Hydroseeding: An industry evolving

With stricter regulations under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System requirements and tougher mandates from local governments, contractors everywhere are looking for effective and economical ways to control erosion and establish vegetation. A plethora of choices is available, but for many projects, hydroseeding is the way to go. The mixture of mulch, tackifier, seed, and soil amendments sprayed onto slopes is often more economical than applying blankets and, under many circumstances, is as effective.




Here are some criteria for choosing hydroseeding over other techniques:



•Slopes steeper than 2.5:1 or along a waterway

•Rough or inaccessible areas

•Require stabilization even before vegetation can sprout

•Need quick establishment of vegetation, but not enough budget for sod

•Not enough budget for blankets

•Need soil stabilization during a rainy season or winter, before vegetation can be established

•Require moisture retention without having to resort to heavy irrigation

As the hydroseeding industry has matured, companies are offering more choices of mulch types. The most common applications are wood and paper, with newcomers also in the mix. However, the basic wood and paper mulches mixed with guar tackifier have evolved into cross-linked applications. Cross-linking fibers provide more strength and stability to the mulch. Many of the manufacturers of hydraulically applied materials claim that their products rival blankets for stability and growth of vegetation.

To Read more:  http://www.erosioncontrol.com/january-february-2007/hydroseeding-industry-evolving.aspx