How to Prepare Your Property Before Hydroseeding

Man ptepping lawn for hydroseeding

Spring has arrived in Ontario, and for many property owners that means it is finally time to tackle bare areas, damaged lawns or landscaping projects that have been waiting since last year.

If hydroseeding is part of your plan, there is one important step that should happen before the seed ever reaches the ground: proper soil preparation.

Hydroseeding can provide an efficient way to establish new grass, but even the best seed, mulch and fertilizer cannot make up for poorly prepared soil. Giving your new lawn the right foundation can make a significant difference in germination and long-term establishment.

Start With a Clean Surface

Before hydroseeding, the area should be cleared of anything that could interfere with seed-to-soil contact.

This may include:

• existing grass and weeds

• leaves and branches

• construction debris

• large stones and rocks

• roots and unwanted vegetation

For a new hydroseeding application, the goal is to create a clean, bare surface where the seed can make direct contact with the soil.

Seed sitting on top of old vegetation, compacted ground or debris may have difficulty establishing healthy roots.

Make Sure the Soil Is Loose

Grass seedlings begin with very small, delicate roots. They need loose soil that allows those roots to penetrate below the surface.

For new hydroseeding applications, approximately 2 to 4 inches of loose, quality soil is generally recommended.

If the existing soil is heavily compacted, rocky or poor quality, additional preparation may be required before hydroseeding.

Depending on the property, this could involve tilling, adding quality topsoil or making other soil improvements.

Check Your Grading and Drainage

A beautiful lawn starts with more than grass.

Water needs somewhere to go.

Before hydroseeding, take a look at how the property is graded. Areas that direct water toward buildings, collect standing water or experience significant runoff should be addressed before establishing the lawn.

Grading can help create a more functional landscape while also reducing problems caused by erosion or pooling water.

This is especially important on properties that have recently undergone construction, excavation or major landscaping work.

Create a Smooth Seedbed

Front lawn area prepped for hydroseeding

Once the soil has been loosened and grading is complete, the surface should be reasonably smooth and even.

Large bumps, deep ruts and uneven areas will not disappear simply because grass grows over them.

Preparing the surface carefully now can help create a more attractive finished lawn and make future mowing and maintenance easier.

The objective is not to compact the soil into a hard surface. Instead, you want a fine-textured, loose seedbed that provides good contact between the seed and soil.

Don't Prepare the Ground Too Early

It can be tempting to finish your soil preparation weeks before your hydroseeding appointment, but this may not be the best approach.

Once prepared soil is exposed to rain, foot traffic, equipment and normal settling, it can begin to compact again.

Whenever possible, final ground preparation should be completed relatively close to the hydroseeding application. All Ontario Hydroseeding recommends preparing the ground no more than approximately five to seven days before hydroseeding.

Keep People and Equipment Off the Prepared Area

After the seedbed has been prepared, try to limit unnecessary traffic across the area.

People, pets, vehicles and landscaping equipment can create footprints, ruts and compacted sections that may need to be corrected before hydroseeding.

If other contractors are still working on the property, it may be worth scheduling hydroseeding after the majority of heavy work has been completed.

Proper Preparation Sets the Stage for Better Results

Hydroseeding is only one part of establishing a new lawn.

The condition of the soil underneath it matters just as much.

Taking the time to remove debris, loosen the soil, correct grading problems and create a suitable seedbed gives new grass a better opportunity to germinate, develop roots and establish successfully.

All Ontario Hydroseeding & Ice Control provides ground preparation and hydroseeding services for residential, commercial and restoration projects throughout Southern Ontario.

If you are planning a hydroseeding project this spring or summer, contact us to discuss your property and request a no-obligation estimate.