What is Hydroseeding?

Hydroseeding is the process of adding seed, fertilizer, tackifier, wood mulch and water in correct proportions into the tank of a Hydroseeding machine. These ingredients are then mixed together creating a green colored slurry. This slurry is then pumped through a hose and sprayed onto prepared ground in designated lawn areas. R & M Properties & Renovations LLC uses only 100% wood mulch because of its superior moisture holding capability when compared to paper mulch. Hydroseeding can be used in new construction projects as well as replacing old expired lawns. Hydroseeding is a fast and easy alternative to sodding. You can have a beautiful, healthy, durable lawn at a fraction of the cost of sodding. Hydroseeding is widely used in the residential market throughout the United States. In fact, because of hydroseedings overwhelming success, sod farms have become virtually obsolete in some states.

Fast Growing Grass

There are reasons hydroseeding works so well. The seeds are evenly spread and suspended in the nutrient rich slurry. The contact of the seeds with the water in the machine triggers the germination cycle. The mulch layer seals in the moisture, holds the soil in place and acts like a mini-greenhouse effect. The seeds are at an ideal depth for good results. The conditions are right to produce a lush green lawn in a very short time. A hydroseeded area typically has a good stand of grass in 2-3 weeks, depending on the type of grass. All of these attributes have made hydroseeding a popular choice for commercial and roadside applications for many years. 

Grass/Seed Types

Depending on your dedication level in regards to lawn maintenance, some consideration is necessary when choosing a grass type for your new lawn. The quickest germinating / establishing grass that we hydroseed is Bermuda. Bermuda is applied at a high poundage to square foot ratio resulting in a thick stand of grass in a matter of weeks with little to no fill in time for thin areas if a proper watering schedule has been kept. However, Bermuda grass is the most forgiving of all grasses if a customer doesn't have the time to maintain good watering practices during the germination / establishing stages. Maintenance on Bermuda is simple, the more you water and fertilize, the more you cut! Bermuda is green during the summer months and dormant (brown) during the winter. 

Next, and popular for our lawn lover customers is Centipede grass. Centipede is a slow germinating - slow growing grass that requires a lot of attention and often takes two growing seasons to completely fill in. To speed things up a little, we have perfected a seed mixture consisting of Carpet & Centipede grass that works well for us. Our blend contains just enough quick germinating Carpet grass seeds to establish a good stand of grass while the slower germinating Centipede seeds establish and begin to slowly take over the lawn eventually overtaking the Carpet grass. Before long you will end up with an entire Centipede lawn, in the mean time the Carpet grass will keep your lawn looking beautiful. This overtaking process is slow but well worth the wait. Unlike Bermuda grass, we strongly recommend a regular watering schedule be kept while this lawn is establishing. Good lawn maintenance will definitely benefit any new lawn. Carpet and Centipede grasses are both dormant (brown) during the winter.

Bermuda, Centipede and Carpet grasses are our most popular permanent lawn choices. However, we also over seed established lawns in the fall with Rye grass which will stay green all winter long. Most customers have us apply an annual Rye grass which dies off the next spring when their permanent lawn begins to grow. We also over seed with a perennial Rye grass that returns each fall without reseeding. Just remember, a cool season lawn means that you will be cutting grass 12 months a year!    
 
Hydroseed for Home Lawns
 
Now, hydroseeding is becoming a more popular choice for lawn applications as well. Installing sod costs .30-.60 per square foot while hydroseed costs .08-.12 per square foot. If a homeowner has to have an instant lawn, sod is the way to go. But with a little patience, a homeowner can have a beautiful, healthy lawn for a fraction of the price and substantially less labor.

Hydroseed for Existing Lawns

The great thing about hydroseeding is that it is not just for new lawns. Hydroseeding can be used to renovate or over seed an existing lawn as well. Homeowners who are not happy with their existing lawn can simply cut the grass short and have the area hydroseeded right over the existing lawn. It will fill in weak spots and create a healthier overall lawn. The same process can be done in the fall with winter rye grass for a green lawn all winter.