What is hydroseeding and how does it help wildflowers grow?
Wildflower meadows are a vital part of the British ecosystem, providing a bounty of pollen, habitats and food for wildlife and bugs. However, they are in severe danger due to intensive farming and development. It is estimated that since the 1930s, 97% of British wildflower meadows have been destroyed, a shocking figure. This bears a large proportion of the responsibility for the severe decline in wildlife such as bees and butterflies, who play a vital role in the world’s food supply and overall ecosystem. With so many pollinators and different species of insects relying so heavily on wildflower meadows to survive, it is of vital importance that we start to replant and care for these natural wildlife hubs.
Fortunately, hydroseeding can play a large role in reinstating wildflower meadows. While previously time consuming and expensive to replant, hydroseeding offers a cost and time effective alternative with better results. We believe this will not only encourage landowners and councils to invest in creating wildflower meadows again but prove that hydroseeding can revolutionise the way seeding is used.
What is hydroseeding?
Hydroseeding is a highly sustainable planting process that uses a slurry of seed and mulch for a variety of different effects, from erosion control to planting large areas of lawn. The slurry is sprayed on the designated area with high pressure using a hose or tower, creating an ideal environment for seed germination. Plants will begin to grow within a week, and will be fully established within 3-4 weeks.
What is a wildflower meadow?
A wildflower meadow is an area of land that is sowed with flowering plants and left to flourish with minimal interference, making it a haven for wildlife and a brilliant alternative to manicured gardens. You can choose between a perennial meadow which flowers throughout the year and survives well on poor quality soil or an annual meadow that will flower once a year and require richer soil. It is best to sow a wildflower meadow during March – April or September, depending on your soil type and selected seeds. As professional hydroseeders, we will be able to advise you on when best to plant your meadow. Wildflower meadows require very little upkeep, have huge environmental benefits, and provide the opportunity to reintroduce native species of flowers that may have died out, making them an ideal option for neglected land and nature reserves.
How does hydroseeding help create wildflower meadows?
Once you have chosen your seed mix of the wildflowers you wish to see grow, it can be mixed with the mulch and sprayed over the desired area. Planting a wildflower meadow using the hydroseeding method means that large areas can be planted very quickly (particularly in contrast to hand sowing!), there is a higher chance of the seed germinating successfully, and it provides a highly accurate spread rate. Also, by embedding the seeds in the mulch there is significantly less chance of them blowing away or being disturbed before they have chance to take root. It is also cheaper, less time-consuming than manual labour and provides far superior results.
A Recent Example…
Just earlier this year, Truro in Cornwall made the news when they acted on a council project to plant more areas of wildflowers along the A390 into the city. Over 2 kilometres of the main road’s central reservation was cast with native wildflower seeds using hydroseeding, an initiative that will hopefully be adopted by more councils moving towards greener towns and cities.