Summer Hydro Seeding Conditions

A prolonged period of wet weather through Spring and early Summer has made conditions favorable for HydroSeeding.  Although moisture is very benificial for a new lawn too much wetness can lead to fungus in many lawns. A newly seeded lawn is seceptable to “Pythium Blight” or Damping off of seed. Poor air circulation, excessive nitrogen, poor drainage and excessive wetness along with hot humid temperatures are all favorable conditions for the disease. It is important not to over water and allow the new turf to dry before night time. We advise our customers to water early in the day and finish by mid afternoon. This will help minimize the chance of the disease occuring. It is also important not to over fertilize the new grass in the heat of the summer. Always read the labels and look for a coated or slow release fertilizer. Fertilize at the lower rate according to the label if conditions are favorable for disease. Remember not to use any type of weed controls untill the new lawn has been mowed 4 times. A healthy crop of weeds is normal during late spring and the summer months. Once you start mowing the weeds will eventually be overtaken by your new lawn. Remember it is important not to cut more than 1/3 of the grass blade at one time. This may require a weekly mowing or maybe more. It is always recommended to raise the mowing height in the summer for a healthier lawn. For more information on lawn care and diseases visit: http://www.uri.edu/ce/factsheets/index.htm.

Choosing a Hydroseeding Contractor

You may think choosing a hydroseeding contractor is easy. Call around and see who has the best price. Unfortunately this is a common mistake that consumers make when choosing a contractor. You really need to do a little homework when choosing a company to hydroseed your lawn.

 

We will offer a few basic tips to help you choose a contractor.

 

Would you ever ask a cement company what they use to make their cement? Probably not, you really want to know what the product and delivery fees are. With hydroseed it is different because there are many different products used in the mix. It is very easy to cut corners and not use the right products or the appropriate amount of materials for the job. The basic ingredients are water, hydromulch, grass seed, fertilizer and Tackifier which is the glue that holds everything together. How will you know there is enough ingredients in the slurry to produce a quality lawn?  Will there be a crabgrass preventive or lime to help neutralize the soil? These are questions that need to be asked when you are shopping for Hydroseed. 

 

Hydro Seed is typically priced by the square foot. This price includes cost of materials, payroll, equipment, insurance, license fees, delivery fees, installation fees, overhead cost and any other costs of doing business. There is usually a minimum charge that will normally cover the cost of the first load. This price will vary for each contractor.

 

Here are some questions to ask a contractor.

 

·     What are the fees?

·     What type of grass seed and other materials are used?

·     Do they offer a guarantee?

·     Do they provide information on how to take care of your new lawn?

·     Are they affiliated with any professional associations related to Hydroseeding?

 

A good contractor should be able to choose the right seed for the area to be planted. Obviously you do not want a full sun seed mix in an area with dense shade. Most professional contractors will offer some kind of guarantee as long as you follow there directions on how to properly take care of your new lawn. There are associations that help contractors keep up to date with the latest equipment, products and techniques.

 

Rates will vary depending on operating costs, amounts and types of materials used and proximity to water for refills.

 

For more information on Hydroseeding visit our website:

http://AlwaysGreenRI.com

Hydro Seeding vs Slice Seeding

Always Green offers Hydro & Slice Seeding, so we will briefly explain the difference of both.

 

Hydroseeding is a mixture of water, grass seed, fertilizer, green mulch fiber and glue called Tackifier. Additional products are often added to the mix to control weeds and enhance soil conditions. All these ingredients are mixed in a Hydro Seeder then sprayed out of a hose on the prepared soil surface. This application is ideal when the area to be sprayed is bare dirt. This is a one step seeding process because everything needed to establish your new lawn is in the slurry which is sprayed evenly on the ground.

 

This process is fast and less labor intensive than other seeding methods. The seed will stay protected and moist in the wood fiber mulch. Hydro Seeding will produce a uniform stand of grass much quicker than other seeding methods. The spray is directed straight down to penetrate the soil for optimum seed germination.

 

Slice Seeding is a process of applying grass seed with a walk behind power rake. The seed is dropped out of a hopper and then sliced below the soil surface with a series of thin blades. A broom then covers the seed with loam and thatch from the slicing process. The surface to be slice seeded needs to be relatively even, with Hydroseeding it does not. Slice Seeding is recommended in areas where there is an existing lawn or thatch layer that needs to be cut for the seed to contact the soil.

 

This method is more time consuming and labor intensive because every product needed to establish new growth needs to be applied separately. Slice Seeding is a good choice for existing lawns that have thinned out or have excessive weeds. It is also a great way to introduce newer seeds to your existing lawn that are more disease resistant and stress tolerant or just better suited for your liking. This procedure is the best way to renovate your old lawn.

 

 Conclusion:

 

Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages. We do not recommend Hydroseeding unless the soil has been prepared properly and the area is free of thatch. We do recommend Hydroseeding if you are trying to establish a new lawn that will give you outstanding results. We do not recommend trying to establish a new lawn by slice seeding bare ground. You will see rows of seed and there will be nothing to keep the seed moist and protected. The results will be disappointing compared to Hydroseeding. More information can be found on our web site: http://AlwaysGreenRI.com

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