Hydroseeding
Hydroseeding is the process of spraying a specially mixed slurry comprising of water, seed, hydromulch and nutrients in just one operation on to areas unsuitable for traditional seeding techniques.
A variety of different seed mixtures (grass, wildflower, tree & shrub, sedum) can all be applied with a wide range of hydromulch and additives such as binders and soil amendments to establish vegetation on even the most inhospitable of sites.
Seed Mixtures
Regardless of seed mix, we are able to work to the client’s specification or using the knowledge gained over the years, we can propose a suitable seed mixture that meets the requirements of our client if no spec is available
Soil Amendments
Additional additives to the hydroseed mix include organic fertilisers, biostimulants and trace elements. These provide valuable nutrients to the soil, creating the ideal growing environment to enhance germination and aid establishment whilst helping prevent disease.
Our long-term commitment to research and scientific collaboration with our partners has enabled us to play a major role in the development of the UK hydroseeding market.
Mycorrhizal Fungi
As standard, all our grass and wildflower seed mixes are treated with naturally occurring and beneficial fungi that develop a symbiotic relationship with the plant.
Topsoil can often be an afterthought on sites resulting in the depletion of much of the biology found in healthy soils, including mycorrhizal fungi.
When they co-exist, the mycorrhizal fungi make a significant difference to a plant’s ability to use soil nutrients.
They do this by forming a living web in and around the roots which act as extensions, expanding the root mass many times over so that more nutrients is brought back to the plant, promoting the establishment of healthy growth and offering resistance to stress.
Advantages Over Conventional Seeding
Hydroseeding is idea for areas that are too large, inaccessible or unsuitable for other conventional seeding methods and when results are required fast.
No matter how large or small the project, hydroseeding is an extremely cost effective and successful method of establishing new vegetation.
Wildflower Seeding
Wildflowers provide an annual display of colour whilst encouraging biodiversity that will provide an important habitat for insects, birds and other wildlife.
By applying our specialist knowledge we offer help and support to our clients, advising them on which mixtures fulfill their requirements and will meet their expectations, weather it’s a bright high impact annual mixture that will last for 1 growing season or a more natural appearing perennial wildflower mix that with the correct aftercare and maintenance will return year after year.
For more information please read our guides on wildflower hydroseeding and the differences between annual and perennial wild flora mixtures.
Tree & Shrub Hydroseeding
Substantial tree growth can be achieved within just a few years
A cost effective method of establishing trees and shrubs with a natural appearance on inaccessible locations that would otherwise be impossible to plant by hand. Seeds are added to the hydroseed mix usually with a protective nurse crop of low maintenance grasses and with minimum maintenance, substantial tree growth can be achieved within just a few years.
Over the years we have hydroseeded many sites using pioneer tree species to establish new woodlands on baron areas such as spoil heaps and landfills that were previously devoid of vegetation.
Hydroseeding with tree and shrub seed is an ideal method of preventing erosion and reducing ground subsidence on slopes and also creating a bio-diverse habitat that provides shelter for wildlife
Research and Development
Working in partnership with the University of Liverpool we have helped in the research and development of using hydroseeding as a successful method of establishing native woodlands over large areas that possess very little, if any soil.
Trials were undertaken in South East Wales and included sites containing colliery waste and other inert material that would otherwise have remained barren, with the areas being monitored over several years this helped us fully understand the requirements needed to gain the best results.
Erosion Control
The critical implications of this important aspect are fully understood by us and using our hydroseeding techniques as the basis, we are able to apply tried and tested soft engineering solutions as a credible alternative to some traditional hard-armour products;
High Performance Hydromulch
A cost effective erosion control solutions, these act as a spray applied ECB (erosion control blanket) that cover the slope’s micro contours, giving 100% coverage and immediate surface protection. Using a variety of different high performance hydromulch, time and labour associated with the installation of traditional erosion control methods is massively reduced. Other benefits include:
- Protection on extreme slopes, effective on gradients up <0.25:1
- Excellent erosion control with upto 99% effectiveness in multiple laboratory test
- Bonds directly with soil upon application
- Perfect for dormant hydroseeding, with long term protection during dry conditions
- Quicker establishment of new vegetation
- Reduces soil loss caused by runoff
- 100% biodegradable, manufactured from recycled wood fibres
- Environmentally friendly, non-toxic and safe for sensitive environments
- Interlocking thermally treated fibres increase bonding, providing immediate slope protection
HBRS
Developed by ourselves, HBRS is an economical and effective method of providing further stabilisation to embankments prone to surface erosion.
Combining ECBs manufactured from sustainably sourced natural materials with hydromulch and organic binding agents, HBRS prevents surface erosion until the grass sward and root structure has become established.
Due to its flexibility it follows the undulations and contours of the slope, whilst its weave absorbs the impact of heavy rainfall and reduces runoff velocity instead of directly hitting the soil and causing surface erosion.
Within 12-18 months of installing HBRS, the deep root structure is binding the soil together and the ECB is decomposing whilst providing nutrients to the surrounding plant life.
The light brown colour and organic makeup of the natural fibres mean it is more aesthetically pleasing and eco-friendly than other erosion control methods.
Soft-Armour Systems - Armadillo SA
An effective alternative to some traditional hard-armour erosion control methods, Armadillo SA offers a cost efficient way of protecting steep slopes and areas with high discharge waterways.
Providing permanent protection, the open 3D matrix of the TRM (turf reinforcement matting) is infilled with a specialist high performance hydromulch that binds seeds and the soil together to give instant erosion control whilst offering conditions that promote rapid seed germination by creating an environment that allows the seeded area to absorb and retain moisture more effectively.
As with all our soft-armour systems, they offer much greater erosion control compared to standard hydroseeding techniques and improved establishment of new vegetation.
Fibre Glass Reinforcement
On steep slopes prone to surface erosion, fibre glass rovings are floated onto the area with compressed air to create a matrix of fine fibres. The matrix is then hydroseeded using 100% wood fibre hydro-mulch and additional binding agents, once the new vegetation has established the fibre glass fibres become an integral part of the root structure giving permanent protection from erosion.
Biotic Soil Amendments
Biotic soil amendments are designed to build soil conditions that improve the rate of seed germination and plant growth eliminating the need for importing expensive topsoil
Healthy soil is imperative for the establishment and support of plant growth. On many sites soil left for re-vegetation is often severely degraded, lacking many of the essential organic, nutrient and microbial properties needed to establish growth. Specially blended soil amendments made from organic materials, micronutrients and active mycorrhizal inoculants help soil come alive so that vegetation can thrive even on areas with very little or extremely poor soils and reducing the need for extensive and long term erosion control measures.
Developed so that project owners and engineers can use a product that first amends the soil with the right combination of organic material, micronutrients and growth stimulants. Spray applied prior to hydroseeding, the idea is to fix the soil like the growers and agronomists do and achieve vegetation that would otherwise be too difficult to achieve without having to import expensive topsoil.
Biotic soil amendments reduce costs by saving and materials where the cost of topsoil is prohibitive
- Can be used on challenging sites where topsoil placement is impractical
- A sustainable sourced product
- Reduces the need for importing fresh soil
- Restores existing, depleted soil that are already on site
- Can be used on slopes and other erosion control projects