Planting your lawn by hydroseeding can have advantages and disadvantages to other methods such as laying sod or conventional seeding.

Advantages of Hydroseeding

1. If you are planting a relatively large area, hydroseeding can be completed in a very short period of time.
2. Hydroseeding can be very effective for hillsides and sloping lawns to help with erosion control and quick planting.
3. Hydroseeding will typically cost less than planting with sod, but more than regular seeding.
4. Results are often quick with high germination rates producing grass growth in about a week and mowing maintenance beginning around 3-4 weeks from the date of application. Fiber mulch accelerates the growing process by maintaining moisture around the seeds thereby increasing the rate of germination.

Watering your lawn.

THE FIRST 14 DAYS ARE IMPORTANT

The establishment of your new Hydroseed lawn is easy. The seed, fertilizer and mulch are in place. All you have to do is water it.

Watering is the most effective if done during the evening or early morning hours when the sunlight cannot cause excessive evaporation. After your lawn becomes established it requires approximately one inch of water per week. The soil should be soaked through when watered. Water should penetrate at least 6" into the soil to insure deep rooting.

Keep the lawn moist at all times, preferably by frequent light sprinklings. However, if this is not possible, soak your lawn for 30 minutes, or until run-oft is detected. This watering process should be repeated twice a day,(early morning and evening), every day for the first week and every other day after that until the first cutting. Don't let the lawn dry out. If the germinating seedlings dry out, they will die.

Fertilizing your Lawn. A commercial fertilizer was most likely applied with your lawn seed and Hydroseed Mulch fibers. This initial application of fertilizer should provide the nutrients to give the young grass seedling a healthy start.

An additional application of fertilizer should be considered after two to three months of growth. Consult your landscaper or your nurseryman for more specific advice concerning the type and frequency that fertilizer should be applied.

Regular Maintenance

Mowing your lawn. A new lawn should be mowed as soon as the grass blades are 2" to 3" high. Delaying the first cutting may allow long grass blades to bend over, causing a shabby appearance.

Subsequent mowing should be done often and lawn mower blades should always be kept sharp to prevent bruised and torn grasses which develop unsightly brown spots.

The cutting heights for lawns vary according to grass species. Creeping or spreading grasses, such as Bent, perform and appear best when mowed 1/2 inch to 1 inch high. However, when these grasses are mowed short, frequent fertilizing is needed. Fescues and Bluegrasses should be mowed considerably higher at heights of 2 inches or more. Consult your applicator concerning the type of grass and the proper cutting height for your area.

Weed Control. Weeds will appear in your new lawn. They come from seeds which have lain dormant in the ground or which have been carried in by wind or birds. These weeds can best be controlled by growing good healthy grass. Grass which is properly watered, mowed, and well fertilized provides too much competition for weed plants to gain any stronghold. Should your lawn ever become damaged or have bare spots, reseed immediately to prevent competitive weed growth from becoming established. If weeds do appear, consult your nurseryman for the proper methods and chemicals to control weeds before they have gained a stronghold in your lawn.