Hydroseeding in Albany, NY

Hydroseeding in Albany starts with figuring out which Albany your yard sits in. The city's interior is rolling ground that was once part of the Albany Pine Bush, and its soil is dry and sandy, left behind by the ancient Lake Albany. Down by the Hudson, the land drops to within a few feet of sea level. A seed mix and watering plan that works on a sandy uptown lot can fail on a heavy, wet lot near the river, so we look before we quote.

Sand drains fast, and seed dries out

On the sandy ground the city sits on, water moves through the soil quickly. That is good for drainage and bad for a new lawn, because the top half inch can dry out in an afternoon in July. Hydroseeding helps here: the wood or paper fiber mulch in the slurry holds moisture against the seed. On the sandiest yards we often suggest adding topsoil or compost before seeding, and we set up a watering schedule that is short and frequent for the first few weeks.

Two hardiness zones in one city

Albany is listed as zone 6a near downtown and the river and 5b at its western end. The difference is small, but it shows up in late fall seedings. On the colder west side we push to get grass in earlier in September so it roots before the ground freezes.

Small yards, tight access

Many city lots have no room for a skid steer. A hydroseeding hose can reach a backyard from the street, over a fence or down a narrow side path, which makes it a practical way to reseed a yard after sewer work, a fence job or a new patio.

Slopes and buried creeks

Several of Albany's old creeks, including the Beaver Kill and the Rutten Kill, were diverted underground in the 1800s. Low spots in some neighborhoods still collect water. Where a yard pitches toward a house or a neighbor, we fix the grade first and use erosion control blankets on the steeper banks.

Get a free estimate or call (518) 690-6268.