HOW IT WORKS WATER SEED FERTILIZER MULCH OTHER ADDITIVES

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1 HYDROSEEDING Hydroseeding is the fastest, simplest, and most economical way of establishing vegetation (grass, wild flowers etc.) on bare soil surfaces for soil stabilization projects, slope and erosion control, dust control, re-vegetation and lots more. It is ideal for projects where soil erosion control is required in areas that are difficult to access. The technique is used extensively in the US and in Europe especially on road construction projects where soil erosion is a concern and the topography is difficult. Since hydroseeding involves spraying liquid seed using high powered sprayers it is much easier, faster, cheaper, and more reliable than conventional methods of planting grass.

2 HOW IT WORKS Hydroseeding involves spraying a mixture of water, seed, fertilizer and protective mulch which is mixed in a tank and power sprayed onto the ground. Depending on soil conditions and the availability of water etc., other agents to supercharge growth, and co polymers to aid in holding moisture in the soil are added. The first known hydroseeding unit was built in the US when the Interstate Highway System was started during the Eisenhower administration. There was a change in how roads were built and conventional seeding techniques could not seed the steep hillsides created by highway construction--hydro seeding was the answer. Something else happened too! People noticed the grass that was planted with hydroseeding grew faster and better and now hydroseeding is the preferred way to vegetate large areas like golf courses, farms, pathways, parks, landfills etc. What exactly is in the mix that is sprayed onto a hydro seeding job? WATER Water in the mix acts as a carrier, and the contact of the seed and the water will jump start the growth process. When extra fast germination is desired, it is also possible to pre-germinate seed for even faster growth. SEED Seed used in a hydro seeder doesn't need to be anything special. Nearly any seed can be used and at the same application rate as other seeding methods. These can include grass or lawn seeds, wildflowers, pasture seed, seed for athletic fields and seeds for erosion control such as crown vetch. FERTILIZER Fertilizer is usually used in the mix. A high phosphorus "starter" fertilizer that will stimulate root growth is the most commonly used MULCH Hydro seeding mulch is what gives it the green color. It does more than just make it pretty, it helps protect the seed, and to seal in moisture. It may be made from a paper or wood product or a mix. If any accidentally gets on your walkways, driveways or house, it will not stain and can be washed off, or will just disappear on it's own. OTHER ADDITIVES Other products that may be added to a hydroseeding mix are products called tackifers that help hold the materials on a hillside in rainy conditions. They also help seal moisture in to the soil and lubricate the machine. If the soil ph needs correction then a lime based product. Other products such as co-polymers that hold 400 times their weight in water and slowly release it as the moisture is needed, or growth stimulants which supercharge the growth and germination of the seeds. The resulting slurry which contains all these products is transported in large tanks on trucks or tractors and then sprayed on to the application areas using high powered sprayers.

3 Hydroseeding in India: Hydroseeding is a very new concept in India. Grass is still grown the conventional way by planting each sapling by hand a very laborious, time consuming and expensive job. Without a large amount of immediate and daily watering to ensure that the planted grass takes root, the results from such grassing techniques are poor. The solution is hydroseeding which is inexpensive, fast, and since the seeds are encased in a 'cocoon' of water and fertilizer, it germinates very quickly with little or no addition of water. Most Indian cities have a huge problem with dust. It is everywhere and makes everything in India look old and dirty. Grassing or paving of open dirt patches is a very simple and inexpensive solution to this problem. In most cities in the developed countries, there is very little problem with soil erosion because much of the bare land is either covered with grass or wild flowers, or paved. Hydroseeding, where grass seeds are sprayed in a water-mulch mixture over large areas, is a quick and inexpensive way to plant grass and prevent soil erosion and can be a very easy solution for dust in Indian cities. Once sprayed, the wet fiber mulch creates a bond to the soil and provides the seeds with a water-retaining blanketing coat while protecting it from sunlight, wind and erosion. As the grass seeds begin to germinate, the fiber mulch will slowly decompose adding nutrients to the soil. There are now special types of hybrid grasses that are available that are drought resistant and survive on very little water. It would be a very simple and inexpensive way to landscape and beautify an area and to reduce dust pollution by hydroseeding these barren areas with these drought resistance grasses. Our company imports the finest grass seeds from the US. These seeds are then combined with the finest biodegradable mulch to get the finest results possible. Our grass slurry is: Effective immediately upon application because it bonds directly to soil. Provides Superior erosion control from the time it is applied Excellent functional longevity that lasts through grow-in period Ideal for dormant seeding and long-term protection in arid climates Less soil preparation, faster lay down and lower installed cost than rolled blankets Faster vegetative establishment and greater biomass production than any rolled blanket or hydraulically applied mulch available Minimizes soil loss and turbidity of effluent runoff Is completely environmentally friendly and biodegrades into the soil within 3 weeks.

4 Cost of Hydroseeding: The cost of hydroseeding includes labour, cost of the seeds, cost of the mulch and tackifier which holds the mulch together, the fertilizer, and the water. Specialised equipment is needed to spray this slurry into the ground. Prior to the spraying of the seed+mulch+fertilizer slurry the ground has to be carefully prepared to allow the seed to penetrate into the soil to allow for quick germination. Hydroseeding is less expensive than using sod or carpet-grass. The cost is Rs. 16 per square foot., which means an entire acre of land can be grassed for about Rs. 6.3 lakhs. ADVANTAGES OF HYDROSEEDING Hydroseeding is now used extensively in the US and in other developed countries because of its many advantages: 1. Hydroseeded grass come up faster. The contact of the seed with water will trigger the germination cycle. Depending on the weather germination can often take place in less than 3 days compared to days using either sod or sowing seeds. 2. Since hydroseeding involves spraying seed that is encapsulated in a slurry of fertilizer the germination rate is very high. Also since the slurry holds moisture the need to water the ground immediately after spraying is eliminated greatly reducing water usage. 3. Hydroseeding can be done very quickly. It takes about one-third the time to hydroseed a lawn versus conventional methods. This significantly reduces the costs associated with planting grass, wild flowers etc. 4. Hydroseeding is now the preferred way of seeding large areas like golf courses, large farms, highway greening. It is fast, inexpensive, and has better results than conventional methods. 5. Since hydroseeding involves spraying seed into the ground it is very effective in planting grass in difficult areas steep slopes, hard to get areas under trees etc.

5 6. Green color is often added to the slurry which makes the ground appear more attractive than conventional seeding. 7. Hydroseeding mulch adds to the humus content of a lawn as it decomposes which in turn helps the grass grow after the first month. India's First Hydroseeding Company 3R Environmental Systems New Delhi info@3renviro.in Tel: