31 AugHydroseeding 101
Hydroseeding Basics for Contractors and Landscapers
Hydroseeding is a method of hydraulically applying grass seed and hydromulch.
You can hydroseed lawns, slopes, residential developments, highway medians and almost anywhere else that needs vegetation and erosion control. The method and products vary per project but the outcome is the same; fast and widespread ground cover.
In this article, we’re going to cover some hydraulic seeding basics including:
- Hydroseeding vs. hydromulching
- Why hydroseed?
- What is a slurry?
- Types of hydromulch
- Application rates
We’ll tie everything together with a hydroseeding case study at the end.
Hydroseeding vs. Hydromulching
Even if you’re new to the erosion control and landscape industry, you have likely heard the terms “hydroseeding” and “hydromulching.” Other versions include hydraseeding, hydraulic mulching, hydraulic mulch seeding.
Although these words are used interchangeably in our industry there is a technical difference between them.
Hydroseeding applies a slurry for hydromulch, grass seed, fertilizer and soil additives. This hydraulic seeding method intends to establish vegetation for ground cover and erosion control.
Hydromulching generally includes just mulch and tackifier. This method establishes a temporary protective cover over bare ground in order to lock in soil for erosion control.
Although there are slight differences in these two terms, most industry professionals use these terms interchangeably.
For consistency sake, our team usually sticks to the term hydroseeding.
Project plans, owners and site requirements will make the distinction clear by specifying what should be applied.
Why should you hydroseed?
There are many different reasons you might need to hydroseed. In almost all situations, however, the goal is fast and thorough ground coverage.
Landscapers for example, hydroseed subdivisions for a uniform application.
Contractors on the other hand, hydroseed to establish vegetation and control erosion on construction sites. Some contractors also prefer to hydromulch in lieu of rolled erosion control blankets.
Hydroseeders also allow you to access hard to reach places because these machines have hoses that extend and spray beyond the truck.
Lastly, hydroseeding combines three actions in one: seeding, fertilizing and erosion control ground cover. This triple threat not only saves time but effectively establishes vegetation and controls erosion.
What is a slurry?
When you hydroseed you hydraulically apply a slurry; a mixture of water, hydromulch, grass seed, fertilizer and soil amendments.
The slurry includes everything you need for proper vegetative establishment:
- Grass seed
- Nutrition through fertilizer, lime and amendments
- Ground cover with hydromulch
- Water
The slurry’s products and quantities will depend on the application rate. Mulch manufacturers specify application rates for hydromulch. It’s important to follow these rates in order to achieve effective erosion control and vegetation and avoid over (or under) spraying.
Types of Hydromulch
There are hundreds of hydraulic mulches on the market today. There are single product bales, blends and high performance hydraulic mulches.
100% Cellulose Hydraulic Mulch
This hydromulch is made of fully biodegradable 100% recycled cellulose fibers. 100% Cellulose Hydromulch is also known as paper mulch. It is recommended for erosion control on slopes less than 4:1.
100% Cellulose Hydraulic Mulch is inexpensive compared to hydromulch blends and high performance mulches. For that reason, it is a popular choice for ground cover when slopes are not too steep and erosion is not severe.
100% Wood Mulch
This hydraulic mulch is made entirely of wood fibers that are derived from wood chips. 100% Wood Hydromulch should be applied on slopes that are less than or equal to 2:1.
Apply 100% Wood Mulch when you need greater erosion control. It has greater moisture retention than 100% Cellulose which means it aids vegetative establishment.
70/30 Hydromulch
70/30 Hydromulch is a blend of wood and cellulose fibers. These bales are made up of 70% wood fibers and 30% cellulose fibers. For that reason, 70/30 Hydromulch should be applied on moderate slopes that are less than or equal to 3:1 in grade.
High Performance Hydromulch
High Performance Hydraulic Mulches are engineered for improved moisture and soil retention. These mulches are often made from wood fibers but some hydraulic mulches are made of straw.
These mulches are specified for steep slopes, severe erosion and long term soil loss mitigation.
High Performance Hydraulic Mulches can be more difficult to apply than the traditional products like paper mulch. It’s important to abide by the specified application rate when spraying specialty mulches.
Application Rates
The application rate refers to how many pounds of hydromulch is applied per one acre. This rate varies by product so it is important to follow the manufacturer’s recommended application rate.
Site conditions, project goals and the type of hydroseeder you use also affect product selection and application rate. Hydroseeding bare soil for turf establishment, for example, will require a different rate than hydroseeding steep slopes for erosion control.
For best results, always adjust your products and rates to the needs of your specific site.
Hydroseeding Case Study
The contractor on a construction site in Chesapeake, Virginia was struggling to achieve turf establishment on a two-acre stock pile.
After several failed seeding attempts, we requested a soil test. The test determined that the soil had a low concentration of organic matter.
Organic matter provides the soil with nutrients, helps with moisture retention and contributes to key chemical processes.
We suggested applying ProGanics Biotic Soil Media to replenish the depleted soil. ProGanics is an affordable alternative to top soil. It has demonstrated success with improving sustained vegetation which is exactly what this site needed.
ProGanics’s application rate was determined by the soil’s content of organic matter, which fell between 0.75% and 1.5%.
4,500 pounds of ProGanics was applied per acre which totaled 9,000 pounds for the project.
A High Performance Hydraulic Mulch followed the ProGanics. We chose a mulch that has a lot of tackifier in the matrix which helped bond the slurry, soil and ProGanics.
4,000 pounds of hydromulch was applied per acre which totaled 8,000 pounds for the project.
The slurry also included Grass Seed, Lime and Fertilizer at the following application rates:
- Grass Seed: 150 lbs/acre for a total of 300 lbs
- Fertilizer: 200 lbs/acre for a total of 400 lbs
- NeutraLime: 80 lbs/acre for a total of 160 lbs
As you can see, with proper planning and application, grass began to grow and the stockpile has been properly vegetated.
Get answers to your hydraulic erosion control questions
Hydroseeding is an effective seeding and erosion control strategy for sites of all sizes. It is important to understand how different mulches, slurries and application rates will result in different outcomes. For more in depth product information or site-specific questions, contact our sales team. We can recommend products to solve your site’s problems as well as connect you to equipment suppliers and hydroseeding sub-contractors in the Mid-Atlantic region.