HYDROSEEDING

 

WHAT IS IT?             Hydroseeding is an application of a water-based slurry mixture of seed, mulch, fertilizer, and other additives applied simultaneously under pressure over PREPARED SOIL for a quick and effective way to get a lush, green, and healthy lawn, or re-establish vegetation in an area that has been disrupted by construction activities or natural disasters. However, hydroseeding is much more than just slopping some seed and mulch on the ground and hoping it will grow!

​Just about any place where the ground has been disturbed from construction activities or natural disasters you will find hydroseeders being used to keep the soil from eroding away due to wind and rain, to establish or re-establish vegetation. (lawns, ground covers, wildflowers) Hydroseeding is practical for residential lawns large-scale projects and virtually anything in between. Hydroseeding applications can be customized to meet the individual needs of practically any project.

​

​HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?        Generally, hydroseeding should cost less than other seeding processes like terraseeding or slit seeding, but more than broadcast/dry seeding. But regrettably, there is “NO” set price due to several key factors (Variables) that will affect the final amount you can expect to pay. The key factors needed to be considered will include:

• Location (Where is the job located)

• Size of Project (In acres/hectares or square feet/ square meters)

• Material Requirements (Mulch, seeds, tackifiers, fertilizers, additives etc.)

• Application Conditions (Slope and/or Grade)

• Accessibility Conditions (Roadside, Hose Pull or Limited/Restricted)

Should you be given a price for hydroseeding over the phone without any of these factors, most likely then some of these factors were not incorporated into the stated price. The most common factor omitted is likely to be the minimum charge. Keep in mind costs are very general and depending on your area could fluctuate wildly.

 

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO HYDROSEED?   When to hydroseed depends on your climate. The ideal time in Southern Ontario for most grasses is during those seasonal periods 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, September and Early October. Spring and fall are considered the best times of the year to hydroseed to ensure a good result from your efforts. These times of year generally provide the milder, wetter environments that are beneficial for hydroseed to establish and grow well. The anticipated rainfall will help defray the costs of watering.

• Spring hydroseeding takes advantage of spring rains and cooler temperatures which makes for particularly good growing conditions. However, frost can be hard on seed, slowing down and sometimes even killing seeds, so make sure you are planning to hydroseed late enough in the spring, so frost is not likely. The disadvantage of spring seeding is if followed by a hot summer, it may take more watering for the first year to keep it alive and thriving in the summer.

• Summer hydroseeding is popular, but it is often more expensive because it requires more maintenance and water than other seasons. This is because summers tend to be hotter and drier, so hydroseeding in the summer can be more challenging during these months. You will need to make sure recently hydroseeded areas have plenty of water and appropriate drainage to manage any runoff and avoid pooling. Finally, unless you have an abundant and cheap source of water its best not to plant in the summer. There is not much point in fighting off high temperatures if it is possible to avoid it.​

• Fall hydroseeding takes advantage of the warm days/cool nights and gives the seed time to establish before winter sets in. However, frost can be hard on seed, slowing down and sometimes even killing seeds, so make sure you are planning to hydroseed at least 45 days or so before the first expected frost. If done in the late fall the seed will be dormant throughout the winter and then when the rains and warmer temperatures of spring to give it a good start before a hot summer.

 

​WHAT GROUND PREPARATION IS REQUIRED?    Preparing the ground for hydroseeding is an important step in ensuring germination. This phase is sometimes rushed or disregarded. Not preparing the ground (Seedbed) correctly is one of the most common and major mistakes made regardless of the seeding method chosen. You can have the finest seed and best fertilizer, but poor ground preparation can lead to inadequate results. The extent of the ground (Seedbed) preparation depends upon your soil test results and the type of hydroseeding application you are considering.

 

​WHAT IS OVERSEEDING APPLICATION?    Is seeding over existing grass, ground cover or vegetation. Until recently overseeding with hydroseeding was not recommended due to the potential of the slurry suffocating the existing grass, ground cover or vegetation. But with the implementation of engineered soil media's (Biotic Earth) mulches, overseeding is now possible.

 

WHAT IS A NEW  SEEDING APPLICATION?     Is seeding over 2-4 inches of bare loose quality topsoil that is free of all debris, large rocks, leaves and sticks. The seed to be in direct contact with the loosened soil, so the embryo's small roots take hold and grow deep.

 

WILL IT WASH AWAY?     If the soil has been properly prepared and the right hydroseeding mulch was applied for the applicable terrain it should not wash away after the mulch has cured under normal weather conditions.

 

​IS IT FOR SAFE?      Hydroseeding is a safe and non-toxic. No harsh chemicals are used in the hydroseeding process; therefore, making it safe to use around children and animals.

