What is Hydroseeding?

Wondering what is hydroseeding? It’s a speedy lawn solution that sprays a mixture of seed, water, mulch, and fertilizer onto your soil for faster germination and healthier grass.

Hydroseeding is not as fast as creating a lawn with sod, of course, but it’s still fast, and generally much cheaper, especially for large properties. The disadvantage to hydroseeding is that if you want to do it yourself, you generally have to rent hydroseeding equipment, and there is also a learning curve involved in doing it properly. 

We’ll delve into all that and more in this guide to hydroseeding.

How hydroseeding works

Hydroseeding is a widely used method for planting grass quickly and effectively. It involves spraying a slurry mixture of grass seed, water, mulch, and other materials onto the lawn using a hydroseeder. The hydroseeder’s pump and nozzle help distribute the slurry evenly for uniform grass growth.

Once applied, the slurry forms a protective layer over the seeds. This layer shields them from birds, prevents washing away during rain, and creates a microenvironment that retains moisture. The seeds germinate faster than with traditional methods, often showing growth within a week under favorable conditions.

Hydroseeding is particularly effective for erosion control on slopes, roadside vegetation establishment, mine reclamation projects, and large-scale landscaping.

What’s in hydroseed?

A hydroseeding mix includes several ingredients, each playing a key role. 

Grass seed

The primary ingredient in hydroseeding is, of course, grass seed. The grass seed you select should depend on your climate, the time of year, and the look you want for your lawn. 

Popular varieties for hydroseeding include Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, buffalograss, and Berrmudagrass. 

Water

Water is key to making the slurry work. It helps activate the seeds and keeps them hydrated while they start to grow. After hydroseeding, make sure to water regularly for the best results. Follow the instructions on your hydroseeding product, especially in the germination phase.

Mulch

Mulch helps retain moisture, prevents erosion, and protects the seeds from extreme weather conditions. It covers the seeds, preventing them from drying out too quickly. 

According to a State of Michigan page, “Mulch fiber length is the key to holding power, while germination is most influenced by moisture holding ability and application rates.”

The most common mulch used in hydroseeding is wood fiber, but you may also find paper or straw fiber in some mixtures.

Fertilizer

Fertilizer gives new grass an extra boost during its early growth stages. It adds essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which help your lawn grow strong and healthy. If your soil is nutrient-poor to begin with, fertilizer can help it overcome those deficiencies and support healthy grass growth.

Dye

Hydroseed often contains a blue or green dye that helps track where you’ve already sprayed the slurry so you don’t miss spots. It also includes a UV shield that protects the grass seed from the sun’s harmful rays, which can dry it out.

Tackifier (optional)

A tackifier is a binding agent that helps the slurry stick to the soil. It’s especially useful for slopes or areas with high wind or rain risk. If your lawn is mostly flat, you probably don’t need a tackifier, but it can help keep the slurry in place while the seeds grow.

Why hydroseed?

Hydroseeding offers some great benefits for your lawn:

Fast germination

Hydroseeding is one of the fastest ways to establish or rejuvenate a lawn. When seeds are mixed with mulch, water, and fertilizer, they establish more quickly in the soil. That’s because they have everything they need to grow from the get-go.

Unlike traditional seeding, which can take several weeks to show results, hydroseeding often shows visible grass growth in just one or two weeks.

Erosion control

Hydroseeding is an excellent solution if you’re planting on a slope or an area vulnerable to erosion. The mulch in the slurry secures the seeds and prevents them from washing or blowing away. It also holds the soil in place while the seeds grow.

Even coverage

With hydroseeding, you can evenly spray the mixture across your lawn, no matter the bumps or slopes. That’s due to the water-based slurry, which doesn’t allow the seeds to clump together. 

This way, you don’t have to worry about patchy spots that often happen with traditional seeding methods. 

Cost-effectiveness for large areas

Hydroseeding can be your go-to option if you’re looking for a way to seed a large area without breaking the bank.

While hydroseeding may be more expensive than dry seeding, it’s often more affordable than installing sod, especially for large areas or difficult-to-reach spots. It offers better value overall.

Versatility

Hydroseeding offers a lot of flexibility. You can either buy a pre-made mix from a garden center or create a customized blend to suit your specific needs.

That means you can mix different grass seeds, soil amendments, fertilizers, and even wildflowers for a more diverse landscape. Just be sure to pick the right grass seed for your climate and soil, get the consistency right, and use high-quality products. Also, blend everything well in the hydroseeder for even application.

