June 02, 2023 4 min read

When everything is becoming modern then why not plant seeds, well Hydroseeding is the name for it. In the 1950s its first manufacturing unit was established in Connecticut. They were specially designed for seeding the places which were difficult to seed with the traditional method, steep landscapes and rough terrains.

Hydroseeding has grown in popularity in the construction, landscaping and soil erosion control industries for its speed and efficiency. However, only a few people know much about the hydroseeding process and its advantages.

What is Hydroseeding?

Hydroseeding is a process used to establish vegetation, particularly grass, on large areas of land. It involves a mixture of water, seeds, mulch, fertilizer, green-tinted dye, and tackifiers, which is sprayed onto the soil surface using a specialized hydroseeding machine. The mixture is often referred to as a "slurry." Spraying the slurry mixture allows for more flexibility in terms of applying it precisely and not having to worry about landscape features.

First, you need to prepare the area. Remove rocks, debris and existing vegetation from the soil. Sometimes the soil may also be tilled to create a suitable environment for seed germination. Then your selected seed is combined with the slurry mixture which is applied to the area for your desired outcome. These ingredients are mixed in a truck or trailer-mounted tank containing either a jet or a mechanical agitation system and sprayed the slurry mixture over the prepared ground in a uniform layer.

Advantages of Hydroseeding

1. Time-saving

Spraying seeds with the help of hydroseeding is a much more speedy and convenient process than the conventional method of spreading seeds or sod installation. With the help of a jet agitation system, the slurry mixture is sprayed in the area within half an hour.

2. Cost-effective

If you are looking to establish a new lawn or start from scratch, it can be a cost-effective option. Hydroseeding typically costs 60-80% less than the price of sod installation. Besides the price of sod itself being notoriously expensive, installation typically requires substantial labour costs. The hydroseeding process requires just a handful of workers or even just one, depending on the equipment used. Also, saving you money compared to traditional seeding methods, especially for large-scale projects.

3. Reducing weeds

One of the major problems that make your lawn look worse is growing weeds. Weeds also compete and dominate the native grass. The mixture of hydroseed is free from weed seeds and it can limit weed growth, particularly when it’s done in spring or summer. 

4. Erosion control

Landscaping professionals have chosen hydroseeding to deal with erosion-prone areas with notable success and has been used by them for years for its quick application and effective soil erosion control. 

The slurries present in the mixture dry and protect the seed from erosion and help them grow even in an uneven landscape.

The thick heavy texture of the hydroseed works when other methods fail because of its stabilizing quality. It will stay in place through most heavy rains even on steep slopes and in windy weather whereas other techniques leave the seeds susceptible to washout, runoff, and uneven distribution.

5. Conserve water

With hydroseeding’s 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.

Mulch and tackifiers of the hydroseeding process can also retain water and gradually provide those nutrients to the root system for their growth.

After the development of the root system, the root grows, and the base holds the earth and keeps it in a place firmly standing. Then the water is slowly released, along with nutrients to the root system to constantly replenish itself until the next rainfall making a very drought-tolerant lawn.

6. Uniform coverage

Hydroseeding provides a thicker, more uniform lawn that forms a barrier to keep seed stabilized and retain moisture. And fertilizers, mulch and other healthy growth-enhancing nutrients in the mixture are evenly distributed over the soil surface which results in a full, lush lawn. Also, its ability to cover large, difficult and inaccessible areas, such as slopes, that are too steep for sod applications. Coupled with increased plant survival and faster germination, hydroseeding is ideal for covering projects extending from golf courses to roadside erosion control.

7. Versatility

Hydroseeding can be used for a wide range of applications, including vegetation restoration, wildfire repair, roadsides, national parks, golf courses, erosion control, hillside stabilization, soil renovation, landfills, sports fields, airport dust control, and many other versatile uses. The seed mixture can be customized to suit specific project requirements.

8. Fast germination

Because of the nutrient boost from the slurry the growth of the seed is much faster than normal growth. The seeds are protected and nourished by the mulch, leading to the quicker establishment of vegetation. The seed starts to grow within 7 days under normal conditions, and it will be ready to mow within 3-4 weeks of spraying.

9. Enhance quality

Hydroseed slurry contains a thick agent, called a tackifier that follows seeds to the soil, encouraging quick growth. Also, the fertilizers in the slurry add phosphorus to give a healthy boost to the seed and the soil as long-lasting grass. With sod, you can see joints, and with traditional hand seeding, you’ll inevitably have bare patches or uneven growth. A successfully hydroseeded area usually appears to be flawless because its process evenly distributes the seed, growing medium, water and fertilizer.

Hydroseeded lawns also resist disease and sprout fewer weeds. The inherent strength of hydroseeded grass can naturally resist or dominate unwanted biological or horticultural pests.

10. Non-toxic solution

Hydroseeding can improve soil health by introducing organic matter from the mulch and promoting microbial activity. As the vegetation grows, it can help stabilize the soil structure and increase nutrient cycling. 

In addition to not harming the environment, Hydroseeding is a completely safe and non-toxic method of growing grass that is harmless to kids, pets and the environment.  

In this article, it’s easy to see why — hydroseeding is fast and cost-effective and delivers reliable, consistent results. 

Overall, hydroseeding offers numerous advantages not only for landscape fields but also for a variety of industries and business projects.