Benefits of Hydro-Seeding

There are numerous factors on which the successful setup of a new lawn depends, such as type of seed, weed competition, timing, irrigation and size. It can be challenging to establish a lawn on hillsides, slopes and other hard to reach areas. They are not easy to approach, but you can also have troubles with soil erosion and washout. In cases like that, an all-in-one procedure like hydro-seeding can be a good replacement.

What is Hydro-Seeding?

This method is done with special equipment so you need to hire a professional landscaper to do that. The advantage of hydro-seeding compared to common lawn seeding is that it is done in one fell swoop.

The process includes using a slurry of seed, fertiliser, water, tackifiers, lime, polymer, and mulch for moisture retention, and biostimulants. Instead of spreading the grass seed over the area intended for planting, the slurry is sprayed all over the field.

For this purpose green tint is usually used, because it allows people to see where they have sprayed. Frequently the slurry is sprayed through a hose with a special nozzle and it generates a thick mat that retains the seed in place. The mat helps expedite seed fertilization by retaining soil moisture, and it won’t be blown away by the wind or rinsed by rain.

Why is Hydro-Seeding Beneficial?

Hydro-seeding can be faster than other procedures when we have a large area that needs to be planted with grass. 

Another benefit of this method is a very low price. It is way cheaper than planting with sod. There are growth boosters in the slurry, so they help grass seed grow faster. In just one week, the grass starts to grow, and after three or four weeks, you will need a lawnmower to maintain it.

The most important benefit is that it softens soil erosion. The mulch in the mix helps to retain the moisture, so while the sprouting grass will need to be watered regularly, it will not require as much watering as sod. This also means that there would be less grass seed loss because of washout. It can be a good solution for the problem of loose ground and possible landslides, by laying down the slurry mixture over a steep slope. 

Hydro-seeding slurry is useful for eliminating dust pollution, which is usually caused by kicking up dirt and spreading seed at the time of planting. This way the growth of weeds is also blocked. It can be used even for planting wildflowers.

The Hydro-Seeding Process 

Before spraying the hydro-seed slurry, technicians are making sure that the soil is ready to take the seed with the highest chance of swift and healthy fertilisation. Afterwards, at the pre-arranged time the technician returns with the hydro-seeding truck and then applies the slurry by hose and nozzle. 

It is not recommended to step on the field or lawn while the grass is starting to fertilise, so the service leaves signs and barriers around that field. If it is done near a building, slurry moisture can run towards it and cause some damage. To avoid this, it is essential to first grade the soil, so it drops by at least two inches every 100 feet.

Hydro-seeding is best to do in spring because the cool and wet weather helps maintain moisture level which is recommended for fertilisation.

There is no better time for planning than during these cold months, so when the spring comes, you will be fully set to maintain your lawn. 
If all this sounds complicated, you can always call a team of highly trained professionals who will make everything look easy and finish it promptly, but efficient above all.