WHAT IS HYDROSEEDING & WHY TO CONSIDER OVER HAND SEEDING OR SOD APPLICATIONS?
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Hydroseeding is the process of combining seed, Hydromulch, fertilizer, and healthy soil amendments with water to mix in a HydroSeeder tank to form a thick slurry. This slurry is applied with pressure to the surface for seed germination and turf development.
COST EFFECTIVE
Hydroseeding is definitely the most economical choice for establishing the growing results desired without the expense, time consumption, material costs or installation demands of sodding or traditional hand seeding methods.
Hydroseeding typically costs 50-80% less than the price of sod, and coupled with labor charges, the overall expenses associated with sodding can be astronomical. With the savings in material costs and installation expenses, a lawn could be fully established for half the price of sod. Hydroseeding is also the cost effective solution over hand seeding as well. While the average hand-sewn lawn takes about half the day, the same area can be hydroseeded to completion in about an hour to an hour and a half.
QUALITY
The lawn quality that hydroseeding affords is much healthier, greener and longer lasting than sodding or hand seeding applications. The root establishment is grown deeper into the soil and avoids the shock of being transplanted into foreign soils, which is what occurs with sod methods. Hydroseeding typically yields superior results the first time it is installed and the seeds are more resistant to external problems because it has been adjusted to its present soil conditions. Hydroseeding soils hold moisture better than sod or hand seeded types, therefore the seeds can germinate quicker.
COVERAGE
Hydroseeding provides a thicker, more uniform lawn that essentially consists of a mat of interlocking fibers creating the ideal growing environment that doesn’t have the threat of seams showing as with sod or sparse, patchy areas with hand seeding. Hydroseeding creates an evenly covered area that forms a barrier to keep seed stabilized and retain moisture, fertilizer and other healthy growth-enhancing nutrients, while ultimately resulting in a full, lush lawn. Other beneficial coverage advantages of hydroseeding are its ability to cover large, difficult and inaccessible areas, such as slopes, that are too steep for sod applications.
EROSION CONTROL
Erosion control is the most prevalent reason for using hydroseeding in an effort to hold moisture and protect against erosion from wind, rain, sun and pests through the binding of seed, mulch, tackifiers and other soil conditioners that encompass the hydroseeding slurry to bind with the ground surface soil.
VERSATILITY & USE
Hydroseeding has become increasing popular, overshadowing both hand seeding and sod, for a wide array of jobsites and applications. Some of these uses include residential lawns, erosion control, hillside stabilization, vegetation restoration, wildfire repair, roadsides, national parks, soil renovation, landfills, city parks, airport dust control, and many other versatile uses. Hydroseeding is used primarily to establish permanent lawns or landscaping, however it is also known for serving as temporary cover for dirt that will eventually be moved. One of the main separations between hydroseeding and other methods of seeding is its ability to economically seed large, hard-to-reach areas where alternative seeding methods may not be easily accomplished.
HEALTH
Hydroseeding creates the ideal microenvironment for germinating seed because the slurry materials enhance the seeds germination process and stimulates the seeds to grow a healthy, deep-rooted system in the ground where moisture is at its greatest. Because the hydroseeding slurry is a combination of different elements to help maximize seed growth, each of those individual elements adds various benefits to the hydroseeding process. Mulch fiber helps prevent wind and water erosion, while simultaneously protecting the surface from sun damage and soil temperature fluctuation. Ultimately the mulch fiber decomposes and adds nourishment to the soil to enhance the germination process.
Working together with the mulch, fertilizers have high phosphorus content to enhance the root growth and soil amendments improve the pH levels of the soil. Traditional hand seeding methods will have considerably less grass growth than a hydroseeded yard because hydroseeding provides a moisture retaining mulch that allows the undisturbed seed to germinate and root faster.
SAFETY
Hydroseeding is a completely safe and non-toxic method of growing grass that is harmless to kids, pets and the environment.
LABOR
One of the major advantages of hydroseeding is simply manpower. In a typical hydroseeding application, one can fully depend on less than 3 men to accomplish what is would take 6 workers to fulfill given the same amount of work time using erosion blankets or sod. Not only is hydroseeding the ideal seeding application to attain a beautiful lawn at a fraction of the material cost and labor expenses as sod, but ultimately it requires very little intense labor to install. In addition to sod, hand seeding can be even more labor intensive and physically demanding, and usually results in lumpy, inconsistent results.
WATER RETENTION
With hydroseedings’ ability to retain up to 10 times its weight in water, it’s definitely proved to be the best method for fast, healthy germination, high plant survival and protection of seeds with a moisture sealant. No other method of growing grass, whether sod or hand seeding, has the advantages of hydroseeding when it comes to water retention. In the hydroseeding mix, fiber mulch and tackifiers are used to anchor the mixture to slopes and help seal in moisture. The water is then slowly released, along with nutrients, to the root system to constantly replenish itself until the next rainfall
The combination of cost, quality, coverage, erosion control and health definitely tip the scales in favor of the plentiful benefits of hydroseeding. A properly hydroseeded and watered lawn will start to grow in about 7 days,and under normal conditions, will be fully established and ready to mow in 3-4 weeks. For further information please contact one of our hydroseeding professionals at Finn All Seasons,where you can get all of your erosion control products to fit your needs. Finn All Seasons is your complete solution for all of your hydroseeding consumable needs as well as new, used and rental hydroseeders.
