Hydro-Mulching for Sod Quality Results

By James A. Lincoln

   Please Note: Mr. Lincoln is respected throughout the world as an expert in the HydroMulching industry. I spoke with him several years ago at the International Erosion Control Association's Annual Conference. When I mentioned our philosophy of doing it right the first time, he excused himself and returned a few minutes later with the following article. It is reproduced here with his permission.

   The process of laying sod almost always results in 100% grass coverage with no soil erosion. Sod Quality Results means 100% growing grass with 100% coverage, assuming proper watering.

   Hydro-seeding is a grass planting process used for planting grass on highway construction and mine reclamation sites. Hydro-seeding, for these applications, is usually considered successful if grass grows on 65%- 75% of the area. Total initial coverage is almost never expected. Mulch usage and application techniques are targeted to cover a lot of area quickly and inexpensively. It's not uncommon to see hydro-seeding priced at 2 to 3 cents a square foot (18 to 27 cents a square yard). Today, hydro-seeding applications hardly ever produce Sod Quality Results.

There is a way to get Sod Quality Results.

   Hydro-seeding began to be used for planting lawns and other landscaped grassed areas during the 1960's. However, the "hydro-seeding" practices for those applications during the 1960's and 1970's were quite different than what is known today as "hydro-seeding". When the contractor was responsible for producing sod quality results, it was common practice to make "premium mulch applications". "Premium mulch applications" consisted of wood fiber mulch applied at rates from 50 pounds to 75 pounds per 1,000 square feet, and included using a tackifier.

   In the mid 1970's, in Dallas, Texas, the process was called "hydro-mulching" and became the grass planting process most homeowners raved about. "Hydro-mulching" yielded sod quality results most of the time, and the buyers of this new grass planting process enjoyed saving hundreds of dollars on even small areas. Partial failures were almost always caused by poor watering. What happened to the phenomenal business of hydro-mulching? What's the difference between "hydro-seeding", as we know it today, and "hydro-mulching", as it was known then?

Hydro-Mulching or Hydro-Seeding

   Beginning about 1980, the quality of work began to deteriorate. Buyers were always pushing for a lower price. Contractors, competing with each other, had to do work cheaper to get the jobs. The simple way to cut costs was to use cheaper mulch and less mulch. Using less mulch was very easy to do by simply covering more area with each tank load of material. (Stretching a load and using just a little less mulch is not visibly noticeable.) Because these changes in mulching practices occurred over time, even the contractors did not realize that their results were gradually becoming less reliable.

An applicator can easily "stretch a load" by adding some extra seed and covering more area with one tank load of material. A tank load that covers twice as much area results in using half as much mulch. It also results in cutting labor and overhead allocations in half, because it only takes half as long to complete any application. Since seed costs are usually not a major cost item, the impact of this "stretching the load" reduces the costs of the job dramatically.

   The gradual deterioration continued into the 1990's with the practice of covering more and more area with less and less mulch. In the early 1990s, even new machines were introduced with instructions advocating covering 4,000 square feet with 100 pounds of paper mulch. This is simply a process of broadcast seeding, using water as a carrying agent. This is truly "hydro-seeding".

   Hydro-seeding, with less mulch, certainly has its place in the grass planting industry .It is an excellent way to get even coverage and distribution of tiny grass seeds, which are sometimes impossible to plant any other way. It is an excellent way to plant large areas quickly. In many circumstances, it is absolutely necessary to plant grass the least expensive way with the realization that the grass may not grow, and that full coverage is not highly likely. But hydro-seeding with a thin mulch application can not and should not be represented as a process that will produce highly reliable results and sod quality results.

   The distinction must be made between thin-mulch "hydro-seeding" and premium-mulch application "hydro-mulching". Typical commercial hydro-seeding during the 1990's consisted of thin mulch applications. This practice provided unreliable, and frequently unacceptable results in landscaping applications where full coverage of grass was desired. This "hydro-seeding" was not producing sod quality results. Because of these poor results, some cities passed ordinances prohibiting hydro-seeding on lawn areas of newly constructed homes.

History can Provide Insight as to What is Possible

   In the 1970's, contractors delivering sod quality results were in the service business. They provided a service which took time and effort. The application of materials was a part of the overall service. But the service was to produce a quality stand of grass.

1. They applied 100% wood fiber mulch at 50-75 lbs per 1,000 sq. ft.
2. They never sprayed from a tower and always used a premium tackifier on every job.
3. They would not do a job if the property owner could not water properly.
4. They would make sure the property owner knew what watering was necessary.
5. They followed up to verify that proper watering was taking place.
6. They took extra care to do whatever was necessary to avoid erosion on problem areas.
7. They repaired any erosion damage immediately should any occur due to heavy rains.
8. They instructed the property owner to fertilize the lawn after the first mowing.
9. They followed up to verify that the fertilization occurred or did it themselves.

   Today, a few astute contractors are producing sod quality results. Note though, that these contractors are charging much higher prices than their "thin-mulch" counterparts. Much higher prices are necessary to cover the costs of time. And, these contractors know that they are providing a service, which has a product as the end result of their service. In the service business, the costs of time is far more significant than the costs of materials. This is certainly true when producing sod quality results on home lawns.

