse, your foundation.

If your soil is shifting, your mulch is disappearing, or you’re just tired of fighting bare spots—we can help.

We’re local. We care. And we’ve been muddy before.

Want to learn more about how erosion impacts your Houston neighborhood? Check out:

• Harris County Flood Control
• Texas A&M Agrilife Extension

Need help? Call or text. Ava Landscape 832-651-4072 We’ll swing by and take a look. No pressure. Just honest advice from folks who’ve been fixing Houston yards for years.