6 Best Straw Erosion Blankets For Steep Garden Slopes That Stop Washouts
Prevent washouts on steep slopes. Our guide reviews the top 6 straw erosion blankets that stabilize soil, control erosion, and aid seed germination.
There’s nothing more heartbreaking than watching a heavy spring rain wash away all your hard work. You spend a weekend grading a slope, spreading good compost, and scattering expensive seed, only to find deep gullies and piles of mud at the bottom the next day. An erosion control blanket is the single best tool to stop that from happening. It’s the difference between a lush, stable hillside and a recurring mudslide.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!
Why Your Steep Slope Needs an Erosion Blanket
A steep slope is fighting gravity every second of every day. When you add water, you create the perfect recipe for erosion. Loose topsoil and new seeds are the first things to go, carried away by the sheet flow of water.
An erosion blanket acts like a protective shield for your soil. It breaks the impact of raindrops, preventing them from dislodging soil particles. It also slows the flow of water across the surface, giving it time to soak in rather than run off. This simple layer of straw held in a photodegradable net keeps your seed in place, holds moisture against the soil to speed up germination, and protects the fragile seedlings once they sprout. It’s cheap insurance for your soil and your labor.
North American Green S75: The All-Purpose Standard
If you’re not sure where to start, the S75 is your answer. This is the workhorse of erosion control for moderate slopes—think of that bank behind the new shed or the sides of a drainage swale. It uses a single layer of netting on top to hold a consistent layer of agricultural straw.
The S75 provides excellent protection for slopes up to a 2:1 grade, which covers most situations on a hobby farm. It’s designed to last about 12 months, giving your new grass or groundcover plenty of time to establish a solid root system. Once the vegetation takes over, the blanket’s job is done, and the netting slowly breaks down in the sunlight. It strikes the perfect balance between effectiveness and cost for the majority of projects.
Curlex I Straw Blanket: A Fast-Germinating Choice
Sometimes, speed is the most important factor. The Curlex I blanket is my go-to when I need to get grass growing fast. It’s made of straw, but it also includes unique, curled aspen wood fibers. These fibers are the key.
The wood fibers act like tiny sponges, absorbing and holding more water right against the seedbed. This creates a humid microclimate that dramatically speeds up germination. The curled fibers also interlock, creating a stronger, loftier mat that offers superior erosion protection from day one. It costs a bit more, but if you’re seeding in a hot, dry spell or need to stabilize a critical area before the next big storm, the faster root establishment is worth every penny.
US Erosion Jute/Straw Mat for Tougher Slopes
When you’re dealing with a truly steep slope or an area that gets concentrated water flow, a standard single-net blanket might not be enough. This is where a combination jute and straw mat shines. It features a heavy-duty, biodegradable jute netting on the bottom and a photodegradable synthetic net on top.
The jute provides a tough, long-lasting foundation that grips the soil surface, while the top net locks the straw in place. This dual-net construction makes it incredibly durable. It can handle higher water velocity and steeper grades without tearing or slumping. Think of it as a step up in armor for those problem spots that have washed out before. The jute will eventually decompose, adding organic matter to the soil long after the grass has taken hold.
SRW S2 Double Net: Extra Durability for Washouts
The SRW S2 is another heavy-hitter for challenging situations. Like the jute mat, it’s a double-net blanket, but it typically uses synthetic netting on both the top and bottom. This provides maximum tensile strength and durability for the most demanding applications.
This is the blanket you use for the steepest, longest slopes or for lining a ditch that carries a lot of water after a storm. The double netting creates a tightly bound "straw sandwich" that simply doesn’t come apart, even under the stress of rushing water or foot traffic. This is your solution for areas that have repeatedly failed. While it may be overkill for a gentle slope, it provides peace of mind for those critical areas where you cannot afford another washout.
Agfabric Straw Blanket: A Budget-Friendly Option
Let’s be realistic: sometimes you have a huge area to cover and a limited budget. The Agfabric blanket is a solid, no-frills option that gets the basic job done without the higher cost of premium brands. It’s a single-net straw blanket that provides good, temporary erosion control for gentle to moderate slopes.
Where’s the tradeoff? The straw layer might be a little thinner, and the netting might not be as heavy-duty as more expensive options. But for a large, newly graded pasture edge or a long, gentle bank, it’s often more than enough. It’s far better to cover a large area with a budget-friendly blanket than to leave half of it bare because you ran out of money. It effectively protects seed and soil for that crucial first growing season.
American Excelsior E-Straw for Gentle Slopes
Not every problem slope is a steep, gully-washing monster. For those gentler grades or areas where you want a product that disappears more completely, the E-Straw blanket is an excellent choice. It’s a very light-duty, single-net blanket designed for slopes of 3:1 or flatter.
The main benefit here is its rapid degradation. It’s designed to protect the soil just long enough for vegetation to take root and then get out of the way. Some versions even use 100% biodegradable netting, making them a great choice for environmentally sensitive areas or places where you want absolutely no synthetic material left behind. It’s easy to handle, easy to install, and perfect for projects where you just need a little bit of help to get things started.
How to Properly Install Your Erosion Blanket
Buying the right blanket is only half the battle; installing it correctly is what makes it work. Poor installation is the number one reason erosion blankets fail. Start by preparing the soil. It should be graded smooth, free of rocks and clumps, and seeded before you lay the blanket down.
Always unroll the blanket in the direction that water flows—from the top of the slope to the bottom. Never lay it across the slope. Overlap the edges of adjacent rolls by at least four to six inches to prevent water from getting underneath. Most importantly, use landscape staples to secure it. You need to anchor the blanket tightly to the ground, especially at the top of the slope, along the edges, and down the middle. A good rule is one to two staples per square yard, and more in any ditches or channels. The blanket must have intimate contact with the soil to do its job.
Choosing the right erosion blanket isn’t about finding the single "best" product, but about matching the blanket’s strength and design to the specific needs of your slope. A simple, budget-friendly roll is perfect for a gentle incline, while a tough, double-netted mat is a wise investment for a steep, stubborn washout zone. By making the right choice and installing it properly, you’re not just stopping erosion—you’re protecting your soil, your seed, and your time.
