When we were making a soccer field, we scrapped off quite a bit of dirt to level the field. The problem now is that we have an erosion problem. The scrapped area is maybe 1 acre or a little more (yes, we moved a lot of dirt). We would like to plant an inexpensive ground cover to stabilize the soil. We would like it to be perennial without irrigation and we really do not care what it looks like. And we would like to plant it now. Any suggestions?

-John

Where are you?

We are just south of Dallas in Ovilla.

Nothing in the perennial category is available for planting now. Elbon rye is the best plant to germinate now and provide some degree of erosion control. It's not the ideal time - that would have been late September. Replanting will need to be done in April with bermuda or buffalograss.

your situation is not exactly clear - but...
consider what the highway departments use for erosion control with semi- big rocks (not big enough to be considered boulders). these will difuse the water flow & minimize run off in ruts. you indicate you want minimal $ & don't care what it looks like. some ideas that come to my mind are... turks cap. prefers some p.m. shade but the root system on these baby's are amazing. they have proven to me that they have great soil holding ability. the never fail are certain specie of juniper. of the two - once established - juniper may tolerate absolute neglect better than turks cap. in my opinion - there are no instant fixes - only fairly quick ones.