How to care for your newly hydroseeded lawn

You've just made the smart choice by having your lawn area hydroseeded! Getting it to grow and become established is almost as easy as watching the crew and the hydroseeding truck with the machine apply that green mulch, seed, fertilizer and tackifier to your lawn area.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. The most important item is the watering process. Your hydroseeded area must be kept damp to moist at all times. The easiest way is to have a good irrigation system with 100% coverage and a timer which will allow you to irrigate 4 times per day for short periods of time. Approximate watering times are 8:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Stations with popup spray heads should be set to water approximately 3 to 5 minutes per time. Stations with larger heads should be set to water approximately 8 to 15 minutes per time.Wind and heat can take moisture from your hydroseeding rapidly, so time your system accordingly as the summer heat increases. After approximately 3 weeks depending on weather cut your watering times to once or twice a day.
2. Fertilize your new lawn after 3 to 4 weeks. Use an 18-10-10-7 or a 16-16-16 fertilizer at approximately 8 pounds of product per 1,000 square feet. Apply in 2 directions with a broadcast (spinner) spreader. Water heavily to dissolve the pellets. Fertilize 4 times per year.
3. Mow your new lawn when the grasses reach approximately 3 inches. Mow to about 1-1/2" in spring and fall, and about 2" to 2-1/2" in summer heat. Higher mowing in heat will preserve moisture and cause less visual mowing damage.

Tips & Warnings

• Easy to remember fertilizing dates - Easter, Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day
• Keep blades sharp to minimize leaf stress
• As your turf becomes established, water for longer periods with less frequency, letting it dry out for a day or two between watering. This encourages deep root systems
• Do not use a weed and feed product until you have mowed your lawn 4 or 5 times
• Avoid excessive standing water and flooding
• Catch your clippings. Clippings can create excessive thatch