As one of the most popular lawn installation methods around, CT hydroseeding is a great way to quickly and effectively develop healthy grass where you need it.
But while it may offer some advantages over traditional seeding techniques, there are also disadvantages that need to be considered before deciding whether hydroseeding is right for your lawn. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the potential downfalls of using hydroseeding so that you can make an informed decision when choosing how best to promote grass growth in your yard.
Table of Contents
Cost
Cost is one of the key factors that determine whether people use hydroseeding or other traditional methods to seed their landscaping. In comparison to other seeding methods, hydroseeding can be significantly more expensive due to the need for specialized equipment and material, which can cause a high initial investment.
In most cases, this investment is too high for some people to justify the cost, even with potential long-term savings and other benefits.
Moreover, most standard landscaping contracts do not cover the cost of hydroseeding, attempting to pass along those expenses to the customer directly. Therefore, it is understandable that some weigh the cost when considering using hydroseeding for their next landscaping project.
Time
When attempting a landscaping project, many professionals might be drawn to more traditional methods, such as broadcasting seeds or laying sod for quick and easy results.
Although these options may be highly appealing in terms of speed, hydroseeding provides many advantages that could change people’s perspectives about time constraints.
Hydroseeding requires a more meticulous preparation process as the seed, fertilizer, and other components must be mixed together prior to application. Once applied, it can take longer for germination and establishment compared to other seeding techniques due to its slower absorption rate into the soil. While hydroseeding may take a little more time initially, its benefits far outweigh any downside.
Labor Intensive
To ensure optimal results, hydroseeding is quite labor intensive compared to other traditional seeding methods. It must be applied evenly over an entire surface area with great attention paid to detail, or else it could lead to undesired results. Furthermore, it does require more tending than other grasses or plants, and frequent maintenance checks should be part of the process.
These checks are necessary in order to identify potential weed development and address it swiftly before it takes away from the success of the seedbed. Although more tedious than many other seeding options, an advantage of hydroseeding is that all of these tasks can be done relatively quickly because the material moves efficiently through a hose instead of having to spread it manually with a rake or seed spreader.
Environmentally Unfriendly
It is well known that the use of herbicides, insecticides, and hydroseeders can have a damaging effect on the environment, with even a small oversight having the potential for large-scale consequences. For example, when sprayers and hydroseeders are used in combination, chemicals can drift from one area to another, potentially threatening aquatic wildlife or vegetation.
Additionally, many of the materials which are incorporated into hydroseeder devices are petroleum-based, and their production often emits large quantities of greenhouse gas that contribute to global warming.
By taking extra precautions when handling such products, these activities could be managed sustainably and reduce the associated environmental risks. However, it is important to understand that practices like this can notably damage our sensitive ecosystems if not regulated responsibly.
Limited Species Selection
Hydroseeding is a great tool for efficiently establishing large patches of vegetation, but the limited species selection can present limitations when it comes to the types of vegetation that can be planted through this process.
As different plants have different needs for optimal germination, hydroseeding must adhere to strict moisture levels, temperature, and depth penetration standards in order to increase the chance of successful growth and establishment.
This stringent composition language may rule out certain plants as they may require special supplemental steps after application in order to survive. For example, cacti are one species that simply aren’t suitable for hydroseeding unless combined with secondary processes. If a variety of plant species is desired, then additional methods outside of hydroseeding should be considered together with it.
Short-Term Success Rate
While hydroseeding may be an effective option for quickly adding a green layer to barren soil, it does not guarantee longer-term success. This is because most of the water and nutrients that come with the mixture remain on top of the soil instead of being soaked underneath.
As a result, even in moderate climates, sustaining lush vegetation with this method can be a challenge from year to year and especially in drier climates where the shortage of water can work against successful and long-term growth. For this reason, it is important to understand potential longevity when considering hydroseeding as an option for covering larger areas with vegetation.
Low-Quality Control
Low-quality control is a common issue when it comes to working with hydroseeders, as they are meant to cover large areas in a timely manner. Although this speed of production can be an advantage, it also leads to less attention being paid to detail. Inevitably, some areas will receive too much material, leaving clumps and patches that were not intended.
As well, certain spots may be missed completely where the product was applied unevenly or simply not applied at all. To help prevent issues related to quality control, those operating the machines must take the time to check their work as they go along and ensure that all areas have been sufficiently covered with the right amount of product.
Conclusion
While hydroseeding has several advantages, there are also a few disadvantages to consider. Hydroseeding is more expensive than other options, such as sod installation.
It can be difficult to find a qualified contractor since the machine required for hydroseeding is specialized. In addition, if you live in an area with animals that like to eat grass seed (rabbits, deer, etc.), they may be attracted to your newly seeded lawn and cause damage.
Overall, hydroseeding is a great option for those who want a beautiful lawn without the hassle of dealing with seeds or sod installation. However, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision.
