What is Hydroseeding?

HYDROSEEDING:
\hi-dro-seeding\ (verb)

Hydroseed machines mix together seed, water, fertilizer, tackifier (glue) and green fiber mulch to create a slurry. The slurry is sprayed on the ground with a high pressure hose which helps it to reach all kinds of terrain. Like slopes, that may be difficult to reach. When the slurry dries, it creates a crust over the ground, protecting the area from erosion. The crust protects the seeds from being washed away in the rain or eaten by birds. By the very fast growing of the plants roots, an immense root-system is created which additionally helps to bind the soil. Due to the humic substances contained, the accumulation of micro-organisms like earthworms is fostered, which contribute to a perfect drainage and aeration of the soil.

Due to the fact, that the seeds are in constant contact with water and fertilizer, plants quickly sprout and grow strong and healthy. The seeds are spread evenly and held in place, creating good coverage. All of these attributes have made hydroseed a popular choice for commercial and roadside applications for many years.

Now, Hydroseed is becoming a more popular choice for lawn applications, because hydroseeding is much more cost-effective than planting a conventional lawn. The great thing about hydroseed is that it is not just for new lawns. Hydroseed can be used to renovate or overseed an existing lawn as well. The existing lawn only has to be cut very short and have hydroseed sprayed right over it. It will fill weak spots and create a healthier overall lawn. Grass seed is not the only type of seed, that can be applied this way. Wildflowers can be hydroseedes for a burst of colour. Wildflower seeds can be selected for full sun or shade. Wildflowers are typically hydroseeded in the fall or in early spring.

The technology of Hydroseeding is mostly applied on degraded soils. Degraded areas are mainly soils, which cannot cover themselves with a protection ground vegetation, as these areas may have been created artificially, or changed from the outside by some reason. In agriculture this kind of degraded soil may appear as a follow-up to waste-industry, water-treatment industry, mining, landfill industry and plot realignment. Natural disasters like floods, volcanic eruptions can also cause this kind of degraded soils as a follow-up of to soil-, mud- and ash - deposits. As areas without a close vegetation cover are very much affected by erosion, especially in these areas hydroseeding is applied very successfully. A hydroseeded area typically has a good stand of vegetation within 2-3 weeks.

The main tasks of hyroseeding are:

• Establishing the conditions for long-lasting, viable vegetation covers
• Reduction of soil erosion by wind and water on endangered areas
• Amelioration of structure and texture of unstable soil-surfaces
• Prevention of harmful utilization in nature and landscape
• According to the sites conditions, it is the amelioration of the soil which not only enables the sowing and the germination of the seedlings, but it considerably fosters the development of the plant.

Hydraulic sowings mainly apply soil vaccines and additives and soil-activation substances, either on basis of humic substances (potassium humate) alginate or hydrosilikat.

Places where hydroseeding is used:

• Golf Courses
• Quarries
• Parks
• Hydro Facilities
• Roof Top Gardens
• Embankments
• Gravel Pits
• Soil Enforcements
• Reservoirs
• Go Stations
• Parks
• Paths
• Schools
• Ponds
• Airports
• New Home Developments
• Vertical Walls
• Landfill Sites
• Retaining Walls
• Restorations
• Storm Water Managment
• Railway Embankments
• Ditches
• River Banks
• Sports Fields