25 JulEarthGuard Hydraulic Mulch
Why Should You Hydroseed with EarthGuard® Hydraulic Mulch?
Hydraulic mulch stabilizes soil to control erosion. When you need superior erosion control protection on steep slopes or slow to grow sites, a high-performance mulch can offer faster results and improved revegetation.
When our customers need a high performance hydromulch we recommend EarthGuard® FiberMatrix™. EarthGuard is effective for temporary and permanent soil stabilization, site winterization, revegetation on mining and coal ash sites and general construction closeout seeding.
Most hydraulic mulches can be used for those applications so what makes EarthGuard stand out from the competition?
EarthGuard Fiber Matrix Flocculates Sediment-laden Runoff
EarthGuard hydraulic mulch has a unique formula that is designed to work on the atomic soil level. The Fiber Matrix formula is a blend of wood fiber, proprietary binding/activating agents, and green dye.
| EarthGuard Fiber Matrix Composition | |
|---|---|
| Thermally Processed Virgin Wood Fiber | Approximately 90% |
| Proprietary Binder/Activating Agents Blend | Approximately 10% |
| Green Dye | <1% |
| Water Holding Capacity (100 grams over dry fiber) | 1300 grams |
Although many high-performance hydraulic mulches incorporate tackifiers into the blends, EarthGuard’s unique use of activating agents differentiates the mulch and makes it immediately effective. While the tackifier in other mulches binds the fibers together, EarthGuard’s activating agents bind the mulch fibers together and bind the mulch to the soil. Not only does this result in intimate soil contact, it also results in flocculation.
That’s because EarthGuard contains a blend of anionic polyacrylamides. An anionic polyacrylamide is not toxic. When the negatively charged anionic polyacrylamide polymers are combined with positive ions and introduced to stormwater, the soil particles bind with the anionic polymer, resulting in sediment flocculation.
Why is that important?
When you apply EarthGuard to the soil it doesn’t harden on the surface but rather interacts with the soil. When the soil, hydromulch and stormwater interact, the sediment flocs together, resulting in cleaner downstream watersheds, reduced erosion, and improved stormwater runoff quality.
Learn more about Polymer Flocculation and Stormwater Best Management Practices here.
Soil Loss Test Results
Nothing proves a point quite like testing. If you are deciding whether to hydroseed or install a rolled erosion control blanket, consider the following test results.
In a test by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), EarthGuard Fiber Matrix was the top performer in a NTPEP ASTM 6459 Soil Loss Test.
EarthGuard Fiber Matrix was tested against competing high performance hydraulic mulches and several rolled erosion control blankets.
This test was performed on three erosion control product protected slopes with a 3:1 grade and one bare soil control plot. During the test, rainfall was simulated for 20 minutes at a rate of 2-inches, 4-inches, and 6-inches of rainfall per hour. Runoff samples were collected and soil loss was measured. This data was used to calculate the soil loss ratio and the Cover factor (C-factor).
A C-Factor of 1 is performance measurement of the bare soil test plot. The C-Factor is calculated as the soil loss ratio of the treated surface versus the untreated control surface. For example, an 80% reduction in soil loss correlates to a 0.2 C-Factor.
The ASTM 6459 Soil Loss Test found that EarthGuard hydraulic mulch has a C-Factor of 0.001 during a 4-inch rain event. That translates to 99.99% reduction in soil loss. In other words, EarthGuard Fiber Matrix is 99.99% effective at preventing soil loss during a 4-inch rain event.
Why are these test results important?
In order to control erosion you have to prevent soil loss. Whether you choose to hydroseed or install erosion blankets the purpose of both erosion control products is to stabilize the soil in order to limit soil loss during and after a rain event.
The ASTM Soil Loss Test proves that EarthGuard hydraulic mulch is an industry leading performer amongst all erosion control products including rolled erosion blankets and hydraulic mulches. When combined with a site-specific grass seed mix, this high-performance mulch will effectively stabilize and vegetate your most challenging slopes, ditches and channels for lasting erosion control.
National Support and Regional Approval
EarthGuard has both national support eco-friendliness and regional approval for efficacy.
A More Cost Effective Hydraulic Mulch
National approval is valuable and test results are critical, but we know how important the bottom line is for contractors and owners.
EarthGuard Fiber Matrix has a lower application rate than competing high performance hydraulic mulches.
While application rates should be adjusted per site conditions, the general application rate for normal conditions is outlined below:
| Slope Conditions | Suggested Application Rates |
|---|---|
| 4:1 and flatter | 1,500 lbs per acre other mulches recommend 2,500 lbs per acre |
| 3:1 slope | 1,800 lb per acre other mulches recommend 3,000 lbs per acre |
| 2:1 slope | 2,000 – 2,5000 lbs per acre other mulches recommend 3,500 lbs per acre |
| 1:1 slope and steeper | 3,000 pounds per acre other mulches recommend 4,000 lbs per acre |
A lower application rate translates directly to lower material costs, less water, fewer loads and reduced labor costs.
Ready to Hydroseed with EarthGuard?
Are you convinced and ready to try EarthGuard®?
Contact our sales team to receive pricing for hydromulch, grass seed, fertilizer and amendments for your next hydroseeding project.
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