How long hydroseeding

Nov 3, What is hydroseeding? How long does hydroseeding application take? How long does it take hydroseed to start growing? Is there any special maintenance with a hydroseeded yard? What are some other yard installation options? Search for:. Hydroseeding is a method used by professional landscapers in which grass seeds are mixed with fine mulch, fertilizer and water and then sprayed onto prepared soil. The mixture is often tinted green. Depending on the weather and variety of grass, hydroseeded lawns generally begin sprouting within five to 10 days.

The length of time it takes to grow a hydroseeded lawn depends on the type of grass seed and the weather. Ryegrass germinates in just five to 10 days, while Kentucky bluegrass and buffalograss may take as long as 14 to 30 days, advises the University of California. To get the best hydroseeding results, prepare the soil prior to putting down seeds.

Many landscaping professionals will include soil preparation with hydroseeding, but if you are planning on DIY hydroseeding, you'll need to complete this step first. Till the soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches and remove any debris and rock from the area to be seeded, advises Washington State University.

Add 2 to 4 inches of organic material such as compost, peat moss or manure and till it into the soil to improve drainage, then level the area with a rake. During the first 5 — 10 days you will need to water the lawn gently.

You may need to set your system for very short cycles 5 minutes or less that run more frequently 3 to 5 times a day. Running your irrigation system too long during the first 1 to 10 days may cause the mulch to be shifted around which may result in uneven growth or soil erosion.

You will need to monitor your irrigation system very closely during the first day or two to ensure a gentle watering program. Once the grass has started to germinate 7 to 14 days you can increase the run time of your irrigation system 10 to 15 minutes and run it less frequently 2 to 3 times per day.

This can be adjusted depending on the amount of rain Mother Nature provides. When should I fertilize my newly hydroseeded lawn? When the hydroseeding application is first applied to your lawn it contains a starter fertilizer that is high in phosphorus 2nd number on fertilizer bag: N-P-P which encourages fast germination and deep root growth.

This fertilizer will be used up by the newly established grass seedlings in about 4 to 5 weeks. At the 4 to 5 week timeframe a follow-up fertilizer application is very important! The follow-up fertilizer should be high in Nitrogen 1st number on the fertilizer bag: N-P-P. The nitrogen encourages green top plant growth. This will give your newly germinated grass a big boost! Remember: if your lawn is looking pale green in color it most likely needs a fertilizer that is high in Nitrogen. A well fertilized lawn also reduces the amount of weeds present in your lawn.

Will the green hydroseeding material stain my walkways and siding? The green color in the hydroseeding material will not permanently stain your walkways or siding.

Anytime is a good time to plant your lawn. Different seasons offer different advantages. Hydroseeding in the spring and fall requires less water than in the summer months. However, in the heat of the summer the grass will germinate and grow faster.

Ideal temperature for hydroseeding is degrees for the first 5 to 6 weeks. Extreme heat or cold can lead to unique challenges, call for more details. What type of prep should I do before hydroseeding?

You need to get all the weeds and bigger rocks out. Any rock bigger than the size of an egg should be removed. For best results, spray the weeds with round-up, give them one week to die, then till your soil and remove the rocks and dead weeds at the same time.

If you till without killing the weeds, you will leave the live root system in the ground, allowing it to re-emerge quickly. If you have rocky or clay based soil it is recommended to bring in good top soil.