Hydroseeding done well saves time and money over sodding......

• When done well, hydroseeding can produce sod-like quality results with about one-third of the labor and for about one-third of the cost.

Service Strategy:Seed it to Believe It.
     This season marks Bob Baldner’s first attempt to offer hydroseeding as part of his full-service landscape and irrigation company. So far, he’s sold about 3 acres of seeding, which will cover all of his initial equipment costs and even leave him with a little bit of profit. While it’s still too early to tell, Baldner says the current demand for hydroseeding should help the business grow each year. “It’s such a new service for us that I can’t really make any accurate predictions pertaining to revenue,” says the owner of Irrigation Innovations, Livingston, Mont. “The demand seems to be there though, so it should be a good revenue stream for our business.”




Like many other contractors, Baldner began offering hydroseeding as an alternative to laying sod. When done well, hydroseeding can produce sod-like quality results with about one-third of the labor and for about one-third of the cost. The biggest drawback to hydroseeding seems to be the lack of “instant gratification” achieved by using sod, says Ray Badger, president of Turbo Technologies, Beaver Falls, Pa. But with a little patience and regular watering, hydroseeding can often produce a better-looking lawn than sodding within six weeks, Badger says.



According to Lawn & Landscape research, about 2 percent of contractors purchased hydroseeding machines in 2006 and 4 percent plan to purchase a machine in 2007. The hydroseeding industry grows about 10 percent each year, Badger says, adding that machines and products are more affordable, user-friendly and readily available than ever before.



WHAT IS HYDROSEEDING? Hydroseeding is the process of combining grass seed, dyed mulch, fertilizer, tackifier and water into a hydroseeding machine. The machine’s tank mixes the materials together to create a substance that is evenly sprayed through a hose over bare soil. The dyed mulch, usually green or blue, helps contractors see where they have sprayed to ensure an even application. Regular watering helps soak-in the seed and the mulch-based covering holds in the moisture and speeds up seed germination. The mulch also protects the newly planted seeds from harmful sun rays and hungry birds. As the lawn grows, the mulch gradually decomposes and nourishes the soil.


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