What Is Hydro Feeding Grass?

Process

• A large hose is used to spread fertilizer, compost tea or other mixtures evenly across a lawn or garden. Organic ingredients are often used, such as fish emulsion, liquid seaweed or compost tea (compost mixed with water). Homeowners may apply the fertilizer on a monthly basis, or more often depending on amount used. Larger sprayers may be appropriate for lawns, while small sprayers are used for gardens. Many companies provide hydro feeding as a service and may reapply a few times a year to maintain a lawn.

Benefits

• There are a number of purported benefits of hydro feeding, according to those companies that provide the service, as well as growers who apply it themselves. The ingredients in hydro-feed preparations are usually organic, so there is less risk of burning the grass from over-fertilization. The liquid is sprayed more evenly and absorbed more quickly by plants than conventional techniques. Many commercial formulas for hydro feeding are safe for all plants, including trees and delicate flowers. Hydro-feed sprayers offer much faster application rates than traditional methods and allow the homeowner to mix their own formula, such as compost tea, if they are using their own sprayer. The organic substances in many such applications replenish the soil in addition to feeding the plants.

Uses

• Hydro feeding is the recommended approach for any large landscape in need of occasional nutrient boosts. Use the process on a lawn that is establishing, whether it was planted as sod or hydro-seeded. Apply to established shrubs, trees, turf or vegetable gardens to boost the vigor of these plants. Extensive areas in need of organic applications for upkeep, such as golf courses, orchards, vineyards, arboretums, gardens, schools and home landscapes, are ideal areas to use the technique.

Hydro Seeding

• Hydro seeding is similar to hydro feeding and is often offered by the same companies and specialists, who use large tanks connected to sprayers to distribute formulas. Hydro seeding formulas contain grass seeds along with fertilizer, water and mulch. These are sprayed on a prepared bed. The mulch helps the seed bond to the soil and protects them as they germinate. This process has another benefit: adding organic substances to the soil as the mulch breaks down. Like hydro feeding, the process is much quicker than traditional methods. Hydro seeding applications are often followed up with hydro feeding to provide a consistent organic and thoroughly well-maintained lawn.