Hydroseeding and Artificial grass are the most popular options among homeowners. If you own a lawn, you are familiar with the dilemma of natural versus artificial.
Well, we’re here to help you decide which option is best suited to your lifestyle.
When it comes to lawn installation, how much maintenance you’re willing to do can be a deciding factor. Natural grass lawns typically require high maintenance. From weeding to mowing and watering, it gives you a beautiful lush green garden, making every effort worth it.
On the other hand, artificial turf requires a lot less maintenance. For this reason, artificial grass is the preferred choice for those people who need an easy, quick-fix solution.
However, with a high upfront one-time cost for installation, it will last you a long time. Also, once you install the artificial grass, you don’t have to bother about mowing or watering.
But if you’re constructing a new house or have plenty of time on hand, hydroseeding is a much more affordable option. Many DIY home renovators prefer a seeded hydro lawn.
Still can’t decide? Let’s dig a little deeper and understand what each option entails.
Hydroseeding is a planting process where you spray the slurry of seed and mulch over the lawn. The mixture often contains nutrients and fertilizers to encourage and boost the growth of grass. It is more economical and faster in comparison to sod installation.
To begin the process of installation, you need to prepare the planting area and mix all ingredients in a hydroseeder. Now, aim the seeder’s hose over the soil surface, and water the lawn. While spraying the seed mixture, take care, and avoid spraying the seeds in your garden bed.
Here, you don’t have to buy rolls of full-grown grass from a landscaping company and then cut it to size. You calculate the hydroseed needed based on you’re the acreage of your lawn. The nutrient-rich slurry is then spread evenly across the yard. The process takes a lot less time if you hire hydroseeding professionals and equipment.
Now let’s look at artificial grass installation.
If you want a perfect lawn without the hustle of maintaining one, synthetic grass may the solution you’ve been looking.
Imagine having a well maintained green garden without the nuances of watering and weeding. Doesn’t that sound like bliss?
Artificial turf is synthetic grass made from nylon, polyethylene, or polypropylene. The rolls of artificial grass have colored filaments threaded into a backing that allows water to seep through. Before installing the synthetic turf, we lay down the drainage and fasten it along the perimeter with the help of carpet stretching. This prevents the turf from flying loose.
These kinds of lawns require low maintenance and little water for washing out the turf. For these reasons, many homeowners in the US are switching to artificial turfs as it saves them time, money, water, and all without breaking their backs. It is very versatile and can be used anywhere from lawns, and children play areas to rooftops and dog run areas.
Now that we’ve looked at both options, let’s see which is better for your lawn. For this, we will compare hydroseeding with artificial grass installation on several parameters below to help you make the right decision.
Parameters |
Hydroseeding |
Artificial Grass |
| Budget | Costs less | Costs a bit more on average |
| Maintenance | High | Very Low |
| Results | Takes time to grow a lush green lawn | Immediately gives you a picture-perfect lawn |
| Quality | Good quality grass | High-quality industry turf |
| Variety | Many options | High-quality options |
| Soil Erosion | Prevents soil erosion | No need to worry about soil erosion |
| Season | Should be planted in specific seasons for best results | You can plant any season! |
| DIY-Friendly | Suitable for DIY homeowners | Requires professional landscaping experts to get the job done right! |
| Weeds | Chances of weed growth | Blocks weeds! |
Before you decide which option fits your budget, lifestyle, and needs, let’s look at how much does a new lawn cost in each option.
Artificial grass installation has a considerable upfront one-time cost of about $5 to around $20 per square foot. However, once installed, it is virtually free for the next 15 to 20 years. And in about seven years, you can save enough on maintenance to recover the initial cost of installing artificial turf.
On the other hand, hydroseeding can cost anywhere between $500 to $5,000 per square foot of lawn depending on the quality of seed and slurry used. Since you have to hire a particular hydroseeding truck and hose to spray the nutrient-rich manure, it can be a little costly. However, as the grassroots develop, it creates a deep root system to help prevent soil erosion. Thus, this is a more environmentally friendly option.
Based in California, Courts and Greens have 26 years of experience in professional lawn installations. From residential to commercial, we can help you design, plan, and install your dream backyard and lawns. For more information, call 661-585-4602 or contact us today to set up your free consultation!
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