AK TRADING CO. Jute Erosion Control, Soil Saver Mesh Blanket - 48" Wide x 20 Yards (60 feet Long) - 240 Sq. Ft. Coverage

Why I reached for this jute mesh

Erosion control isn’t glamorous, but few things are more satisfying than seeing a bare, slippery slope turn into stable, living ground. I picked up the AK Trading Soil Saver jute mesh to tame a couple of problem spots: a small roadside bank that kept shedding seed and topsoil with every rain, and a muddy dog-run corridor that never had a chance to dry. I wanted something natural, temporary, and open enough to let seedlings find daylight. The jute blanket checked those boxes on paper, and in practice it mostly delivered.

What it is

This is a woven jute mesh, 48 inches wide by a nominal 20 yards long, with about 240 square feet of total coverage. It’s a coarse, rope-like weave—think sturdy garden twine scaled up into a net—which is ideal for holding soil in place while still allowing rain, air, and seedlings to pass through. Because it’s jute, it’s biodegradable and integrates into the soil over time rather than lingering as plastic netting.

It’s not a pre-seeded mat and doesn’t come with straw or coconut fiber fill. If you need a blanket that doubles as mulch, there are straw/coconut (coir) options for that. This is a simple, tough net whose primary job is to anchor the surface and break the force of water and wind while vegetation establishes.

Handling and installation

My 20-yard unit arrived folded rather than rolled. That’s not a deal-breaker, but it does mean you’ll likely need to fully unfold it before cutting, and creases take a couple of days outdoors to relax. The material is heavier than it looks in photos; that weight is an asset on windy sites, but plan on a second set of hands if you’re working on a slope.

A few installation notes from the field:

• Cutting: It cuts cleanly with sharp shears or tin snips. Expect some unraveling at the cut edges, especially across the weave. Folding the cut edge under, tying with a short length of twine, or heat-shrinking a natural-fiber twine wrap can keep the edge tidy. On long straight cuts, I preferred folding under by an inch and stapling through the double layer.

• Anchoring: Use 6-inch (or longer) landscape staples or sod pins. For the full 240 square feet, I used roughly 100 staples—a grid every 18–24 inches with closer spacing at seams and around the perimeter. On steeper areas, I added extra along the flow path of water. Plastic pins worked in softer soils but steel had better bite and can be pulled later.

• Slope detail: Trenching the upslope edge is worth the effort. I cut a shallow 4–6 inch trench at the top of the slope, tucked the leading edge of the mesh into it, backfilled, and tamped. That stops water from sneaking under and lifting the blanket.

• Seams: Overlap adjacent runs by 4–6 inches. On steeper grades, go 8 inches and stagger seams so they don’t line up across the slope.

• Seeding: I broadcast seed and raked in a thin layer of compost/topsoil first, then laid the jute on top. The openings are generous enough that seedlings poke through easily. If you’re seeding a fine lawn, reduce seeding rates a bit—the mesh helps hold moisture and improves germination.

One small surprise: the blanket had a faint kerosene-like smell out of the package. That’s not unusual with jute; it dissipated within a day in open air and wasn’t noticeable once installed.

Performance on tricky ground

On the road-facing bank, the blanket did exactly what I needed. The mesh checked the splash and sheet flow that had been washing seed downslope, and it trapped just enough silt to start building a stable surface. Germination was markedly better than previous attempts—no more “seed shuffleboard” every time it rained. Because the weave holds a bit of moisture at the surface, I was able to cut back on irrigation without stressing the seedlings.

In the dog-run strip, the mesh turned an ankle-deep mud track into a grippy, usable surface almost immediately. The open weave gives paws traction, and because the soil underneath stayed put, I didn’t end up with the usual ruts and potholes. I still had to be diligent about anchoring—active dogs can snag corners if they’re not well pinned—but once stapled on a tight grid, it stayed put through days of rain and repeated sprints.

This is not the most refined-looking erosion control option. On a front-and-center lawn, a finer coir mat might blend better. But for utility areas, slopes, roadside strips, and beds you’re actively establishing, the function-first look is a reasonable tradeoff.

Durability and decomposition

Jute’s strength is in the early months: it’s tough when new, grippy underfoot, and resists UV long enough for plants to take over. In my climate, I expect a useful life of 6–12 months exposed. In shaded or arid conditions it may persist a bit longer; in full sun and frequent wet/dry cycles it will gradually weaken. That’s the point—it yields the stage to roots as they knit the soil.

I didn’t see any harmful residues or synthetic netting left behind. As sections weathered, fibers broke down into the soil. If you need multi-year protection or have high-flow channels, a heavier coir blanket or a double-net erosion control mat might be a better choice. For general slopes, beds, and construction-disturbed areas where vegetation can establish within a season, this jute mesh is right in its element.

Sizing and packaging accuracy

Width was spot-on at 48 inches across. Length on my roll measured just shy of the full 60 feet—close enough that with overlaps and trimming I still covered my planned area, but it’s worth measuring before you lay out staple lines. Plan coverage with a little margin, especially if you anticipate generous overlaps on steeper slopes.

Also note the units: total coverage is about 240 square feet, not square meters. If you’re estimating for larger projects, don’t mix those up.

Where it excels

• Stabilizing slopes and embankments while seed establishes
• Holding seed and topsoil in place on light to moderate grades
• Reducing muddy traffic lanes (pets, footpaths) during establishment
• Temporary surface protection around new plantings and garden beds
• Sites where you want a biodegradable option without plastic netting

What could be better

• Cut-edge fraying: Manageable, but plan to fold, tie, or heavily staple cut ends.
• Aesthetics: The coarse weave is visible; it’s a functional look rather than a stealth one.
• Packaging: Shipping folded adds creases and requires more prep than a roll.
• Length tolerance: Mine ran slightly short. If you need every inch, buy an extra roll or step up to the longer size.

Tips for best results

• Trench the upslope edge and overlap seams generously.
• Use more staples than you think—especially near edges, curves, and water flow lines.
• Seed and amend first; the mesh goes on top.
• For tidy borders along walkways, fold the edge under before stapling.
• On high-visibility areas, dust a thin layer of compost over the mesh to soften the look while keeping openings clear.

The bottom line

The Soil Saver jute mesh is a straightforward, effective erosion control blanket that does the hard work of keeping soil and seed in place while plants get established. It’s biodegradable, easy to handle with basic tools, and robust enough to stay put through real weather and foot (or paw) traffic when it’s properly anchored. It’s not the prettiest option and the cut ends will try to unravel if you don’t manage them, but the tradeoffs are minor compared with the stability it provides in those first critical weeks.

Recommendation: I recommend this jute mesh for homeowners, landscapers, and gardeners who need a natural, temporary erosion control solution on slopes, beds, and utility areas. It offers reliable early-stage protection, improves germination by holding moisture and seed where you put it, and disappears as vegetation takes over—exactly what a soil saver should do. If you need a long-term, polished appearance or are managing high-flow water channels, consider a heavier coir blanket or a filled erosion control mat instead. Otherwise, this is a solid, dependable choice that earns its keep.