Care and Maintenance of Your Newly Hydro seeded Turf

April 12, 2007

Hydro seed is a specially selected combination of grass species blended to cope with small differences that exist in the soil.   It is genetically engineered to better cope with the inconsistencies of nature and is tougher and more durable so children and pets can romp all over it.  Because it is a blend of grass plant species, it is better than grass plants that come in sod.  Sod is pure Kentucky bluegrass.  Beautiful looking but fragile, it goes dormant first when sustained periods of drought and heat come along and it costs more to manage.

The special process of hydraulic seeding when applied to your ground provides a coat that consists of wood cellulose fiber mulch to protect against wind temperature fluctuations and it helps to hold the moisture needed for germination.

Its coat also has a special fertilizer to get growing on when it springs into life (germination) and a super absorbent to hold additional amounts of water.

WATERING

When seeded, it needs your help.  It needs to be kept moist until you see green shoots appearing.  A good drink at least every other day is required if it doesn't rain.  Food absorbed from the soil is dissolved in water.  That's why it's important to keep it well watered.  If it doesn't rain for a week and you don't water it, it may have to rely on little roots for finding water in the soil and that gets awfully tough, considering it's immature for at least one full growing season.  Remember to treat it like your children - lots of TLC will go a long way!

FERTILIZING

The food hydro seed lives on is basic.  It has some food when it's planted but it doesn't have enough to get through the winter.  When it has at least two inches of growth, spread a complete fertilizer over the lawn according to the manufacturers recommendations but make sure that the nitrogen is in the CONTROLLED RELEASE FORM.

Feed your lawn spring, summer and fall.  In the fall, avoid fertilizers containing nitrogen, however phosphorous and potash are needed for roots to help get through the winter in good health.  

WEED CONTROL

To keep the weeds out, feed and water regularly.  Thick growth will help discourage weeds.  If they get in too much, spray and kill them (after lawn is established).  If they're left in the lawn they are taking food and water away from seed.  If the ground is hard packed clay, aerate the ground so roots can "breathe".  Aeration also helps to get food and water into root zone.  Make sure to cut your new lawn when it's over 2 inches high. Your lawn gets thicker when cut.  Two inches is a nice height all season long.  The shorter you cut it the less amount of green plant it has to make food for itself.  When this can't be done and it's very hot the plants get weak and have a hard time coping.

SUMMARY

This type of ground cover is easier to care for and manage than pure Kentucky bluegrass sod.  In order to get the best it has to offer, follow these steps:

1. Keep moist once seeded.  Shoots will start to appear in 5-10 days and will continue to sprout through 21-30 days until all species have germinated.
2. Give lawn a good drink at least every other day it doesn't rain.  Hydro seed responds well to moisture.
3. Feed fertilizer in spring, summer and fall.  Your garden center knows what is needed.  Make sure spring and summer fertilizer has nitrogen in the CONTROLLED RELEASE FORM.  This will give sustained feeding over a longer period of time and you get better value for your money.
4. Keep cut at 2 inches.  You can cut shorter provided your lawn is actively growing because of lots of moisture.  In the hot summer, leave at 2" to help cope with heat stresses.  
5. Aerate root zone if trying to grow in hard clay.  This helps to get water, food and air to roots.
6. Keep the weeds out.  Keeping your lawn well fed and watered helps it be thick.  Weeds have trouble getting started when grass is thick.  If they are present, spray and get them out (wait until lawn is established before spraying).