Find the Best Hydroseeding Contractors Near You

Hydroseeding is the highly effective practice of revegetating land or restoring the soil’s pH and nutrition levels using vegetation.

Over large areas of land, restoration activities can be difficult and time-consuming to perform. Often, there are areas where humans can’t go if they’re relying on hand seeding, drill seeding, or even broadcast techniques. So hydroseeding services provide a safe and efficient alternative for mass revitalisation of the land.

Here’s how hydroseeding works:

• A container or a small tank/chamber known as a hydroseeder sits on top of a truck. Connected to this truck is a large hose or cannon that has a significant spray distance and velocity.
• Inside the hydroseeder, ‘tank’ sits a mixture of water, grass seed (or single-origin cover crops), fertiliser, and tracking dye. The mixture may also contain a binding agent known as a ‘tackifier', which ensures that the mixture adheres to the land when sprayed.
• The chamber or tank includes a built-in ‘paddle’ that constantly agitates the slurry mixture
• Once your hydroseeding companies apply this mixture, crops start to grow fairly quickly, between five to seven days. In the long term, these crops affix nitrogen and build up the soil condition so that it’s biologically active once more.

Hydroseeding costs depend on a variety of factors, such as the size of your site or property, the number of debris that needs to be cleared, the level of sloping or incline, and even the type of grass seed or cover crop you choose.

Generally speaking, the cost to hydroseed one acre can run you between $2,500 AUD to $5,200 AUD. The average hydroseeding cost works out to $1,300 AUD.

The most important thing to understand about hydroseeding costs, however, is the level of efficiency. A hydroseeding kit that spreads the mixture across a large area saves hydroseeding companies time and money. This is one of the undeniable advantages of hydroseeding because those savings transfer to you. That’s why you’ll see costs drop significantly over a larger portion of land than another method like laying sod or solid turfing.

Hydroseeding and hydromulching are both methods used to establish vegetation, but they serve slightly different purposes. Hydroseeding involves spraying a slurry mixture containing seeds, fertiliser, fibre mulch, tackifiers, and water onto prepared soil to promote rapid germination and growth of vegetation. It's primarily used when the goal is to establish grass or other plants quickly over a large area.

Hydromulching, on the other hand, uses a similar slurry but typically does not include seeds; instead, it's applied to provide temporary erosion control and soil stabilisation. The mulch in hydromulching acts as a protective layer, preserving moisture and preventing soil erosion until permanent vegetation can be established. Understanding these differences helps in selecting the appropriate method for your project's specific needs.

In almost every other way, the two techniques are the same. There’s no difference, for example, in hydroseeding costs versus hydromulching. The equipment that’s used is also exactly the same.

Can you hydroseed your own lawn? Absolutely! Should you hydroseed on your own? That’s debatable. Generally speaking, it’s doable, but it’s quite an involved process that is often best left up to the professionals at hydroseeding companies.

Here’s what professional hydroseeding services save you from doing:

• Seed selection — Knowing which seed type is right for your property and the weather conditions.
• Soil tests — Ensuring your soil has the right pH to support vegetation (or spend time amending it).
• Debris removal — Removing debris and clearing weeds, as hydroseeding requires bare soil.
• Grading the soil — Creating a grade 2.5 to 3 inches below the grade you’re aiming for. Failing to do this may result in the slurry reaching your house and causing moisture damage.
• Topsoil and compost application — Applying these before hydroseeding so your vegetation has the right nutrients to grow.
• Re-grading the soil — Smoothing out the soil once more.
• Use of the hydroseeding kit — Knowing how to operate these and where to rent or buy your own from.
• Spraying the slurry — Evenly and accurately spraying hydroseed mixture with the machine.
• Aftercare and maintenance — Ensuring the right moisture levels for the first two months to support germination and establishment.

