Grenfell -
For Grenfell residents who want to improve their lawns and possibly save a bundle at the same time, Open Sky Landscaping has begun using the method of hydroseeding.
"It's a new venture we're trying out with our company," said owner Matthew Maier.
Maier explained in a nutshell the process that has had residents wondering what it is.
"Basically we take a green-colored wood mulch, mix it in with grass seed and fertilizer into a tank of water, mix it around then just take a hose into the yard and spray it onto the soil.
"The wood mulch basically acts to hold in the moisture longer, plus it acts as a carrier for the grass seed and the fertilizer."
According to Maier, there are a number of benefits to using the hydroseeding method, possibly the most universally appealing of which being the price compared to some other popular methods.
"You'll get the same quality as sod but at less than half the cost," Maier said.
Although the method is new to Open Sky Landscaping, it has been around for over half a century.
"It was actually invented in the '50's when they put the Interstate Highway through in the States, and they needed something to hold the soil back on the hillsides. So they invented this as an erosion-control method," Maier said.
"Then just because of the cost it's become more popular for residential use."
The hydroseeding method not only used to achieve new growth - it is also ideal for those wishing to improve their existing lawns.
"It's a method called overseeding and basically if you've got a lawn that's patchy or you've got a lot of bare spots, even from dogs, this is an easy way to seed it," Maier said.
He pointed out the benefits of hydroseeding compared to other popular methods.
"When you broadcast you sometimes get clumps of grass once it starts growing. Also if you get a heavy rainfall it can wash all your seed away. With (hydroseeding) it won't wash it away because it creates kind of a mat over the soil.
Another factor that makes it cost-effective is the moisture comes with it.
"You don't have to water it as much, because you do have the mulch holding in the moisture for long periods.
"With Broadcast you have to keep your soil moist all day long, so on a hot day you might have to water it two, three times. With this you usually have to water it just once a day."
According to Maier, the hydroseeding process also minimizes the effort required by lawn-owners.
"With broadcasting you have to do a lot more prep work. You have to spread it out, it's a lot more labor intensive."
"Comparing it to sod, there is the cost that is appealing. Also, sod you have to water very deep and it's also a very risky chance that it might not take root in the soil. That's a lot of money to risk.
"This is also the best thing for slopes because broadcast will wash away and sod, you have to steak it and all that, and it can wash away too. Hydroseeding won't, that's what it's meant for.
"For covering large areas and if you're wanting a nice-looking lawn, it's your best best."
Hydroseeding is also used for commercial spaces.
Open Sky Landscaping performs soft landscaping construction including trees and flowers as well as hard landscaping construction such as walkways and retaining walls.
They also install underground sprinkler systems, which are meant to be efficient and conserve water, as well as small tree and shrub care.
