Hi everyone! Starting a blog for Outscape was definitely not on our bingo card for 2024 but here we are! We are excited for another outlet to reach people and can’t wait to see where this goes!
After some back and forth on what our first post should cover, we decided on hydroseeding. It’s a topic that many people don’t know a lot about, and it’s relevant for this time of year as it’s currently the perfect time to have it done.
So, what is hydroseeding? It is simply a method of planting grass seed. Seed, mulch, water, fertilizer and a tackifier are mixed together to form a slurry. At Outscape, we specifically use a mulch called Fibramulch. It is made from recycled fibers and is also green in colour. This dyes the slurry the bright green colour often associated with hydroseeding. It helps us know where we’ve sprayed, resulting in a consistent, even spread. The Fibramulch absorbs water, which aids in germination as the water supply to the seed is more continuous. When the Fibramulch dries, it protects the seed from erosion and the elements. The tackifier binds the other ingredients to the soil’s surface, also helping protect from wind and rain.
There are many different benefits to hydroseeding. The seed will establish quickly, usually sprouting within 1-2 weeks. It is also more affordable than sod. Different varieties of seed can also be combined into the mix, resulting in a healthier lawn. Hydroseeding also can cover a large area in a uniform manner, with minimum time, due to the spreader that is used.
You may be wondering – why wouldn’t I just lay sod in my yard? It looks so beautiful! And…you would be right. Sod is such a great way to go instantly from dirt to a beautifully transformed, green lawn. However, if expense is a consideration for you, hydroseeding is a great option. Hydroseeding will also establish a deeper root system than sod as seed is directly planted into the soil. Regular hand seeding/dry seeding is another method for growing grass. It is, however, time-consuming and much harder to obtain even results. It also could require many steps if you separately apply seed, mulch, and fertilizer. This is the cheapest option, often only a few cents per square foot. Sod ranges from 50 cents to almost a dollar per square foot, and hydroseeding falls nicely in the middle at 10 to 20 cents per square foot.
Now that you have all this information, maybe you are convinced to try out hydroseeding at your own property. But now, you’re wondering when you should do this. Fall and spring are the best times, considering the cooler temperatures and rainier weather these seasons bring. Fall is our favourite time to hydroseed. This is because the lawn will be established before winter, but then go dormant while it’s cold. Come spring, the grass can then get a good start during the cool, rainy weather before the beginning of summer.
We hope you learned something about hydroseeding! Thanks for taking the time to read our first blog post. Do you have any topics you’d like us to cover?