Read more:

• How to Choose the Right Grass for Your Lawn
• Guide to Warm-Season Grasses
• Guide to Cool-Season Grasses

Eco-friendliness

Since the mixture is applied as a slurry directly to the soil, there’s little excess material left behind. This reduces waste and runoff, making it a more eco-friendly option compared to traditional seeding or sod installation.

Plus, many mixes contain organic mulch and fertilizers, which are gentler on the environment.

Types of hydroseeding

There are different types or variations of hydroseeding that vary based on the mixture composition, application method, and intended use. Here are the main types:

Basic Hydroseeding uses a simple mixture of seed, water, and a basic mulch (typically wood or paper fiber). This is the most economical option but offers less protection.

BFM (Bonded Fiber Matrix) is a more advanced mixture that includes higher-quality mulch fibers and stronger binding agents. It creates a more durable mat that provides better erosion control and seed protection.

HECP (High-Performance Erosion Control Product) is a premium hydroseeding that uses specialized polymers and interlocking fibers to create a very strong erosion-resistant matrix. It’s often used on steep slopes or areas with high erosion risk.

FGM (Flexible Growth Medium) is similar to BFM but with additional components that allow it to conform better to soil contours while providing excellent moisture retention.

Hydromulching is sometimes used interchangeably with hydroseeding but technically refers to applying only mulch without seed for erosion control purposes.

Eco-Hydroseeding uses organic or specialized environmentally friendly components in the slurry.

Reinforced Hydroseeding incorporates additional materials like straw, coconut fibers, or synthetic fibers for extra reinforcement.

How hydroseed compares to seed and sod

If you’re torn between hydroseeding, traditional seed, and traditional sod, here are some things to consider. We ranked each for their most important qualities (No. 1 being the best), including cost, the time it takes them to establish, and more:

Cost 

1. Traditional seed: The least pricey option upfront, but you’ll have to spend more time and effort establishing your lawn. This can mean higher costs down the road. The average DIY cost is $200 to $400 per 1/4 acre or $300 to $500 for a pro.  
2. Hydroseeding: With hydroseeding, you’re paying for seed, mulch, fertilizer, and water in one go, making it a budget-friendly choice for large areas. The average DIY cost is $400 to $600 per 1/4 acre, or $700 to $1,200 for professional service.
3. Sod: The most expensive option because you’re paying for fully grown grass. The average DIY cost is $9,400 to $19,000 for DIY, or $9,400 to $19,000 for professionally installed.

Effectiveness

1. Sod: This method gives you instant results because the grass is already mature.
2. Hydroseeding: The combination of seed, mulch, water, and fertilizer provides a good foundation for growth. It supports quick germination and can be used on slopes and other difficult terrain.
3. Traditional seed: It can be effective but drought, scavenging birds, and uneven soil conditions can affect how well it germinates.

Overall look

1. Sod: It creates instant visual appeal since the lawn is already mature and thick.
2. Hydroseeding: It provides even coverage, and once it germinates, you’ll have a healthy, lush lawn. The initial spray has a green or blue tint that disappears as the grass grows.
3. Traditional seed: If you don’t spread it evenly, you could have uneven growth and patchy spots. Plus, it usually takes longer to fill in and look lush.

Establishment time

1. Sod: As mentioned above, sod gives you an instant lawn.
2. Hydroseeding: It only takes a few weeks to fully establish, thanks to the potent slurry mix that helps with germination.
3. Traditional seed: It generally takes 3 to 6 weeks to establish, depending on the grass type and weather conditions.

Maintenance

1. Sod: Needs some attention in the first few weeks to help the sod roots settle into the soil, but requires the least work over time since it’s already established.
2. Hydroseeding: Once the grass is up and running, it needs less work because the mix of mulch, water, and fertilizer gives it a strong foundation.
3. Traditional seed: Needs more hands-on care, especially in the first few weeks when the seeds are vulnerable to heavy rain, wind, or drought.

Environmental impact

1. Traditional seed: Widely considered the most eco-friendly option, especially if you use organic seeds and fertilizers. 
2. Hydroseeding: While it can be more efficient in using water and nutrients, the mulch used in hydroseeding can sometimes contain chemicals that may be harmful in certain cases. Still, eco-friendly options exist as well.
3. Traditional sod: Sod itself doesn’t harm the environment, but growing and transporting it uses a lot of water and other resources.

Read more in our complete guide: Should You Sod, Seed, or Hydroseed?

FAQ about hydroseeding

Consider hiring a pro

Whether you want to do it yourself or hire a lawn care pro near you, weigh your options and make sure hydroseeding is what your lawn needs. This way, you’ll have full, thick grass in just a few weeks.

Main Photo Credit: Projar | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 3.0