Hydromulching is a process where a mixture of seed, fertiliser, mulch, binder and water are sprayed on a site to produce vegetation.

Suitability

Revegetation Contractors recommend hydromulching for sites with limited access for machinery. It is particularly suited to re-vegetating steep banks such as road batters and the awkward slopes of creeks and drains. Specific binders are added to the slurry to ensure the mixture adheres to the slope.

Site Preparation

Before applying the hydromulch, Revegetation Contractors recommends that a soil test be conducted. A rough planting surface improves water infiltration, and this may be achieved by scarifying the surface with a comb blade on a grader.

It is recommended that sites requiring immediate growth be watered to achieve a saturated profile before hydromulching. Additional watering regimes will be designed to meet evaporation and transpiration levels.

Maintenance / Irrigation

If maintenance work such as irrigation is necessary it should be set up prior to the mulch being sprayed. The irrigation should be designed to apply the water evenly without eroding the mulch. Applying a suitable maintenance fertiliser to the site after six weeks will provide the greatest vegetation cover.

Benefits

Hydromulching ensures the soil surface is offered immediate protection whilst providing an ideal environment for vegetation growth. The mulch mix protects the seed from the sun as well as holding moisture around the seed to increase the percentage of germination. Hydromulching can be applied to sites up to 300 metres away from vehicle access.