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Hydro-Seeding & Hydro-Mulching: Definitions and Application Rates
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Articles, Technical Information, & Feedback
Hydro-Seeding & Hydro-Mulching: Definitions and Application Rates |
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Three Ways to Plant an Acre with a TurfMaker ® 430 The following three pages detail different ways to apply mulch, seed, fertilizer, and Slicky Sticky (a soil amendment that also works as a soil stabilizer) to one acre with a TurfMaker® 430. The amount of seed and fertilizer applied to the acre remains the same for each of the three scenarios. The only thing that changes is the quantity and quality of the mulch, and the addition of tackifiers. These three examples provide insight as to how differently a job can be done. There are certainly instances when the cheapest job is the appropriate job. However, when providing the service of planting lawns and turf grass for a premium lawn, the costs of sod is the only real competition, and the very ultimate, premium hydro-mulching job can be provided for much less than the costs of sod. A premium mulch application, that is well cared for, will produce Sod Quality Results nearly every time. Each of the three following pages define materials usage and their approximate costs. Note the increase in application time and costs when more mulch is applied because it takes more tank loads to apply more mulch! Scenario 1: Low Mulch Rate - No Tackifier - $780 Costs per Acre This scenario describes an inexpensive application requiring a total of 6 tank loads of application. This job can be done from start to finish in less than 3 hours. This type of application is common on highway jobs. It is not too likely that this application will yield a full stand suitable for a home lawn. Scenario 2: Moderate Mulch Rate - With Tackifier - $1,451.88 Costs per Acre This application details a much better mulch application. But, this mulch application is not good enough to provide significant moisture retention and protection from the hot sun when daytime temperatures consistently exceed 90 degrees. This application will take about 4 hours. This application is used on landscaping jobs where reliable results are demanded. With good watering, and the absence of heavy rains, this application will provide Sod Quality Results. Scenario 3: Hot Weather Mulch Rate - With Dual Tackifier - $2,190.00 Costs per Acre
Low Mulch Rate - No Tackifier - $780 Costs per Acre Hydro-seeding an Acre with 6 Tank Loads using the TurfMaker® 430 (Coverage per Tank Load: Approximately 7,250 Sq. Ft. - Paper Mulch Applied at 1,500 lbs per Acre.) Approximate Materials Cost Materials Used Per Tank Load: 5 bags (50 lbs ea) Paper Mulch (250 lbs) $35.00 Seed - Assume seed costs of $5.00 per 1,000 sq ft for this illustration ......$35.00 75 lbs balanced fertilizer (13-13-13, 10-20-10 or similar) .. ..$10.00 Materials Cost per Tank Load............................................................................$80.00 Materials Cost per Square Foot..............................................................................1.1’ Materials Cost per Acre....................................................................................$480.00 Approximate Contractor Applications Cost The following assumptions were made regarding contractor operations costs:
Based on these assumptions, applications costs are about $50 per tank load. Application Costs per Tank Load...........................................................................$50.00 Application Costs per Square Foot................................................................................7’ Application Costs per Acre....................................................................................$300.00 Summary of Total Applications Costs Total Cost Per Tank Load......................................................................................$130.00 Total Cost Per Square Foot..........................................................................................1.8’ Total Cost Per Acre................................................................................................$780.00 Analysis of the Effectiveness of the Application This is a low cost method of distributing seed and some mulch. The probability of this application yielding a nice stand of grass is heavily reliant on care and watering. Note that the site will likely experience serious erosion with only moderate rain.
Moderate Mulch Rate - With Tackifier - $1,451.88 Costs per Acre Hydro-seeding an Acre with 11 ½ Tank Loads using the TurfMaker® 430 (Coverage per Tank Load: Approximately 3,780 Sq. Ft. - Wood Mulch Applied at 2,000 lbs per Acre. ) Approximate Materials Cost Materials Used Per Tank Load: 3.5 bags100% Wood Mulch (wood - 175 lbs) . $38.50 Seed - Assume seed costs of $5.00 per 1,000 sq ft for this illustration ..... ..$19.00 75 lbs balanced fertilizer (13-13-13, 10-20-10 or similar) .... ...$7.50 1½ lbs Slicky Sticky .. ...$11.25 Materials Cost per Tank Load.................................................................................$76.25 Materials Cost per Square Foot......................................................................................2’ Materials Cost per Acre.........................................................................................$876.88 Approximate Contractor Applications Cost The following assumptions were made regarding contractor operations costs:
Application Costs per Tank Load...........................................................................$50.00 Application Costs per Square Foot.............................................................................1.3’ Application Costs per Acre....................................................................................$575.00 Summary of Total Applications Costs Total Cost Per Tank Load......................................................................................$126.25 Total Cost Per Square Foot..........................................................................................3.3’ Total Cost Per Acre..............................................................................................$1451.88 Analysis of the Effectiveness of the Application This mulching application provides good mulch protection. The probability of this application making a stand of grass requires reasonable care and watering during hot and dry periods. During cooler times, less watering will be required. This application will stand up to moderate rainfall.
Hot Weather Mulch Rate - With Dual Tackifier - $2,110.00 Costs per Acre Hydro-seeding an Acre with 17 Tank Loads using the TurfMaker® 430 (Coverage per Tank Load: Approximately 2,560 Sq. Ft. - Wood Mulch Applied at 3,000 lbs per Acre.) Approximate Materials Cost Materials Used Per Tank Load: 3.5 bags 100% Wood Mulch with Tackifier (wood - 175 lbs) ... ...$47.50 Seed - Assume seed costs of $5.00 per 1,000 sq ft for this illustration ......$12.50 75 lbs balanced fertilizer (13-13-13, 10-20-10 or similar) ......$7.50 1½ lbs Slicky Sticky ....$11.25 Materials Cost per Tank Load $78.75 Materials Cost per Square Foot ...3.1’ Materials Cost per Acre ..$1,340.00 Approximate Contractor Applications Cost The following assumptions were made regarding contractor operations costs:
Application Costs per Tank Load ...$50.00 Application Costs per Square Foot ... ..1.9’ Application Costs per Acre $850.00 Summary of Total Applications Costs Total Cost Per Tank Load ..$128.75 Total Cost Per Square Foot .5’ Total Cost Per Acre .$2,190.00 Analysis of the Effectiveness of the Application This application provides excellent mulch protection. An excellent stand of grass is highly probable. This application will stand up to heavy rainfall, and provides for significant retention of soil moisture. The erosion resistance and moisture retention with this mulch treatment is far superior to little or no mulch. This application is ideal for home lawn installations when "sod quality results" are demanded.
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| [Three Different Ways to Make a Mulch Application] |