There are several clear advantages of hydroseeding. These include:

• Saving time and money, as hydroseeding costs 75 per cent less than laying sod.
• Multiple-use cases, including agricultural, national parks, residential property enhancement, athletic fields, transportation projects, restoring landfills, and more.
• Results in stronger, robust, and longer-lasting vegetation.
• Can retain up to 10 times its weight in moisture.
• Can reach large distances and difficult terrain.
• Perfect for erosion control and soil stabilisation.
• Customisable seed blends that can use grass seeds, as well as native wildflowers, agricultural pasture, and other specialised mixes.
• Smooth operation and even application of slurry due to hydraulics system.
• Paddle-blade agitation within the hydroseeder mixes all parts of the slurry evenly.

iseekplant has a nationwide network of quality hydroseeders operating in all Australian capital cities from Brisbane to Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne to Darwin, Perth and Adelaide. We also offer hydroseeding solutions in all major towns and cities from Cairns down to the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Central Coast, Geelong and Hobart.

Using iseekplant’s powerful Get a Quote tool, you can get instant access to top-rated hydroseeding companies. Our easy-to-use database is the key to the success of your next project. You can also call us on 1300 691 912 or email us at projects@iseekplant.com.au for more information and personalised service today.

Hydroseeding can be both a temporary or permanent solution, depending on the seeds and materials used in the slurry mixture. When permanent vegetation is desired, hydroseeding is performed with perennial seed mixes suited to the local climate and soil conditions, resulting in long-lasting plant growth. The method promotes strong root establishment and healthy vegetation that can endure over time.

Alternatively, hydroseeding can be used for temporary soil stabilisation by using annual or fast-growing seed varieties that provide quick cover to prevent erosion. Therefore, the permanence of hydroseeding is determined by the project's goals and the type of seeds selected.

Hydroseeding is often considered a worthwhile investment due to its efficiency and cost-effectiveness, especially for large areas. It provides rapid and uniform seed application, resulting in even grass growth with enhanced moisture retention and disease resistance. The slurry mixture promotes excellent seed-to-soil contact, leading to higher germination rates compared to traditional broadcasting methods.

Additionally, hydroseeding can be more economical than laying turf or sod, particularly over expansive landscapes. The method saves time and labour costs while delivering high-quality results, making it a valuable option for both residential and commercial projects.

Hydroseeding over existing grass is generally not recommended because the new seeds may struggle to establish amidst the existing vegetation. For optimal results, it's best to start fresh by removing the old lawn and properly preparing the soil to ensure good seed-to-soil contact.

This involves clearing the area of existing grass, weeds, and debris, followed by soil conditioning and grading. Alternatively, if you aim to rejuvenate your lawn without complete removal, you might consider overseeding. Overseeding involves aerating or power raking the existing lawn to expose the soil and then spreading new seeds, which can help fill in thin areas and improve lawn density without the need for hydroseeding.

The ideal time to hydroseed largely depends on regional climate conditions, but generally, autumn is one of the best seasons for hydroseeding. During autumn, temperatures are mild, and there is usually ample rainfall, creating optimal conditions for seed germination and root establishment.

In many Australian climates, autumn provides a balance of warm soil and cool air temperatures, which helps seeds to germinate quickly and grow robustly before the onset of extreme weather. Spring is also a favourable time for hydroseeding, offering similar benefits. Scheduling hydroseeding during these seasons enhances the likelihood of successful vegetation establishment and long-term growth.

Hydroseed is formulated to adhere to the soil surface, and when applied correctly on properly prepared soil, it is resistant to washing away. The mulch and tackifiers in the hydroseeding mixture help secure the seeds and protect them from erosion caused by wind and light rain. However, if heavy rainfall occurs immediately after application, or if the soil has not been adequately decompacted and prepared, there is a risk of partial washout.

To minimise this risk, it's important to monitor weather forecasts and avoid hydroseeding just before heavy rain is expected. Additionally, implementing erosion control measures, such as applying a protective mulch layer or using erosion control blankets on slopes, can help keep the hydroseed in place until the vegetation establishes.