I've had similar experiences with erosion mats—thought they'd be perfect for my slope, but ended up with some weird slimy patches underneath. Maybe it's just trial and error depending on your local conditions? Funny enough, my best luck came when I tossed native wildflower seeds straight onto bare soil without prep (pure weekend laziness). Nature seems to appreciate spontaneity sometimes... Glad your switchgrass cooperated too.
Interesting you mention just tossing seeds onto bare soil...I've tried that a few times, and honestly, my results were pretty mixed. Did you notice any issues with weeds popping up alongside your wildflowers? I found prepping the soil—even minimally—helped keep unwanted plants down. Maybe it depends on how aggressive your local weeds are? Either way, erosion mats definitely aren't a one-size-fits-all solution, that's for sure.
I've tried tossing seeds straight onto bare soil too, and weeds were definitely an issue. Honestly, giving the ground a quick rake beforehand made a huge difference. Guess it really does depend on what's lurking in your local dirt...
"Guess it really does depend on what's lurking in your local dirt..."
Haha, ain't that the truth... Last spring, I skipped prepping the ground altogether—thought I'd outsmart nature. Ended up with weeds taller than my fence. Lesson learned: shortcuts usually mean twice the work later.
Haha, been there myself... weeds can be relentless. I tried laying landscape fabric once, thinking it'd be a quick fix. Worked great for a season, but eventually the weeds just punched right through it. Now I swear by prepping properly—takes longer upfront, but saves headaches later. Glad your shelter checked out though, peace of mind is priceless.
