What is Hydroseeding? - Benefits and procedure

Undoubtedly day by day agriculture is growing, improving its techniques and increasing its efficiency. Hydroseeding is one of the most revolutionary and modern techniques that have emerged in recent years. It is a type of herbaceous planting technique that has certain advantages over traditional manual or tractor application methods.

In this article we will try to clarify the fundamental concepts of hydroseeding, the benefits of its application and the general guidelines in the process of this type of sowing.

What is hydroseeding?

Hydroseeding consists of spraying an aqueous mixture of seeds, mulch, fertilizers and adherent substances on the soil. The liquid is mechanically propelled by a pumping system and projected by a hose.

Its main characteristic is the homogeneous and fast distribution of the seeds throughout the territory. In this way, the locations of the crops can be established in a much more efficient way to optimize the correct use of the soil. This is how producers also benefit, since by taking much more advantage of the territory, it is possible to increase production per unit area.

It is used in the environmental restoration of slopes of mines, quarries, tailings and in slopes of roads, highways or railways. It is not only useful in soil-type terrain, but it can also be used in rocky terrain, after placing a plastic or geotextile mesh. The function of this mesh is to support the plant substrate, on which the seeds will germinate, on slopes with steep slopes.

Benefits of hydroseeding

If we have to mention the main benefits that the use of this seeding system brings, we must mention the following points:

1. Vegetation develops between 20 and 25% faster than any other form of plantation.
2. Both seeds and fertilizers are evenly distributed.
3. The mulch ensures favorable conditions for rapid germination.
4. The steep slopes of the slopes are not an impediment for this seeding system, something very difficult to achieve with traditional systems.
5. Certain types of mulches are capable of providing, by themselves, temporary protection against erosion (Hydromantas).
6. It is possible to repopulate high-altitude areas on difficult-to-access slopes with vegetation.

As you may have noticed, there are many advantages to this type of planting, and I'm sure I'm forgetting some.

Hydroseeding procedure

To carry out hydroseeding, it is necessary to have a company specialized in this type of service, hydroseeding companies have specialized equipment and machinery to carry out the process.

First, an evaluation of the land is carried out to determine the conditions in which it is located and to define the mixture of seeds and other materials that will be used. Then, the preparation of the land is carried out, which includes the removal of obstacles, leveling and adaptation of the surface

Once the land is ready, the mixture of seeds, water and other materials is applied using specialized spray equipment that distributes the mixture evenly. It is important that the amount of water and the pressure are adequate to achieve even and adequate coverage.

After the application, the growth process of the plants is followed up and monitored, and maintenance tasks are carried out to ensure the success of the revegetation.

Results comparison

Hydroseeding is a relatively new technique compared to traditional seeding systems such as hand seeding or mechanical seeders. Although both methods aim to achieve adequate plant cover in a field, there are some significant differences in terms of the results that can be obtained.

Firstly, hydroseeding allows greater precision in the distribution of seeds and other materials. The application is carried out with specialized equipment that allows a uniform distribution of the mixture, which ensures a higher density of plants per surface unit and a more homogeneous coverage.

On the other hand, hydroseeding offers greater protection of the seeds and the materials used. The mixture is applied on a layer of substrate that protects the seeds from wind, rain and other adverse climatic factors that may affect their germination. In addition, the mixture of seeds and other materials used in hydroseeding are usually specific for each type of terrain, which allows a greater adaptation and resistance of the plants to the environmental conditions of the place.

On the other hand, traditional sowing systems require greater manual and mechanical intervention, which increases the cost and time required for sowing. Also, seed distribution is not always uniform, which can result in lower plant density and less homogeneous ground cover.