Passing through new construction, you may have noticed an odd greenish-grey-coloured coating, alongside the road.
What is that weird-looking stuff? And why is it there?
The answer is – hydroseeding – a mix of grass seed, mulch, fertilizer, water and a few ingredients to make all that stick together. (The mulch is coloured with a natural and biodegradable green dye to help see where the product has been applied.) This concoction is sprayed on newly excavated or filled slopes to give them a head start to re-vegetation.
The special slurry forms a blanket on bare soil, protecting the soil from erosion and runoff, and holding the seed in place until it gets growing. The seed is a specially designed mix that is unappetizing to wildlife (animals grazing roadside can mean danger for both them and vehicles), grows quickly and forms a healthy root mass. Hydroseeding is a preferable to other erosion control techniques like traditional broadcasting or sowing of dry seed, because the mulch and tackifier (binding ingredient) hold the soil together while the seed is growing.
It’s important to keep sediment and debris from running into streams, creeks, lakes and the ocean. Vegetation beside highways is also critical to absorb some of the moisture from rain, snow and ice, which could undermine and damage the road base.
Another method we use to prevent erosion and revegetate bare earth are erosion control blankets. Seed is first distributed on the soil, and then the long fibre mats are manually rolled out on top, and staked to the ground. This method is used in areas prone to slope erosion, or when there are environmental concerns that heavy rains could transport sediment into sensitive areas.
Each year, we cover more than a thousand hectares with hydroseeding, as part of our construction and maintenance projects. For example, hydroseeding was sprayed on about 20 hectares alongside the Malahat Highway, on southern Vancouver Island, in spring and fall 2017, and fall 2018.
In 2018, we also invested in hydroseeding on roadsides in the Southern Interior that were impacted by wildfires, to help prevent erosion and stop invasive plants from taking root. Across BC, hydroseeding is part of protecting water quality and sensitive ecosystems next to our highways, as well as halting the spread of invasive plants.
So, the next time that you see slopes looking like they’ve been slathered with off-putting hospital-green colour paint, know that the area will soon transform to good-looking ground cover. As the grass grows, weird green will give way to verdant natural beauty that protects ecosystems and highways.
Do you have a question about the work we do? Ask us on Tell TranBC.
Can I get some of this hydroseeding stuff?
Hi there – we encourage you to google hyrdoseeding in your local community to look for a service provider. Hope this is helpful!
Does hydroseeding work on sandy soil in central Florida and does it need watered everyday for 30 days to germinate
Hi there, Roy. We can’t say how the seed will perform in southern climates, such as Florida. We encourage you to reach out to a local company in the US to chat further about it. Hope this is helpful.
Does weird hydro seeding kills weeds and and you can have a green yard
Hi there Ted – thanks for your question. Unfortunately, we aren’t the experts in the green stuff exactly – we have just shared our story on how and why we use it along BC highways. If you have questions regarding personal use of the spray in your yard – we encourage you to reach out to a local hydro seed company to see if they can help you. Hope that this information is helpful. Good luck!
Where do you buy it
Hi, we cannot recommend any businesses. I suggest you do an Internet search for “hydroseeding suppliers.”
Well it seems like you haven’t got too many answers that are specific as per usual with any government agencies just your typical blah blah blah why even bother if people ask a question they expect a damn answer you should have all the ins and outs on your products slash whatever you’re doing maybe not 100% but at least more than 20 later
Hi there Dan – what question/answer are you looking for?
Would hydroseeding be effective in the Sahara?
Hi Nick – thanks for your question. Unfortunately, we are not the experts on the topic. Perhaps you could research efforts to restore local ecosystems in the Sahara (if that’s even a thing?).
I am wanting to know the exact ingredients of this. My concerns are:
Is the seed itself treated – as is often the case these days – with anything? Many companies are now using treated seeds and soil for plants.
What are the “other ingredients”? I would like to know the specific chemical contents, as well as the source of such items as “fertilizer” and “mulch” and “coloring.”
Too often companies glide over the actual ingredients and the users assume they are safe because they are told they are, so concerned buyers need to have access to the specific contents and the contents’ specifics.
Thanks
Hello Anonymous,
We understand your concern. Our Environmental Management team and all of our highway maintenance contractors are required to follow ministry guidelines. Here is a link to our Environmental Best Practices (Vol 2), which speaks to seeding practices (specifically SECTION 757
REVEGETATION SEEDING)
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/driving-and-transportation/transportation-infrastructure/engineering-standards-and-guidelines/highway-specifications/volume_2_ss2020.pdf
We hope that this is helpful.
Does hydroseeding,if splashed on existing trees harm the trees?
Hi there Judy – as the mix (or slurry) is comprised of water, seed and fertilizer – the only side effect might be the growth of grass where it wasn’t intended (on the tree for example). Hope this is helpful!
Is it only available to commercial accounts or can individuals purchase it. Where can you buy it?
Great question Morley – unfortunately we don’t have that information available as we hire contractors for this service. We suggest you conduct a google search for hydroseed in your area and reach out to those business who offer it locally for more information. Hope this is helpful!
Can any of these sprays be a concern for a child or person with Asthma when driving though during spraying?
Hi there LT. Thanks for your question. A quick google search indicates that the application shouldn’t cause any concerns. Our contractors are also required to follow our environmental best practices, to reduce any harmful impacts to the environment during their work. The application is wet when applied and the slurry is made to stay in place once applied. If you are concerned, we encourage you to make sure your windows are rolled up if you drive through an area. We hope that this information is helpful.
I would appreciate your advise on the best grass to plant in the north east of p.a. that will discourage wild animal from destroying my lawn along with some shrubs. Thanks
Hi there Winston – thanks for your comment. Unfortunately, we aren’t the experts in types of grass to plant in your area. We are the ministry responsible for transportation in British Columbia. That being said, we are certain that someone in your local area (perhaps a garden centre) would be able to give you some tips on this topic. Good luck!
Where can I get that stuff?
Good question, Nancy! If you look it up via Google, you should be able to find a company local to you who can do it!
No flag people? Contractors…..
Good morning Shirley – thanks for your comment. Are you asking if there were flaggers on site during this activity? I believe the road was not yet open at the time.
Also cool is that the mix is custom for different regions of. In their construction contracts, the Ministry will require a “Kootenay mix”, for example, and direct you to their Standard Specifications for Construction.
Great point – thank you Grainger!
Someone doing the hydro-seeding has used a concoction with Spear Grass seeds – now all dog owners must beware the huge vet costs when removing those spears from dog noses/skin, etc.
Please check – Do Not Use Speargrass in your sprays, please.
Hi Lawrence,
Thanks to alerting us to this situation.
We’d greatly appreciate if you could let us know where you saw the speargrass growing among hydroseed.
Thanks!
It’s been used for a long time. My Dad was on the hydroseed crew for Parks Canada in the 1970s.
The green color is strictly for application purposes and usually the color fades away quickly when exposed to the sun. Though I do agree it could be a bit closer to the real thing.
Both Emil Anderson Construction and the Ministry were fantastic to work with. The 2017-18 Malahat Upgrade was a great start for our new much larger capacity Hydroseed unit.
Any further questions or your interested in having hydroseed done on a project big or small. http://www.islandirrigation.ca
How do we get on your contractors list. Thanks.
Fred
Grassmaster
Hi Fred,
Thanks for asking about contract work with us.
I recommend that you monitor BC Bid. Also a lot of hydroseeding work is done through subcontracts with the larger construction companies, so you may want to reach out to them, as well.
I just wish a less obviously artificial and sickly shade of dye was used!