 

CAN I WALK ON IT?           A newly seeded area can be walked on within 24-36 hours after the application once the mulch has fully cured (Dried) to perform planned maintenance. As much possible, keep children, pets and wildlife off the area and prevent any unwanted foot traffic until the germination of the grass, groundcover and/or vegetation is complete and the germinated and grass, groundcover and/or vegetation has started to establish.

 

HOW LONG BEFORE USE?           It is good to keep children, pets and wildlife off a newly seeded area until the germination stage is complete and the grass, groundcover and/or vegetation has started to establish. This should be about 3 to 5 weeks depending upon the variety of seed. Unnecessary foot traffic should be kept to a minimum.

​

​WHEN WILL I SEE GRASS?          Depending upon the seed type and climate, weather is mild and watering and/or rainfall amounts are sufficient, on average most lawn grasses take between 7 and 14 days for germination and should be ready for the first mowing in 4 to 6 weeks. On the other hand, if the weather is dry and cool, germination will take longer than the average. This is only a guideline and soil moisture, and environmental conditions will dictate the actual length of  plant establishment.

 

DOES IT HAVE TO BE WATERED?       Allow 24 hours after the application for the slurry to cure (dry) before watering. For most lawn grasses plan to water newly hydroseeded areas 2-3 times a day for roughly 10-20 minutes each time for 7-14 days. You do not want puddling and/or runoff, just enough to thoroughly moisten the seed bed. Insufficient or overwatering may have adverse affects on seed germination and establishment. Newly hydroseeded areas should not go without water for no more than a day or two.

 

​WHAT MAINTENANCE IS REQUIRED?  A post-seeding maintenance program is essential, and you must stick to it. If not, everything done was a waste of time and money. The program (12 Month) should consist of proper watering, mowing, fertilizer and weed control.​

• The most important requirement is proper watering.

  • When the new seed has grown to an average of 3” it is time to perform the first cutting.

  • Set the mower between 3” to 3 1/2”. Do not cut more than ¾” off at any one time.

  • Allow the clippings to drop down, so they can decompose to provided food and help to keep the soil from drying out.

  • Prior to mowing for the first time, allow the area to dry out just so the mower will not leave ruts. Mowing stimulates growth and increases thickness.

• Do not apply any type of weed control product for at least 8 (Eight) to 12 (Twelve) weeks after seeding. The product will have adverse affects on the new seedlings. Weeds are in the soil and germinate faster than most grasses; however, over time with proper maintenance most weeds will be eventually choked out and be controllable as competition from the maturing plants increases.

• About one month after hydroseeding, fertilize your new lawn using a 8-32-16, fertilizer. Once established, follow a fertilizer maintenance program of 4-6 times per year, should be sufficient.​

 

​WHAT IS THE BEST SEED?           The purpose for hydroseeding, of course, is to grow grass, groundcover and/or vegetation, so select a seed or seed blend that both grows well in your area and has the texture and color you want. Be sure to do your research on what grass appeals to you and what grows well in your area before you plant.​

• We recommend seed blends because the annual seeds germinate quickly to provide erosion control and protect the slower germinating perennial seeds.

 

WHICH MULCH IS BEST? The “GREEN STUFF” you see is hydroseeding mulch is generally comprised of paper, wood, paper/wood blend, paper/wood/synthetic fiber blend matrix (BFM), and/or flexible growth medium (FGM).

• Paper – Typically made from recycled newspaper and is less expensive than the other mulches. It is vulnerable to erosion.

• Wood – Better moisture retention and less vulnerable to erosion than paper when mixed with tackifier.

• Paper/wood Blend – Better moisture retention and less vulnerable to erosion than paper when mixed with tackifier.

• BFM/FGM – High performance products that are essentially spray on erosion control blankets that form a tight matrix. They are thicker than paper, wood, paper/wood blends. These are used for erosion control on hillsides and slopes.

• Engineered Soil Medium Mulches – Are specifically designed to aid in building an effective plant growth medium over poor topsoil and/or subsoils but are vulnerable to erosion without additional erosion control measures.

 

​IS IT GUARANTEED OR WARRANTIED?   In most situations there is "NO" guarantee or warranty for hydroseeding because it is a planting process. Soil type, quality, and condition have the greatest influence on the germination, establishment, and sustainability.

• However, if prior to the application an "INDPENDANT THIRD-PARTY SOIL TEST" was completed and the soil was adjusted to reflect the soil’s condition. There is a one-time, free of charge, repair and/or replacement warranty against application defects for the remainder of the calendar year from the time of completion with proof of post application maintenance (watering, weeding, fertilizing, proper mowing, etc.)