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So what exactly is this green goop these guys are spraying?
By definition via Wikipedia
Hydro seeding (or hydraulic mulch seeding, hydro-mulching, hydra seeding) is a planting process which utilizes a slurry of seed and mulch. The slurry is transported in a tank, either truck or trailer mounted and sprayed over prepared ground in a uniform layer; helicopters may be used in cases where larger areas must be covered. Aircraft application may also be used on burned wilderness areas after a fire, and in such uses may contain only soil stabilizer to avoid introducing non-native plant species. Hydro seeding is an alternative to the traditional process of broadcasting or sowing dry seed. It promotes quick germination and inhibits soil erosion.
The mulch in the hydro seed mixture helps maintain the moisture level of the seed and seedlings. The slurry often has other ingredients including fertilizer, tackifying agents, green dye and other additives.
Advantages of hydro seeding
Hydro seeding is used to seed grass on commercial sites (highways/motorways etc.), golf courses, lawns and areas too large, inaccessible or unsuitable for conventional methods. Starting a lawn by hydro seeding is considerably cheaper than laying sod/turf and quicker than using seed. It is also used to spread mixtures of wildflower and tree/shrub seeds or turf grasses for erosion control. The process is called sprigging (or hydro-sprigging) when the slurry contains stolons or rhizomes instead of seed.
By definition via Orsek Environmental Contractors
Forget any rumors you may have heard about hydromulch. It is the fastest,cheapest way to establish a lawn or turf cover.
Poor quality mulch washes out and produces poor results. That's why we use the highest quality mulch available.
Hydro mulch can and will stop erosion on steep slopes and produce the thickest turf when the right combination of mulch/tack/seed and application rates are used.
We have a 100% customer satisfaction rate behind us for 2008,2007,2006,2005,2004, with no instances of us having to respray a site due to poor workmanship or poor materials.
Proof is in the pudding. Check out our job pics and see for yourself.
Hydro Mulch is not some kind of radio-active alien green goop we import from Mars and apply to your lawn that magically transforms into a full lawn.
...Hydro-Mulch we apply is a safe homogenous slurry we make on site that consists of,
- Cotton and Straw mulch (with green food coloring)
- Organic fertilizer
- Seed mix
- Tackifyer (soil glue) ((modified corn starch))
- Water
Although we would not recommend eating this mixture it is perfectly safe for applying in your yard. This mix is safe for wildlife too.
When applied the mulch is injected into the soil and provides the perfect micro-climate type environment to the seed encouraging growth. Not only dose the mulch retain moisture for the new seeds, it also retards erosion and protects the seeds from birds and the scorching sun. If you have severe sloping conditions we apply heaver to retard the erosion more. We also apply another cotton mulch product that almost 100% stops erosion completely.
Then comes the water.
If we installed an irrigation system this is the easy part. 5-10 mins. Three to four times a day. EVERYDAY. The mulch must stay moist so it will require 3-4 light waterings per day. This is un-feasible for most people without a system so at least once per day please. YOU are going to be responsible for the success of your new lawn. NOTE: light waterings to the surface not deep drenching.
This above should be done for the first 1-2 weeks. Use common sense. If you see water standing cut back. If it rains don't water. Shady areas use less water than full sun.
Week 2 and 3 you can cut back to once per day. If you water more than once will only result in faster thicker grass.
By week 4 you should be ready for your first mowing. Their will probably be some weeds but don't worry. Cut the water back for a day or two and mow the lawn. Mow your new lawn when it reaches a height of 3 inches. Make sure your mower blade is sharp! Cut your new grass to a height of 2 inches. It is always best not to cut more than one-third of the leaf at each mowing. This reduces plant stress and promotes healthy leaves. If weeds appear in your established lawn is a result of weed seed in your soil, weekly mowing for a month to a height of 1.5 inches should kill many of them. For stubborn weeds, use a hand tool or a selective herbicide and spot spray. Always follow instructions for rates of application and product safety requirements.Then depending on the site at this point you should be switching to watering every other day for a little longer. Also at this point you should fertilize. Use a turf builder type this first time.
You will see weeds in the lawn. Remember you were trying to encourage growth for the last 30-45 days so don't be mad at the weeds. Keep the mower on it weekly to keep the weeds down. YOU DO NOT USE WEED AND FEED ON THE NEW LAWN UNTIL THE GRASS YOU PLANTED IS MATURE!!!!! (mature in 3-6mos.)
Hydro mulch is site specific and time of year specific. There is no instructions I can put on this page that is going to work for every job so remember aside from not using herbicides too soon these instructions are guidelines.
Some sites we spray get absolutely no after care and come out super while other sites are babied along for 60 days. Native mixes typically require little care.
At the time of your estimate we will give you specific instructions for your site.
So what kind of grass?
No St. Augustine... sorry This weed has to be sodded
Typically homes and businesses get Bermuda grass because of the durability and ease of maintenance.
When it cools down we mix Bermuda and Rye. The Rye germinates in the winter and the Bermuda lays dormant until spring.
Native grasses are becoming very popular too.
Wildflowers
Wildlife mixes
The seed mix is limited only by your imagination (and seeded species). At the bottom of the page is a partial list of what we have readily availble.
What's the advandange to the hydro mulch?
1/3 to 1/2 the cost of sod
healthier grasses
lower overall costs
custom mixes unavailable otherwise
did I mention how much cheaper?
typically when you choose to hydro mulch it frees up more cash in your budget to do more landscape (irrigation,trees,beds.ect)
Look at the chart:
Guys... We lay sod too. ALOT of sod. But we also spray a lot of green goo too. <- say that 3 times fast. Can you see why??
Its all about the site and what is required or requested by the owner.
Food for thought check this out too:
Landscape Water Demand Chart
St. Augustine 50 inches per year
Buffalo Grass 25 inches per year
Bermuda 40 inches per year
Zoysia 45 inches per year
624 gallons (83.3 cubic feet) of water are required to apply 1 inch of water on 1,000 square feet of ground.
7.48 gallons = one cubic foot of water
| Lawn type |
Green Turf1 |
Dormant Turf2 |
| Perennial ryegrass |
1.5 inches of water per week |
1.0 inches of water per week |
| Kentucky bluegrass |
1.2 inches of water per week |
0.7 inches of water per week |
| Tall fescue |
0.8 inches of water per week |
0.5 inches of water per week |
| Zoysia or bermuda |
0.5 inches of water per week |
0.2 inches of water per week |
| Buffalograss |
0.3 inches of water per week |
0.2 inches of water per week |
1Lawn remains green and growing
2Lawn may turn brown, but will not die
Click here to see some choices for mixes »
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