   It is possible today to sell sod quality results for higher prices because customers are smarter. First, the American consumer is learning that "thin mulch" applications yield problems, not results. Second, many people realize that if two seemingly similar contractors bid very different prices, there will probably be a difference in the service and the end result.

   Everyone certainly enjoys saving 25%-40% on the cost of anything. The property owner needing sod quality results will pay 15 to 20 cents a square foot ($1.35- $1.80 a square yard) for an installed premium lawn, regardless of the method of installation. Any hydro-mulching contractor can make the necessary premium mulch application, provide the necessary customer service, and get sod quality results. Priced at 15 to 20 cents per square foot, exceptional profits are available to the contractor who delivers sod quality results. And yet, this is an exceptional value, saving the customer hundreds of dollars. It is an incredible match.

   Solid sodding usually requires significant watering. Hydro-seeding or hydro-mulching, that is to result in a good stand of grass, always requires more attentive watering than solid sod. In very hot times, close attention must be paid to intense watering. It may be necessary to water three or four times a day for a few days. This intense watering is easier than it was 25 years ago, because many more homes have sprinkler systems now. This makes the business of "hydro-mulching" for sod quality results even more appealing. Yes, it will be necessary to monitor the system. The timers cannot be set and forgotten. Yes, it will be necessary to fill in the spots that don't get watered adequately. Very few sprinkler systems provide total coverage and even distribution. But, well instructed homeowners can do this easily, and are almost always quite willing. When they are saving hundreds of dollars, they want to help. In many cases, this very close attention to the watering only lasts for little more than a week or 10 days. However, with some grasses at certain times of the year, close attention to the watering may be necessary for as long as three weeks.

   Offering sod quality results at a price of 1/2 to 2/3 the costs of sod will attract a lot of business. It is an easy sell, once the customer has the confidence that he will be getting the desired results. This confidence is built with many job site successes and the reputation that goes with those successes. It takes time to build this reputation. But, referral business will follow, and referrals are the sweetest business of all.

   Sometimes the supreme challenge will be the customer who does not appreciate the fact that "hydro-mulching" for sod quality results is not the same as common "hydro-seeding". With this prospect, it is tough to sell the premium product when a competitor is spraying colored water for 1/3 - 1/4 the price. A good reputation, a strong referral, and good salesmanship may all be necessary to win this customer.

   Grass Better than Sod for the Customer!

   Solid sodding produces "instant results". In some cases, instant grass is important and sometimes even necessary .But sadly, the customer is paying a price more than he realizes for the benefit of instant grass. For many customers, the long term quality of their lawn is far more important than the instant lawn. But many people are unaware of the fact that a professionally hydro-mulched turf will likely provide a number of benefits over a sodded lawn. The higher price paid for a sodded lawn is not only in initial dollars, a sodded lawn may be a lesser quality grass and the turf may be unhealthy and result in future problems.

   First, sod growers seldom use the seed of premium grass varieties. Therefore, typical sod is almost always common or non-proprietary varieties of grass. However, hydro-mulching for sod quality results should always contain the latest and most premium varieties of grass seed. In most cases, premium seed will add no more than about ten cents a square yard to the materials costs. This benefit is a major reason and selling point for the customer to choose "premium" hydro-mulching over sod.

   Second, a smooth finished lawn can be established much easier and quicker with hydro-mulching. If the surface is smooth just prior to application, the grass will grow in smooth and even. It is usually not necessary to roll a well prepared and hydro-mulched lawn. Solid sodding usually results in an uneven surface, requiring rolling and top dressing. A finished smooth lawn will usually take longer with sod than with hydro-mulching.

   Third, solid sodding often results in two different soil layers that the grass must grow in. The roots of the plant will sometimes remain in the upper layer. When this occurs, the turf has little drought resistance and is more susceptible to disease and insects. This is an unhealthy growing condition for grass. Grass growing from the hydro-mulching process grows in the soil at the site.

   And finally, hydro-mulching applications with premium seed are virtually weed free. However, weed seed is present in most any soil, and when the watering begins, weeds will likely grow. So, any grass planting process is likely to result in some weeds. Almost all sod has a weed or two. Cheap sod is often loaded with weeds. Solid sodding can sometimes present a major weed problem.

  The reality is, that compared to sod, premium professional hydro-mulching will result in a more beautiful, useable, and more healthy lawn in 30 days or less. This short waiting period is a small sacrifice for getting the long term benefits of a better lawn and saving hundreds of dollars.

Successful Innovators Frequently Earn Exceptional Profits

   Premium professional hydro-mulching for sod quality results can be very profitable. A contractor who establishes a reputation for delivering premium results will likely develop a good and profitable business. It will take dedicated work, good salesmanship, and perseverance. But, monetary rewards are always exceptional to the innovator who can sell and deliver a premium product for less than the competition.

The Ultimate Realization!

   Any contractor selling and producing sod quality results must always keep in mind the fact that:

   The real competition is solid sod, not cheap "hydro-seeding".

Copyright 2000 James A. Lincoln
Reprinted with premission.

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