Hydroseeding has revolutionized the landscaping industry due to its very simple process which makes laying turf or grass seed by hand seem arduous and outdated.
No more do we have to endure the tediousness of these other methods; if you’re wondering how you can spawn luscious grass over a large area of land, hydroseeding is both time-saving, and cost-cutting and has the added benefit of being a sustainable practice.Here’s why hydroseeding is the answer to many landscaping questions.
So… What is Hydroseeding?
Hydroseeding is the process of using a high-pressure spray to evenly distribute a slurry of grass seed, mulch, fertilizer, and water over an area of bare land. Not to be confused with hydro mulching, which uses fibers instead of seeds to produce the same effect in erosion control.
Hydroseeding takes six simple steps, made even simpler by using high-tech equipment and experts.
- Test the Soil - optimum pH is 6.5-7
- Remove Weeds and Rocks - bare soil allows for more even grass growth
- Grade the soil - to prevent the slurry from escaping, especially on slopes
- Apply the Topsoil - a 2-inch layer should be evenly distributed
- Prepare Hydroseeder Tool - an ‘agitator’ should be working properly to evenly mix the slurry
- Start Hydroseeding!
Although originally used to grow grass over difficult-to-reach areas such as slopes and roadsides, hydroseeding is now a popular alternative to dry seeding or laying turf or sod, seeing use from major commercial projects to private lawns.
Why exactly is that? You’re about to find out!
Benefits of Hydroseeding
High-Quality Results
The deciding factor when choosing between any kind of option is ultimately what results in it yields. With hydroseeding, you can always expect a beautifully even, luscious green lawn due to the nature of the high-pressure grass seed distribution and constituent parts of the slurry.
Grass seed is not the only focus of hydroseeding. Wildflowers can also be spread, heightening the aesthetics whilst still achieving the same practical results.
What’s more, not only is hydroseeding effective at beautification, but you can be safe in the knowledge that it also actively benefits the environment.
Positive Environmental Impact
Put simply, hydroseeding is a sustainable way to encourage greenery in previously unkempt or damaged areas of land. From landfills to construction sites, to areas devastated by wildfires; the slurry administered on these barren lands revitalizes the soil, restoring all-important flora and fauna, as well as revegetating these unattractive areas into rich, natural areas of beauty.
Coastal areas, riverbanks and motorway embankments can all benefit from hydroseeding to boot, due to its ability to prevent erosion and sediment migration. The even distribution of the seed enables the roots to grow entangled, thus providing a solid structure to the slope and preventing the earth from falling away when impacted by wind and rain.
Construction guidance for mines and airports recommends the use of hydroseeding due to its ability to reduce dust and particle pollution. It is also a more ecological option than laying sod, in this regard, as the process of laying sod creates dust pollution per se.
In addition, the components of the slurry are usually organic and always non-toxic to people, animals, and the environment.
Water scarcity is a frightening issue in the modern world as our climate is changing dramatically. Hydroseeding even helps with this issue as hydro grass seed can hold up to ten times its weight in water, which helps provide their roots with essential nutrients in the slurry as well as accelerate growth.
The spread of an even mix of grass seed mixed with fertilizers and mulch, also effectively halts the growth of weeds. While weeds may seem like a completely natural part of our environment, they actually contribute to soil erosion and limit biodiversity due to their stubbornness.
However, this is not the only benefit of reducing weed growth.
If you value sustainability as much as we do, why not check out our page on our sustainable working practices.
Hydroseeding guarantees results and saves time, money, and even the environment… What's the catch?
Low Maintenance
Since it is more difficult for weeds to grow through the process of hydroseeding, less time needs to be spent weeding the grassy area from the outset.
Moreover, since hydroseeding is recommended at the end of summer as the temperatures cool, rainfall naturally increases, thus reducing the need for manual watering over those crucial first 4 - 6 weeks. This in turn cuts costs and energy.
Time-Efficient-Thus-Cost-Effective
Like many aspects of modern-day life, time and money are crucial intertwined factors in any important decision or activity - and landscaping is no different.
By spraying the slurry with a high-pressure jet, hydroseeding saves a great deal of time when compared to its alternatives: dry seeding and laying turf. This makes a particular difference over large areas of land as they can be covered very quickly. Reducing the workload, consequently reduces the costs of implementing and maintaining such areas.
Hydroseeding is also the fastest method of grass-growing, with results being visible within 1-2 weeks and being sufficient for use after 7-8 weeks. This is where hydroseeding results significantly outweigh those of dry seeding and turf-laying, as there is no guarantee that dry seeds will stick and grow evenly (due to the absence of the tackifier) or that turf will take due to transplantation shock, which makes the roots vulnerable to disease.
So, hydroseeding guarantees results and saves time, money, and even the environment… What's the catch?
Careful Consideration
Clearly not every good thing is right for everyone, so it’s important to carefully consider your options before jumping into hydroseeding.
Each tank of hydroseed covers approximately a 325m2 (3,500 square foot) area, so if your project is significantly smaller than this, perhaps this is not the most cost-effective option for you.
The best time for hydroseeding is generally the end of summer and the beginning of autumn due to the dropping temperatures and increased rainfall, so if your project requires action in the height of summer or depths of winter, perhaps hydroseeding will not produce the optimum results.
If you are looking to ameliorate an existing lawn area, while hydroseeding can work, it is not usually recommended due to the uneven coverage of seed that can result, which would not achieve the desired aesthetic.
The multitude of factors that affect hydroseeding pricing also makes it difficult to estimate a quote before an initial consultation and site visit. While you can cut costs by performing some ground preparation tasks yourself, hydroseeding does still require a great deal of expertise, so it’s crucial you choose the best qualified and licensed contractors for the job.
About Karaoglu Landscape
Karaoglu Landscapes has gained the means, knowledge, and expertise to enact large-scale hydroseeding projects and developments over our years of operation. We understand the budget and time constraints of our clients and work efficiently to provide the best quality results across the board.
Check out our gallery to find out more about previous projects we have completed.