What is Hydroseeding?
Your home is your pride and joy, and it says a lot about you. There is nothing quite like a lush, green lawn to make your home look finished and beautiful. If you want to grow a full, healthy lawn without the cost of sod or the hassle of seed, hydroseeding is the perfect solution.
Hydroseeding is a fraction of the price of laying sod. The seed mixture itself is less expensive and the process of spreading the seed is far less labor-intensive than laying sod. It has a much higher rate of taking to the soil since it is grown directly in your soil. The sodding process involves cutting the roots of the sod, making it a less healthy plant. It is also possible that the soil that the sod has been grown in may not be compatible with your soil. If not installed properly, the sod can shrink before it gets fully rooted and can cause gaps between sections.
Hydroseeding is far more effective than casting seed. Dry seeding can result in a patchy lawn because the seed can blow away, dry out, or be snatched up by birds. Protecting the seed and/or reseeding can become a laborious process.
Hydroseeding uses a mixture of grass seed, water, fertilizer, fiber, soil treatment agents, and tackifiers. It is sprayed over carefully prepared soil. The seed coming in contact with water starts the germination process. The fertilizer supplies the seed the nutrients it needs to continue growing after the initial germination. The soil treatment agents ensure that the soil is the perfect environment for the seed to have the highest germination rate possible.
The fiber holds it all together and provides a top crust that dries protecting the seed and keeping in the moisture it needs. Tackifiers increase the tack, or stickiness, of the mix helping it to adhere to the soil. If planting a relatively large area, a slope, or any other difficult terrain, hydroseeding can be an especially good choice due to its cost-effectiveness and adhesion. Results are often quick. It is not uncommon to see blades of grass showing in a week.