What Is Hydroseeding?

When it’s time to replace, repair, or install a new lawn, you have several options. One popular approach is hydroseeding.

So, what is hydroseeding, and what are its benefits compared to traditional seeding methods? Hydroseeding involves spraying a “slurry” (a mixture of mulch, seeds, soil amendments, fertilizer, and water) from a hydroseeder tank. When the entire process is done correctly, the treated area will have uniform grass coverage.

Hydroseeding is used in various industries because it can cover lots of ground quickly. You’ve likely seen hydroseeding in action during the creation of athletic fields, parks, or even new housing developments. Of course, homeowners can hydroseed, too, but it does require renting the proper equipment.

How to Hydroseed

For successful DIY hydroseeding, follow this step-by-step process:

• Select the right seeds and time for your climate zone.
• Test the soil and adjust for appropriate ph levels.
• Clear the ground so that it’s completely bare.
• Grade the soil if it’s uneven.
• Apply about a 2-inch blend of topsoil and compost.
• Re-grade the soil so that it’s completely smooth.
• Add your blend to the hydroseeder.
• Turn on the agitator to thoroughly mix and create your special blend.
• Using a hydraulic machine, spray the hydroseed across the soil.

Once you’ve sprayed your special blend, maintenance is key. For the first few weeks, water two to three times a day to keep your lawn moist. Remember to keep pets and children off the lawn until it’s established!

How Does Hydroseeding Work?

The hydroseeder provides coverage over a large area quickly and evenly using high pressure. The mulch in the slurry benefits the seedlings by maintaining their moisture level. The mixture can retain up to 10 times its weight in water, allowing for healthy seed germination. This mixture protects the seeds with an eco-friendly moisture sealant.

Benefits of Hydroseeding

Hydroseeding has many advantages. It can help control soil erosion, keep weeds at bay, and minimize or eliminate dust pollution.

Other benefits of hydroseeding lawns include the following:

• It spreads evenly on the soil.
• You have the freedom to choose a seed blend that is best suited for your landscape.
• It has a greater resistance to disease than sod.
• It’s cost-effective for large spaces.
• Since mulch is already in the mix, it retains more moisture than other methods.
• Grass sprouts quickly. (The average time for sprouting is about one to two weeks.)

Hydroseeding Options

You can create your own hydroseeding slurry tailored to your needs and preferences.

When selecting the seeds you will use, check to make sure the climate and other environmental factors are suitable for their growth. Beyond that, the possibilities are endless. You might have a preference for fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass, Bermuda grass, or certain native grasses. Perhaps you wish to use wildflower seeds for various purposes. For instance, growing bird’s-foot trefoil may be helpful with erosion control. Other flower seeds may be chosen solely for aesthetic appeal or to reduce the areas of the lawn that need to be mowed.

There are also various mulches to consider for your slurry. Cellulose, wood fiber, and combination mulches can all be good choices, depending on your environment and goals. You can choose the fertilizer you’d like to use as well. There are many impressive granular, water-soluble, and liquid formulations.

You can use additives if you wish, and there are many to choose from. You even have various options for the tackifier you use to bind the materials to the ground’s surface. Some people prefer chemical adhesive compounds, while others choose organic materials such as guar, psyllium, or starch.

Factors to Consider Before Opting for Hydroseeding

Before you’re all in with hydroseeding, you’ll want to review some important factors. For example, it’s ideal for large spaces but may not be the best choice for small yards. You will also need to examine the condition of your property. Is it on a slope? It can be difficult to establish on slopes for the simple fact that it’s harder to keep a slope moist (water drains faster on a slope).

Climate is another factor to think about. Since you’ll need to keep the lawn moist, try to hydroseed in the spring, when the temperatures are cool. Dry, hot summer weather makes it difficult for grass to grow and establish before the cooler winter season arrives.

Is Hydroseeding Worth It for Your Lawn?

Hydroseeding is an investment, but it produces great returns. Having evenly growing grass with greater disease resistance and moisture retention is highly rewarding. And if you have a large area to cover, it can be more convenient and cost-effective than other methods in the long run. When deciding whether hydroseeding is for you, assess your property’s needs, review your budget, and remember that you can adjust the materials you’d like to use.

Reach out to your local The Grounds Guys® with any questions about hydroseeding or assistance with getting the job done. All our work is backed by the Neighborly Done Right Promise™, so you can be confident that our experts will do a stellar job.

Contact The Grounds Guys for a free estimate today!