Hydroseeding Specifications

Add fertilizer to water in the tank for a complete hydroseed mix.


If you’re ready to seed a new lawn that is an acre or larger, the task can seem daunting. Traditional seeding requires multiple steps of applying seed, fertilizer, mulch and water. Hydroseeding allows you to seed a lawn in just one step by mixing the seed, fertilizer, mulch and water into a slurry and then blowing it onto the prepared site. This method can be used to establish a new lawn or replace a worn-out one, and it is especially useful for seeding slopes. Just be sure to hydroseed during the season when grass is actively growing in your geographical area.

Site Specifications

Hydroseeding specifications require correct site preparation to establish a full, lush lawn. For grass seed to make good contact with the soil and germinate, all vegetation, rocks and other objects must be removed from the area. The soil pH should be checked and adjusted, if needed, to the appropriate range for the seed you plan to sow, and the site should be graded so it is a level seedbed, unless you are seeding a slope.

Equipment Specifications

When it comes to picking equipment, small tanks that hold 50 to 2,000 gallons of mix and can be towed behind a utility vehicle or pickup truck are available at rental stores. If your hydroseed mix is thick, specifications state to choose a tank with mechanical paddles to agitate the slurry. Although jet propulsion agitators are lighter to tow, they only work with thin slurries. Tanks come equipped with a hose hundreds of feet long making it possible for one person to apply the mix uniformly using broad sweeping strokes. Adding a blue-green dye to the slurry helps you see where it has been applied and prevents gaps.

Water Specifications

Water is the ingredient that gives hydroseeding its name. It carries seed, fertilizer and other additives to the seedbed. It also cools the soil during application and provides moisture for seed to germinate. Adding a binding agent, or tackifier, helps water absorb into soil and mulch to form a mat to prevent seed from washing away when it rains.

Seed Specifications

If your goal is to establish a cover of grass quickly, hydroseeding specifications allow mixing an annual grass with a perennial grass. Annual seeds provide a lawn now, while perennial seeds become established. If you're not in a hurry, just hydroseed perennial grass. Be sure to match the variety to your U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone and the soil. Determine the amount of seed to add by referring to the grass seed’s label for pounds per square foot. When mixing the slurry, add grass seed last and then agitate the tank for three to five minutes. Blow the mix into place within two hours. Waiting longer can oversaturate the seed, which reduces the germination rate.

Mulch Specifications

Mulch gives hydroseeding its ability to prevent grass seed from eroding away or soil from forming rills when it rains. The type of mulch used is specific to the soil type and degree of slope in the area to seed. If you have a level yard, shredded wood or paper-based mulches can be used. On steeper slopes, shredded wood mulch with additives, such as a binding agent, keep the slurry in place. Mulch used for hydroseeding should not contain herbicides or other growth inhibitors.

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