Post-Hydroseed Care: Guide to a Lush Lawn

Congratulations on your newly hydroseeded lawn! Hydroseeding is a fantastic way to establish a new lawn, combining seed, mulch, fertilizer, and soil amendments into a single slurry that promotes quick germination and uniform coverage. However, the success of your new lawn now depends heavily on the care it receives in the first few critical weeks.

The Golden Rule: Keep It Moist

The single most important factor in hydroseeding success is moisture. The mulch in the hydroseed mix will turn green when wet and lighter brown when dry. Do not let the seed dry out. If the seed germinates and then dries out, the seedling will die.

Weeks 1-3: Germination Phase

• Watering Frequency: Water 2-4 times a day.
• Duration: 10-20 minutes per zone. You want to keep the mulch consistently moist but avoid creating puddles or runoff.
• Timing: Water during daylight hours. Avoid watering late at night to prevent fungal diseases.
• Tip: On hot or windy days, you may need to water more frequently.

Weeks 4-6: Establishment Phase

Once the grass is about 1-2 inches tall, you can start to taper off the watering frequency but increase the depth.

• Watering Frequency: Reduce to once a day.
• Duration: Increase time to allow water to penetrate deeper into the soil (20-30 minutes).
• Goal: Encourage roots to chase the water down into the soil.

When to Mow

Patience is key. Do not rush the first mow.

• Wait until the grass is at least 3 to 3.5 inches tall.
• Make sure the ground is dry enough to support the mower without leaving ruts.
• Sharp Blades: Ensure your mower blades are sharp. Dull blades can tear the tender young grass.
• The 1/3 Rule: Never remove more than 1/3 of the grass blade height in a single mowing.

Fertilization

Your hydroseed application included a starter fertilizer that feeds the lawn for the first 3-4 weeks.

• First Feeding: Apply a balanced starter fertilizer about 30 days after hydroseeding.
• Avoid Weed & Feed: Do not use weed control products (herbicides) on a new lawn for at least 3-4 months (or after the 3rd or 4th mowing). Young grass is sensitive to chemicals.

Traffic Control

Keep foot traffic, pets, and children off the newly seeded area as much as possible for the first 4-6 weeks. The soil is soft, and the grass seedlings are fragile. Disturbance can disrupt rooting and create uneven surfaces.

Troubleshooting

Patchiness: It's normal for some areas to germinate faster than others due to shade, soil variance, or moisture levels. Continue your care routine, and slower areas should catch up.

Weeds: Some weeds may appear. This is common when soil is disturbed and watered frequently. Simply mow them down with the grass. Once the lawn is established (after 3-4 months), you can apply a selective herbicide if needed.