“Nothing was going to stop this homeowner from wanting grass as soon as possible.”
– Adam Grimmer, Owner of American Hydroseeding
While we don’t recommend hydroseeding your lawn in July, nothing was going to stop this Prescott, Wisconsin homeowner from turning their newly built home’s yard full of dirt and rock into a fully covered green lawn.
Not all homeowners or lawns are prepared to withstand the heat, but sometimes forces outside your control force you to get coverage on your lawn in the middle of July. This homeowner didn’t have an in-ground irrigation system, but what he did have was a work from home schedule and the determination to hand-water as often as it took. This homeowner understood the demands a summer hydroseeding lawn required, the risks associated and was prepared to move forward. All that was left was proper planning, preparation, the right seed and the determination of a homeowner committing to hand-water their hydroseeding for his Wisconsin lawn in July.
Curious If A Summer Hydroseed Lawn Is Right For You?
Are you considering hydroseeding your lawn during the summer months? If so, here are a few things you should know prior to scheduling.
New Construction Lawn, Why Some Homeowners Can’t Wait
You’ve selected the best lot, handpicked everything from the flooring to the fixtures and finally after all that waiting your new construction home is complete and ready to move in. You can sigh a breath of relief, right?
Except the outside is still a mess of uneven dirt, rock, weeds and is that construction debris blowing in the breeze? Not the warm welcome you envision, especially during the only few months of summer we Midwesterners see a year!
For one Prescott homeowner, their yard left much to be desired and after talking through the demands and risks associated with installing hydroseed in the summer, they were ready to make the investment.
Why Preparation Matters for Hydroseeding
We always recommend waiting until Spring or Fall to apply hydroseed to lawns, but in certain circumstances when conditions are right – you can hydroseed a yard and have it be successful. It comes down to proper preparation, that often begins long before the hydroseed mixture ever arrives to your home, as well as a consistent watering schedule.
Soil Preparation Before The Seed
This Prescott, Wisconsin home was built on a hill, overrun with weeds and soil erosion. Before we began, our team excavated the site to clear it of the weeds and debris and began to shape the yard. We then laser graded the entire site to dial in water runoff to one spot selected by the homeowner, away from the house. This step was critical to ensure proper drainage and minimize erosion. Lastly, we brought in over 75 yards of fresh black dirt for the final grade to prepare the site for hydroseed.
Does It Matter What Grass Seed You Use?
Yes, the mixture of seed chosen, especially in the summer months, is critical for the success and longevity of your hydroseed lawn. This homeowner asked for Adam’s top recommendation and based on the wants listed by the homeowner, such as wanting something that could establish fast, self-repair and withstand their family’s traffic on the lawn, they chose the Reinders 50/50 Mix.
This mix includes 50% elite Kentucky Bluegrass and 50% elite Perennial Ryegrass and is highly chosen for new lawns, athletic fields or residential properties that see high traffic use. This property also utilized unique cultivars to further boost the establishment and efficiency of the seed, including:
- Perennial Ryegrass: Aspire, Replicator
- Kentucky Bluegrass: Jackrabbit, Sombrero, Mercury
The last thing we did was address this homeowner’s biggest concern, the risk of erosion or runoff. As this property resides on a hill we had to ensure the mixture of seed and tackifier was applied thickly enough on the prepared soil to minimize the risk of runoff or erosion. At American Hydroseeding, our specialty is erosion-control (License #99-1377230). We were able to apply the hydroseed mixture to the hillside and have it hold the soil immediately reducing their washout risk.
The Reality of A Hydroseed Lawn in July
The secret to a successful summer hydroseeding application is water, water and more water. To know exactly how much, when and the risks associated with watering in high heat, read our watering guide.
Here’s the honest truth about hydroseeding a lawn in July, this homeowner worked from home and watered as much as he possibly could – yet it still wasn’t enough. A July lawn with no irrigation requires watering three to four times a day, every day, through the hottest stretch of the year. Even home all day, the July heat won.
“I watered as much as I could and understand us having to come back for more spraying.”
– The Prescott, Wisconsin Homeowner
This homeowner did everything within their power to keep their lawn watered, but the heat dried the surface faster than he could keep up and the seed in the most exposed areas never got the consistent moisture it needed to establish. This is why automation matters so much in the summer months. An irrigation system, or even a $30 hose timer, waters on a schedule whether you’re at home, at work or asleep.
The Real Results of Hydroseeding in July
This project began in mid-June, with the soil preparation happening before the hydroseed application on July 9th. By the end of July, the results tell the honest truth about the demands and risks of hydroseeding in July.
Much of the yard established, but the July heat did leave its mark with thin and patchy areas across the yard. And while some of that patchiness is our Bluegrass mix still establishing, most of it was because of the summer heat and not having enough moisture to establish.
Now in early August, we can see that an overseeding application is needed to fill the patchy spots. This will cost the homeowner, but an overseeding is cheaper than a full hydroseeding application and it’s a normal part of installing in summer. If you’re set on a summer hydroseeding application, make sure to budget for a possible second pass. It’s exactly why we recommend waiting for fall to apply hydroseed to your lawn, as the same yard, same prep and the same seed – installed in September, would most likely have come in properly the first time. In July, even doing everything right, the heat has the final say on the success of your lawn.
If you need to hydroseed in July, make sure you can commit to the demands of watering everyday, multiple times a day, throughout the hottest weeks of the year.
Looking to Hydroseed in Western Wisconsin?
American Hydroseeding is based in New Richmond, Wisconsin and proudly serves the western Wisconsin communities. From Prescott to Hudson, or River Falls all the way to Menomonie and beyond, talk to our erosion-control and seed selection specialist today!
What Seed Mix Is Best For My Yard?
Ask Adam about the right seed mix for your yard today. Call and get an instant quote in minutes!
Not Sure If Now’s The Right Time To Hydroseed?
Read our Summer Hydroseeding Guide to see if summer is the best time for you, your yard and your lifestyle.
Want To Get On The Schedule For Fall?
Hydroseeding in fall is often the best time, but don’t wait. Make sure you get your property prepped beforehand and on the schedule now!