“Seeding” may seem like just another item number to deal with on a bid form or the last task mentioned in a scope of work, but it is what makes us the greenest of the “go green” industries. Land Rehab was “green” before green was so cool!

Revegetation is key to:

• minimizing impervious surface area
• superior soil stabilization (erosion control) and bio-filtration
• public relations
• successfully filing your CGP Notice of Termination (NOT)
• ethical environmental stewardship

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Custom Drill Seeding

We take a great deal of pride in providing a native result that not only keeps you compliant but that is aesthetically pleasing and will provide years of continued growth.

We work closely with local agencies such as the NRCS, engineers, landscape architects, and our favorite specialty seed company to formulate the best custom seed mix that will:

• match existing vegetation
• provide the best short and long term erosion control
• thrive in existing soil and climate conditions
• restore cover and habitat for indigenous animals and pollinators

Native Grasses
Wetland Species
Wildflower and Forbs

We also provide stock seed mixes from our Colorado Springs office at 310 S 25th Street (google map)

Drill seeding is by far the best method for a great seeding application. We know that for the best possible result the seed needs to have contact with the soil. Drill seeding accomplishes this by utilizing an implement that digs a shallow furrow, drops seed into the furrow at a specified rate and then covers the furrow. The result is rows of seedlings that should be left to grow WITHOUT mowing for at least one season to allow the plants to develop a seed head and reseed themselves… giving you more bang- for-your-buck!

These are pictures of a test plot (2003) for a section of gas pipeline where we did not utilize any soil amendments, fertilizers, imported topsoil or a protective mulch layer over the drill seeded plot. The native seed germinated within 14 days. This was a great result for this test but a little risky for most locations in Colorado where added nutrients, organic matter, and a protective mulch layer are usually highly recommended.

  

Mulching

Mulching after the seed application is important for two key reasons:

• Moisture retention
• Prevention of soil erosion by wind and rain drop action on newly seeded and unstable soils.

Mulching can be accomplished by one of three common methods:

• Mechanically – by blowing straw or hay and then “crimping” the material into the soil
  
• Hydraulically – by spraying various materials mixed with water over the seeded area
  
• Soil Retention Blanket – physically rolled out and anchored over seed area
  

Hydro-seeding

Hydro-seeding is accomplished just like the hydro-mulching process shown above except that the seed is not previously installed in the soil but mixed in the slurry that is being sprayed. This method is not ideal in this part of the country and almost always results in failure with a native application. There are times when there is no other way to place the seed, such as on severe slopes, rocky or other areas inaccessible to conventional equipement.

Hydro-seeding can be successful for a turf type (lawn) application that has either temporary or permanent irrigation where the installation can be kept moist continuously through germination to vigorous root establishment.

The problem with this type of seeding method is that the seed is suspended in the mulch mixture with little or no soil contact and unless kept moist, the mulch mixture dries out with the seed entombed.

It is unfortunate that since hydro-seeding is done as a cheap one step process with high failure rates, many agencies have disallowed the hydro-mulching process confused by the difference between the two.

Soil

The first step to any successful revegetation application is understanding the medium you are working with.

Check out Soil Basics 101. There are 10 lessons and if you are really into it… test your knowledge after the Summary section!

Anything and everything you could possible want to know about soil can be found on the Wiki page for Soil. Don’t get lost there though, make sure you come back!

Contact us if you are interested in information about soil testing or soil improving products that we recommend.