25 JulEarthGuard Hydraulic Mulch
Why Should You Hydroseed with EarthGuard Hydraulic Mulch?
Hydraulic Mulch delivers widespread erosion control and vegetation. When you need superior erosion control protection on steep slopes or slow to grow sites, a high-performance mulch can get you faster results and improved revegetation.
We recommend our clients hydroseed with EarthGuard® when they need a high performance hydromulch. EarthGuard® is effective for site winterization, spring and summer seeding, revegetation on mining and coal ash sites, and general construction closeout seeding. It is manufactured in fifty pound Fiber Matrix™ bales and in a granular form called Edge™.
Why do we like EarthGuard® hydromulch?
We have 4 good reasons:
- Proven test results from NTPEP ASTM testing
- A unique formula that works directly on soil and flocculates sediment
- Supported by the EPA, USDA and approved by Mid-Atlantic DOTs
- Cost effective product that saves time and money
Soil Loss Test Results
Nothing proves a point quite like testing. If you are deciding whether to hydroseed or install 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 (ECP) 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 the measure of performance of the bare soil test plot. The C-Factor is calculated as 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 is a 99.99% reduction in soil loss. In other words, EarthGuard® is 99.99% effective at preventing soil loss during a 4-inch rain event.
Why are these test results significant?
In order to control erosion, you must prevent soil loss. Whether you choose to hydroseed or install erosion blankets the purpose of both erosion control products is 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 hydromulches. 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.
This Unique Hydraulic Mulch Flocculates Sediment
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 bind the fibers together, the binding and activating agents in EarthGuard® bind the mulch fibers together and to the soil.
EarthGuard® is manufactured with a blend of anionic polyacrylamides. An anionic polyacrylamide is not toxic. When these negatively charged polymers are coupled with positive ions and added to stormwater, the soil particles bind with the anionic polymer. This enables flocculation to occur, without harming aquatic life.
When you hydroseed with EarthGuard® FiberMatrix™, the applied mixture binds with aggregates on the soil surface to improve the soil structure and reduce erosion.
The mulch does not harden on the surface but rather interacts with the soil. This results in improved soil porosity and water infiltration. As the sediment flocs together, the result is cleaner downstream watersheds, reduced erosion, and improved stormwater runoff quality.
Learn more about Polymer Flocculation and Stormwater Best Management Practices here.
National Support and Regional Approval
EarthGuard® has both national support eco-friendliness and regional approval for efficacy.
In Virginia, EarthGuard® Fiber Matrix™ is approved on VDOT’s List No.53 for Erosion Control Mulches and List No. 79 for Hydraulic Erosion Control Products.
The Fiber Matrix™ formula also approved on North Carolina’s Erosion Control and Landscaping List, in section 1060-8 and 1060-14 for Blankets and Mats.
Hydraulic Mulch Cost Benefits
National approval is important and test results critical, but we know how important the bottom line is for contractors and owners.
When you hydroseed with EarthGuard® Edge™ you will see cost savings from several factors including:
- Less water required for hydroseeding
- Reduced labor costs
Edge™ requires less water per acre
The granular mulch version of EarthGuard® has a lower mulch/mix ratio than competing hydromulches. In some applications Edge™ granular hydraulic mulch can even be applied dry. When applied hydraulically, Edge™ has a mulch/mix ratio of one 50 pound bale to 70 gallons of water.* Competing granular hydraulic mulches have load ratio of 60 pounds per 100 gallons of water.
*Always consult manufacturer recommendations for application rates and load ratings. Rates will change per site conditions.
Reduced labor costs
When you load more hydromulch per gallon of water, you will cover more area with fewer loads. By reducing the the number of hydroseeder loads, you will reduce labor costs, operating costs and the time it takes to get the job done.
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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