What Is Hydroseeding?
What Is Hydroseeding?
Hydroseeding is an efficient and cost-effective method for planting grass, combining grass seed, mulch, fertilizer, and a tackifier into a slurry that is sprayed evenly over prepared soil. This technique offers superior coverage, promotes rapid germination, and helps prevent erosion, making it ideal for residential, commercial, and large-scale land reclamation projects.
How Does Hydroseeding Work?
The hydroseeding process begins by blending the following ingredients into a water-based mixture:
Grass Seed: Foothills Hydroseed uses only weed-free seeds with the highest germination rates available. We offer custom blends, including native grasses and turf varieties, to suit your needs.
Mulch: We use 100% reclaimed and thermally refined wood fiber mulch, which retains moisture, protects against erosion, and promotes seed growth. The mulch contains a natural green dye for even visual coverage, which fades as the grass germinates.
Fertilizer: Specialized fertilizers are added to build a sustainable environment for germination. Based on soil conditions, we can incorporate biostimulants, macro/micro nutrients, or soil amendments as needed for the best results.
Tackifier: This natural botanical glue (derived from the plantago plant) helps the seed mixture adhere to the soil, reducing runoff, controlling dust, and improving seed establishment.
Benefits of Hydroseeding
Hydroseeding offers several advantages over traditional seeding methods:
Faster Growth: The nutrient-rich slurry creates an ideal environment for rapid seed germination.
Cost-Effective: Compared to sod installation, hydroseeding is more affordable and more efficiently covers large areas.
Erosion Control: The mulch and tackifier protect the soil from wind and water erosion until the grass takes root.
Custom Seed Blends: Whether you need native grasses, drought-resistant varieties, or turf mixes, we can tailor our seed blend to your project.
Comparisons: Hydroseeding, Sod & Traditional Seeding
| Factors | Hydroseeding | Sod | Traditional Seeding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Low | High | Low |
| Coverage Sizes | Excellent for All Area Sizes | Small Areas | Small & Moderate areas |
| Erosion Control | High | Moderate | Low |
| Germination Time | Variable | Gives Instant Coverage | 2-3 Weeks |
Best Uses for Hydroseeding
Hydroseeding is ideal for:
Residential Lawns: Achieve a lush, green lawn quickly and affordably.
Commercial Landscapes: Large-scale grass coverage with effective erosion control.
Slopes and Hillsides: The tackifier reduces runoff, making hydroseeding perfect for erosion-prone areas.
Land Reclamation: Hydroseeding is widely used for revegetation projects and soil stabilization.
Hydro Seed and Hydro Turfing: What’s the Difference?
While hydro turfing and hydroseeding are similar and sometimes used interchangeably, they may refer to slightly different applications:
- “Hydroseeding” is the general process of spraying a seed-mulch slurry onto soil to promote grass growth. It’s widely used for lawns, erosion control, and land reclamation.
- “Hydro turfing” specifically refers to hydroseeding with a turfgrass seed blend, often used for sports fields, golf courses, and commercial properties where a durable, high-performance turf is required.