I have a Project that is considering “Hydroseeding” as a permanent landscape design. The method is described as:
“ Hydroseeding in its simplest form is the application of seed by hydraulic process, in other words to apply seed with water as the means of spreading it. However, most hydroseeding applications use a mulch carrier which provides uniform mixing of the seed with the water, and provides other benefits once on the ground.
The mulch carrier can be composed of wood, paper, straw, coconut, synthetic, peatmoss, compost fibres or many different combinations of these.
These fibres are often dyed a green color to offer the hydroseeding applicator the advantage of a color contrast to the ground when spraying, this insures a uniform and even application of the product and seed. Often natural glues or tackifiers are added to the mix to provide better bonding between the soil particles and the mulch fibres, allowing the mulch layer to remain in place during wind and rain events.
The main advantage of hydroseeding over conventional seeding applications if the addition of a mulch layer to the soil. This mulch layer will act to provide protection from birds eating the newly applied seeds, wind from blowing the seed and soil away, retain moisture, and reduce the impact of splash erosion from rain drops and watering which can cause soil crusting, which inhibits plant growth.”
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I understand that Hydroseeding can contribute to avoid erosion, but my question is – If we can use it as a permanent landscape design, even if it considers color and glue. Many information sources, describes the method as a lower water consumption.
Can we use this method without any troubles with the credit?
Tristan Roberts
RepresentativeVermont House of Representatives
LEEDuser Expert
11478 thumbs up
November 4, 2013 - 9:15 pm
Jose, I would describe hydroseeding as a method for establishing a planted area (typically turf grass). This planting method itself does not define a permanent landscape design, so I would not rely on it for achieving low water use or native planting for credit compliance, etc.