Hydroseeding is a cost-effective way to create a green lawn using a slurry of grass seeds, mulch, fertilizer, and other materials. Instead of seeding grass to make a turf, you can just spray the slurry, water it in, and wait for the growth to come.
One of the most commonly asked questions involving this process is how long can hydroseed go without water? We will answer this and recommend watering techniques so you can get the best results.
How Often Should You Water Hydroseed?
Hydroseed takes out the tediousness of seeding a lawn or yard by introducing an all-in-one solution. However, there is still one thing you need to do- keep the slurry nice and moist to encourage optimal germination (and a lush, green lawn in the end).
You should pay close attention to your hydro-seeded lawn the moment the slurry hits the ground. One of the requirements of hydroseeding is that it should always stay moist for the seeds to properly germinate. It is worth noting that grass seeds can take anywhere between 5 to 15 days, and as such you will need to water the ground frequently for that period of time.
Hydroseed will not survive if you do not water them for a day, or when they dry out. Grass seeds will need water in their first stages of growth, and the hydroseed more so. This becomes a bit trickier if you spray the slurry in adverse conditions, or when the weather is hot.
The bare minimum for the number of days to keep hydroseed moist is eleven days. If possible, continue watering until the seeds establish themselves and grow up to two inches in length. Then you can relax a bit and ease off on the regimen of heavy irrigation because the most difficult part is over.
How Long Can Hydroseed Go Without Water?
It is imperative that the hydroseed mix should always stay moist. For a newly hydro seeded lawn, provide constant irrigation for no less than 11 days.
Ideally, you should water your hydroseed lawn three times daily for around 10 to 15 minutes. This should be done in the early morning, late morning, and late afternoon. Keep in mind that watering in the evening is not recommended as it can introduce fungi into your lawn. Also, you shouldn’t overwater, or else it all pools up and the seeds will have washed away.
The idea is to keep the ground moist but not waterlogged. You may need to do some prep work beforehand, such as clearing out debris and tilling the soil to improve drainage for a greater chance of succeeding. Furthermore, you won’t need to water during rainfall, as it will do the work for you. Heavy rain can lead to erosion and wash away the slurry, so it is best to time the application so this won’t happen.
Additionally, you will need to adjust the frequency of watering depending on the climate and season. As with plants, you’ll want to water your hydro-seeded lawn more on hot summer days and less on cloudy and humid days.
The green dye that comes with hydroseed should wash out in about 5-10 days. As a word of caution, do not allow the mulch that came with the slurry to completely dry out. Do not give too much water either, or puddling and washout are more likely to occur.
How to Maintain a Hydroseed Lawn
The hydroseed will most likely come with a starter fertilizer to encourage growth in the first stages, which means you won’t need to feed your lawn until it is about six to eight weeks old. A balanced fertilizer ratio of 16-16-16 works best on hydroseed. Also, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid unnecessary lawn damage.
Mowing your hydroseeded lawn can be done 4 to 6 weeks after the seedlings appear. Or, you can wait until the grass is around two to three inches in length. The first mow should be set at a height of 1 to 1.5 inches. Before operating the lawn mower, check and see if the blades are sharp and if the speed is set to slow.
Water your hydro seeded lawn less after four to six weeks, and do not spray herbicides until after four months have passed.