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Newly hydroseeded areas require special attention during the first 30-45 days after their installation. By following these simple instructions, good germination and establishment should result. "IF NOT FOLLOWED EVERYTHING DONE IS WASTED"

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WATERING:        We cannot over emphasize the importance of proper watering during the germination and establishment period.

• Allow 24 hours for the slurry to cure (dry) after the application before watering.  This gives the mulch the opportunity to properly bond to the soil. Upon starting the watering program, the entire area must be watered every day.

  • ​You do not want puddling and/or runoff, just enough to thoroughly moisten the seed bed. This period of watering should be no longer then 7-14 days.

  • When temperatures do not exceed 20 Celsius, we advise watering a minimum of 2 times a day.

  • When the temps are above 20 Celsius, we advise watering a minimum of 4 times a day.

  • ​Once the seed germinates, we advise you to water for longer periods of time but less often. This will train the roots to “chase” water by growing deeper making for a healthier and stronger plant. We recommend you water for 35 minutes and then not water again for 2 days.

  • 30 days after hydroseeding you want to water deeply and infrequently to achieve at least 1″ of water a week.

  • The best time to water is starting at sunrise and be finished by mid-morning. Fungus thrives in moist dark environments, if you water late at night your area will be wet for a longer period. Watering early in the morning will let the water seep into the root zone and dry quickly in the sunlight.

• If there is an irrigation system, we advise to set it to as many cycles as possible (4-6 times a day) until germination, then reduce.

  • Set 8-minute cycles starting at 8am, 10am 12pm, 3pm, 5pm and 7pm. The times may vary as you do not want puddling and runoff but enough to thoroughly moisten the seed bed.

• If there is no irrigation system, try to always and keep the seed bed moist. This is important especially during hot humid weather. Of course, you have no control over the rain so enjoy it while it lasts.

• If seeding was done during drought conditions, we recommend holding off the first watering until the first rain. Upon getting a rainfall start the watering program immediately by following these instructions. If there is no rainfall within 7-14 days start the watering program.

 

GERMINATION:   The conventional seeding season in Southern Ontario for most grasses is when daytime air temperatures range between 15 - 24 degrees Celsius (59 - 75 degrees Fahrenheit), and ground temperatures are at least 15 degrees Celsius (59 degrees Fahrenheit) and regular rainfall is anticipated, e.g., May, June, late August, and September. Most seeds have built in natural self defense mechanism, which inhibits germination when temperatures are outside this range. Most seeds will generally remain dormant until temperatures are within this range and it may take longer for seed to germinate.

• Due to the differences in PH levels and compaction in soil, it is not uncommon to have areas that are slow in the germination process. Many of these areas will fill in once weekly mowing begins. You must ensure that slow germinating areas are not due to the lack of water or over watering that washes the seed away.

• Seed mixtures have a spectrum of germination times for different seeds within the mixture. It is especially important to water the area according to the above frequency schedule. Failure to water properly may result in less germination or longer germination times. The timeline for seed germination in Southern Ontario will vary depending on seed choices. For example:

  • Rye Grasses germinate in as few as 6-14 days

  • Fescue Grasses germinate in around 14-28 days,

  • Some species of Blue Grass will take 28-42 days or longer to germinate

  • Specialty mixtures (Wildflowers) up to 3 seasons

 

FIRST MOWING:    Once the new seed has grown to an average of 3” it is time to perform the first cutting. Prior to mowing for the first time, allow the area to dry out just so the mower will not leave ruts. This drying period should be no more than 48 hours. Set the mower between 3” to 4”.

• Ensure that the mower blade is sharp. The seedlings are young and not well rooted so it will tear up easily if the blade is dull, so mow carefully.

• Do not cut more than ¾” off at any one time. Allow the clippings to drop down, so they can decompose to provided food help and to keep the soil from drying out.

• After mowing for the first time, it is important to begin watering immediately after the mowing according to the above frequency schedule.

 

MAINTENANCE MOWING:          Mowing allows sunlight to the soil surface, which will warm the soil, but dry it out.

• It is not healthy to allow most grasses to grow taller than 4” as when you cut you will stress it by cutting off excessive shoot growth.

• It is not healthy to cut more than ¾” off the plants when you cut you will stress it, which reduces growth.

• After the seed has established mowing height should be 31/2" to 4".

 

FERTILIZING:                      We recommend that you should apply an application of STARTER FERTILIZER of 8-32-16 after the first mowing.

• Fertilize 3-4 times annually thereafter with a good quality fertilizer.

• Read and follow the recommended application rates on the bag of fertilizer is particularly important

• Over fertilizing may burn the plants so use caution when applying the fertilizer.

• After fertilizing it is important to watering immediately according to the above frequency schedule.

 

WEED CONTROL:              Weeds are in the soil and over time with proper maintenance (Mowing, Fertilizing, Watering) most weeds will be controlled as competition from the maturing plants increase, over time the weeds will be eventually choked out.

• We cannot over emphasize the importance of “NOT” using any type of weed control product until plants have matured enough to withstand the treatment. The seedlings are young, not strong, or well rooted, so they are susceptible to the products.

• We recommend a minimum of at least 8 weeks after seeding before applying any type of weed control product to the seeded area. (see manufactures label for recommendations).