Understanding Hydroseeding

Horticulture is both the art and science of cultivating plantsHydroseeding   is a grass seed planting process. It is fast, efficient, and is more effective than conventional seeding, and certainly more economical than sodding. 

The best times to hydroseed are from mid-April until mid-June, and from early August until late September. A four month opportunity out of twelve. Once again, timing is very important with horticultural care.

The process begins by mixing a wood/paper fiber mulch, seed, fertilizer, weed control, and water in the tank of a hydro-seeding machine. The mixed material is then pumped from the tank and sprayed onto the ground. The material is often referred to as a slurry, much like a soupy batch of green papier-mâché. Once applied to the soil, the material enhances initial growth by providing a micro-environment beneficial to seed germination. If the area being planted is smooth and manicured, the resulting grass surface will be smooth and manicured. Golf greens are frequently planted with hydro-seeding resulting in a smooth surface. The fiber mulch material is weed free. However, weed seed is almost always present in the soil, and when the soil gets the moisture and fertilizer from the planting process, weeds can appear. A pre-emergent weed control , added to the mix, can help keep the weeds from germinating.