Hydroseeding Before and After Care

Hydroseeding can be a cost-efficient method to establish grass. Proper preparation before, and care following your hydroseeding application will increase the chances of successfully establishing vegetation.

Prepare the area

Walk around and inspect the area you wish to seed to remove any large rocks and debris. Spread topsoil to a depth of 8-10 inches to develop a rough grade. Fill in low spots and ensure proper drainage away from your home and buildings. If your soil is compacted, you will need to work it over with a tiller. In compacted soil the pore space between soil particles is too narrow and impedes the movement of air, water, and nutrients.

Complete a Soil Analysis

Examine the soil and consider completing a soil analysis. (Top Spray can complete this analysis for you). Soil is made up of sand, silt, and clay. Sandy soil allows air and water to move freely but tend to dry out quickly. Clay soils transfer air and water slowly and can starve the roots of new grass. Enhance sandy and clay soils by adding organic matter, or compost. Top Spray can also recommend soil amendments and pH adjusters based on the soil analysis.

Amend the soil if necessary

Depending on the soil analysis spread 1-2 inches of organic matter on top of the rough grade and till into the topsoil, then establish the finished grade. Use a rake or harrows to even out the surface as well as you can. The soil should not be compacted nor excessively
loose. Contact us at this point to finalize the details of your hydroseed application.

Following your Application

Allow your new hydroseeded lawn to dry for 24 hours. This drying allows the tackifier (glue) in the hydromulch to adhere to the soil. To ensure optimal results avoid walking or driving on the newly seeded lawn and compacting the soil or disturbing the seed.

After 24 hrs begin watering schedule immediately. It is important that you take extra care of your newly hydroseeded lawn by keeping the area moist.

Watering Schedule

Weeks 1-3: The new seed needs to be kept constantly moist but not soggy wet. If the seed dries out after it has sprouted it will die out. Watering requirements can vary depending on irrigation system design, lawn size, weather, and time of year, soil type and topography. Best results are achieved by watering frequently (3-6 times/day depending on weather) for shorter periods of time. Remember keep the area moist. A lighter tone of green, or brown colour indicates drier areas. Please remember high concentration of water at one time and location can displace seed and mulch.

Weeks 3-5: To promote deeper root growth and healthy grass plant development, water your lawn less frequently but for longer lengths of time. This water schedule will go from 3-6 times/day to 2-3 times/week.

Mowing

Mow your lawn as soon as it reaches a height of three and half inches. When mowing use the 1/3 rule, only remove the top 1/3 of the  grass blade. Mow frequently and keep your blades sharp. Mowing encourages the formation of tillers (branching out at the base of the
plant). Increased tillering means your lawn fills in more quickly.

Fertilizing

It is important to fertilize your newly hydroseeded lawn to encourage healthy establishment of juvenile grass plants. In 3 to 4 weeks or when the grass is at least 2 inch high, use a broadcast spreader and apply a balanced, granular fertilizer. Use either a 16-16-16 or 18-10-10 at an application rate of 4.5 kgs/100m². Once the lawn is established you should fertilize 4 to 5 times per year and use a 21-7-14 blend.

Weed Control

Do NOT use a Weed and Feed or any Weed Killer until you have mowed the lawn at least 5 times. It is common to have weeds appear in a newly hydroseeded lawn in the spring. Most of these are annuals and are present in the soil. Regular mowing will be enough to control them and they will likely stay in the lawn until fall, at which time their life cycle ends.