Caring For Your Hydroseeded Lawn

What To Expect

The seed used in your hydroseeded lawn contains a blend of different types of grasses, each with different growing characteristics and germination rates. The earliest germinating grass is the Perennial Rygrass which germinates in about 4 to 7 days. This grass acts as a nurse plant to the other grasses as they germinate, protecting them from temperature extremes and the scorching sun. Fescues germinate in about 7 to 14 days and are the grass component in the lawn that stand up to wear and drought. Varieties of Kentucky Bluegrass can take up to three or four weeks before they start germinating and provide the lawn with the rich green that we expect in our lawns. Knowing that the seed blend contains different grass varieties and understanding that each of these varieties have different germination rates and growth characteristics helps us recognize that it takes time for a hydroseeded lawn time to fill in and mature.

Watering Practices

Once the newly hydroseeded lawn has set for 24 hours, it is time for watering. Depending on temperatures, watering should take place in the morning, late afternoon, or early evening hours. Keep the mulch moist but don’t over water. If you see pooling, stop watering. Once you start watering it is important to remain consistent, especially when temperatures are above 25 degrees. Lack of watering can cause the seed to dry up and expire. In the spring and fall when temperatures are more favorable and we have cooler evenings, one good watering per day is usually all that is needed. Be careful not to over water during these cooler periods.

Mowing

Once your grass is approximately 5 to 6 cm high, it is time for its first mowing. Your lawn will still look “patchy” at this point but it is still critical to mow regularly. Regular mowing “prunes” the grass plants encouraging them to spread and grow thicker. Make sure your mower blades are sharp. Dull blades can tear the new blade of grass and may cause stress or disease. When mowing be sure you never take more than 1/3 off the new blade of grass, and don’t collect the clippings! Let them biodegrade in the new turf. This will add nutrients to the soil and accelerate plant development. Do not mow a wet lawn. After your second mowing, the lawn should be filling in nicely and the “patchiness” should be nearly gone by the 4th to 6th mowing.

Fertilizing

The plant will use the fertilizer applied at installation during the first 4 weeks. In the fifth week you will need to fertilize once again. Fertilizer requirements will vary depending on the time of year and soil conditions. We recommend using an organic-based, slow release fertilizer. Check with a reputable nursery or seed center for proper fertilizer specifications. Be sure to carefully follow the fertilizer manufacture’s directions for application rates and procedures.

Weeds

The seed used for hydroseeding is certified to be of highest purity; however, weed seeds in the topsoil will germinate along with the grass seed. This should not be a cause for concern. In time the new grass will mature, spread, and choke out the weeds. Do not use any herbicides on your young lawn for at least one full growing season as it will damage the grass. A mature and healthy hydroseeded lawn will be free of weeds.

Remember...

Your new lawn is still in its infancy. Just because your lawn looks fully established, does not mean you should alter your watering and fertilizing practices. It takes about 20 weeks for a new lawn to mature and be ready for the environmental stresses of our area. Choosing the right fertilizers, keeping your mower blades sharp, proper watering practices, and changing (increasing) mowing height in mid and late summer should guarantee a healthy and beautiful lawn.