Farm Plastic Supply - Straw Wattle - Straw Wattle, Wattles, Erosion Control, Slope Stabilization, Erosion Control Blanket

A couple of heavy rains last fall reminded me how quickly a bare slope can turn into a rutted mess. I put a few sections of this straw wattle to work along a driveway cut, across a small swale, and around a drain inlet. It was a straightforward install, and over the next storms I watched the sheet flow slow, the sediment drop out, and the landscape stay put. Here’s how it performed and how I’d use it again.

Build and form factor

This wattle is the classic 9-inch diameter by 12-foot length—a size that hits a sweet spot: substantial enough to back up water and trap fines, but manageable for one person to carry and place. The fill is tightly packed agricultural wheat straw, encased in a heavy-duty polypropylene grid. The casing is tougher than the flimsy netting you sometimes see; it resisted snagging on brush, didn’t tear during staking, and held shape once compressed into the trench.

Out of the wrap, the wattle was consistent in diameter and density with no voids. The ends were clean and easy to butt or overlap. If you plan to cut it to length, bring a serrated knife or pruning saw and some twine—cutting the net without tying off the cut end will invite straw to spill.

Installation experience

Wattles are only as good as the installation. My process:

• Trench: I cut a shallow trench about 2–3 inches deep, just enough to nest the wattle and eliminate underflow. On compacted or smooth surfaces, keying it in is essential.
• Stakes: I used 1x2 hardwood stakes, 18–24 inches long, every 2–3 feet, and at each overlap and end. Angling stakes slightly upslope helps pin the wattle tight to grade.
• Overlaps: I overlapped adjacent sections by 6–12 inches and staggered the joints so water wasn’t channeled through a seam. For inlets, I curved the wattle into a horseshoe with ends upturned to prevent flanking.
• Spacing on slopes: As a rule of thumb, I placed a row every 10–25 feet depending on slope. On gentler grades (4:1 or flatter), one row near the toe was enough; steeper sections benefited from two.

Everything went smoothly. The 12-foot length made it easy to work around landscaping without wrestling 20-foot sections, and a single person can place and pin it without help. I’d budget extra stakes for curves and high-flow spots.

Performance in the field

In light to moderate events, the wattle did exactly what it should: It slowed sheet flow, created shallow ponding, and left a telltale apron of sediment on the upslope side. I saw a noticeable reduction in rill formation on a freshly graded bank. Along a gravel driveway, it kept fines from migrating downslope and out of the site.

During one heavy downpour, I tested a section across a small channel. It held up well under moderate, shallow flow, but this is not a check dam for high-velocity water. Where I had a poorly seated overlap, a small bypass formed at the seam—a reminder that overlaps and trenching matter when flows concentrate.

I also used a short section to form a temporary ring around two new trees to keep mulch contained and keep runoff from scouring the root zone. The wattle’s flexibility made it easy to shape tight curves, and the grid casing tolerated being bent without splitting.

Durability and longevity

After a season in place, the casing showed minimal UV wear and the straw was still resilient, though slightly compressed where traffic and repeated wetting occurred. Expect active erosion prevention from fresh straw fill to be strongest in the first year or two; after that, the straw naturally breaks down. Left in place and maintained, the manufacturer’s 4–6 years of functional longevity is reasonable for the casing and structure, but performance will depend on climate, exposure, and maintenance.

Reusability is possible if you’re moving wattles between areas on the same site. The casing holds together after a few cycles of wetting and drying, as long as you tie off any new cuts and avoid dragging it over sharp edges. For multi-season use, I recommend storing spare sections dry and out of direct sun.

Environmental notes

The straw is biodegradable; the casing is a polypropylene grid. That plastic netting is durable, which is what you want for multi-year service, but it also means you should plan to retrieve wattles at the end of the project to keep plastic out of the environment. In areas with wildlife entanglement concerns or strict environmental commitments, a fully biodegradable coir wattle is an alternative, though it typically costs more and can be heavier to handle.

Where it fits—and where it doesn’t

This wattle excels at:
- Interrupting sheet flow on bare slopes
- Perimeter control and keeping sediment on site
- Protecting storm drain inlets from silt-laden runoff
- Stabilizing around newly planted trees and garden beds
- Acting as a quick, low-profile berm to redirect shallow flows

It’s less appropriate for:
- High-velocity channels where rock check dams or engineered wattles are safer
- Sites with heavy vehicular traffic crossing the line regularly
- Long-term, “install and forget” applications where a biodegradable alternative is preferred

Tips for better results

• Key it in: A shallow trench eliminates undercutting. Even one inch of water wants the path of least resistance.
• Stake generously: Every 2–3 feet on center, at ends and overlaps. Add extra on curves and at inlets.
• Turn the ends upslope: This keeps water from flanking around the edges, a common failure point.
• Overlap properly: 6–12 inches, with two stakes through the overlap. Avoid aligning seams with natural flow paths.
• Inspect after storms: Remove accumulated sediment, check for undercuts, and re-pin any lifted spots.
• Mind the mower: If these sit near turf, flag the stakes to avoid damage and surprises.
• Cut clean: If you need shorter lengths, tie off the net before you cut to keep the straw contained.

Comparisons and value

Compared to silt fence, wattles install faster, are less intrusive, and are immediately effective at slowing water and dropping out sediment. They won’t hold as much water back as a properly trenched silt fence under sustained flow, but for spot control and slope interruption they’re more versatile and less fussy.

Against coir wattles, these are lighter and easier to maneuver, with a bit more “give” when nesting to irregular grade. Coir tends to last longer in constantly wet environments and is fully biodegradable, but at the cost of weight and price. For most construction sites, landscaping projects, and short- to mid-term slope stabilization, this straw option is the more economical and flexible choice.

Maintenance and cleanup

Plan to service wattles after big events. Scrape back deposited sediment so you preserve capacity for the next storm, and re-tamp soil around the upslope edge if it settles. When the project wraps, cut stakes flush or remove them entirely, and pull wattles for reuse or disposal. The straw can be composted; the casing should be disposed of properly.

Pros

• Robust casing that resists tearing and UV for multi-season use
• Manageable 9-inch by 12-foot form—easy for solo installs and tight curves
• Effective at slowing sheet flow and trapping fines on slopes and around inlets
• Flexible enough for landscape applications like tree rings and bed borders
• Reasonable longevity with straightforward maintenance

Cons

• Polypropylene netting isn’t biodegradable—retrieval and disposal are on you
• Not suited for high-velocity channels without additional measures
• Straw fines will shed slightly during cutting or rough handling
• Requires proper trenching and staking to avoid underflow and flanking

Bottom line

I recommend this straw wattle for anyone who needs quick, dependable erosion and sediment control on slopes, around inlets, or along the perimeter of a project. It’s durable, easy to install, and effective when keyed in and staked properly. If your site has high-velocity flows or a mandate for fully biodegradable materials, look to coir or rock structures. For most residential and light commercial jobs, though, this wattle strikes the right balance of performance, handling, and longevity.