Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What’s the best time to plant a lawn in this area?
A: April to October is the best time to plant. The months of July and August get quite hot and require more watering so it’s best to have an irrigation (sprinkler) system if planting then. September and October get extremely busy so don’t delay too long.
". . . quality work . . . always on time and professional."
- Jerry Gibson
Gibson's Landscape & Design
Q: My soil is kind of sandy and rocky, will it grow grass?
A: In most cases yes, but the results won’t be as good as when 3-4 inches of topsoil is put down first. See Preparing for Hydroseeding for tips on optimizing your lawn for hydroseeing.
Q: Will I get weeds in my hydroseeding?
A: The materials Puget Sound Hydroseeding uses are certified to be weed free. Weeds in a new lawn can come from the existing soil, topsoil or sometimes blow in from the adjacent areas.
Q: Do I get a choice of seed for my lawn?
A: Choosing the best type of seed is a very important factor in producing a beautiful lawn. Certain grasses are best suited for the various climate regions of Washington and in Puget Sound, perennial ryegrasses do best in sunny areas and fescues grow well in shadier areas. We buy a custom mix of 70% perennial ryegrasses and 30% fescues and use this for most lawns. It’s what‘s called a “sun and shade mix” or a “Northwest blend”.
Q: Should I rototill my topsoil in with my existing soil?
A: We don’t encourage rototilling for two reasons: First, it’s a lot of very hard work for minimal benefit and secondly, you will bring up the rocks and poor soil that aren’t good for growing grass.
Q: How long does it take for hydroseed to grow?
A: It germinates very quickly and you usually are mowing within 4-6 weeks in the cooler spring / late fall months and 2-3 weeks in the summer. It requires sunshine and regular watering so growth rate is dependent on these working together.
Q: I’ve got lots of moss in my existing lawn, can you hydroseed over it to give me a nice new lawn?
A: Probably not the best plan until we get rid of the moss and change the conditions that caused moss to thrive. Moss likes shady, wet and acidic soil and just the opposite, grass likes sunlight and alkaline soil that has good drainage. Often nearby fir trees not only provide too much shade but they drop their needles which slowly change the ph of the soil to a acid condition. By applying dolomite lime once or twice a year, it will gradually raise the pH to encourage healthy grass and discourage moss. In shady conditions higher percentage of fescue grasses should be planted and regular overseeding is very important.
Removing trees is a major step but in many cases will help reduce the shady, wet and acidic conditions moss likes.
For more terrific tips for maintaining a wonderful lawn in Western Washington visit: http://gardening.wsu.edu/text/faqlawn.htm.