Millstone Landscapes
Hydroseeding
Millstone Landscapes provides commercial hydroseeding services for development sites, slopes and open spaces across Southern England.
Commercial landscaping since 1992
Illustrative landscape photography
What we do
What Is Hydroseeding?
Hydroseeding allows seed to be applied within a liquid mixture containing cellulose fibre, tackifier and slow-release fertiliser. This helps create suitable conditions for germination while avoiding the need to move heavy equipment across freshly seeded areas.
Hydroseeding is a method of applying seed within a sprayed liquid mixture rather than relying on conventional dry seeding methods.
On Millstone projects, the mixture includes cellulose fibre manufactured from wood-pulp material, together with seed, tackifier and slow-release fertiliser. The cellulose fibre is dyed green to help with application and to provide an immediate visual indication of coverage.
Once applied, the fibres form a blanket over the surface of the soil.
This layer is absorbent and helps create a favourable microclimate around the seed during germination. After germination, the cellulose fibres biodegrade into the soil and add organic material to the soil structure.
Scope & approach
The right approach for your site.
Explore the service in more detail, or speak to our team about your requirements.
How the Hydroseeding Process Works
The hydroseeding mixture combines several components within a liquid application.
Seed
The seed forms the basis of the new grassed or planted area.
Cellulose Fibre
Wood-pulp cellulose fibres create a protective layer over the soil surface after application.
This layer helps retain moisture around the seed and provides conditions that support germination.
Tackifier
A tackifier is incorporated into the hydroseeding mixture to help the applied material remain on the soil surface.
This is particularly relevant when hydroseeding is being used on sloping ground.
Slow-Release Fertiliser
Slow-release fertilisers are also added to the liquid mixture to encourage growth after germination.
The complete mixture is then sprayed across the prepared area to provide consistent coverage.
Hydroseeding for Slopes
Hydroseeding can be particularly useful where conventional seeding methods would be more difficult to carry out.
Millstone Landscapes' existing project examples include hydroseeding on a steep slope and future open-space area within a new development.
Spraying the mixture allows seed and fibre to be applied across sloping ground without the same requirement for machinery to travel repeatedly over the newly seeded surface.
This makes hydroseeding relevant for developments containing banks, slopes and other areas where access needs to be considered carefully.
Hydroseeding for Development Sites and Open Spaces
Hydroseeding can also be incorporated into larger commercial landscaping schemes.
Millstone has used hydroseeding within residential development and infrastructure projects. At St Mary's Park in Felpham, for example, large areas alongside a new relief road were hydroseeded to create wildflower meadows as part of wider landscaping works.
This demonstrates how the technique can be used alongside planting and wider landscape construction rather than being treated purely as a stand-alone service.
Potential applications within Millstone's existing project experience include:
- New residential developments
- Future public open spaces
- Large grassed areas
- Sloping ground
- Roadside landscaping
- Wildflower meadow establishment
Reduced Ground Disturbance During Seeding
One of the key advantages identified by Millstone is that hydroseeding does not require heavy equipment to be moved across newly seeded areas.
This can help avoid problems associated with soil rutting and compaction after ground preparation.
Where an area has already been graded or prepared for seeding, reducing subsequent vehicle movements can therefore be particularly useful.
The mixture is applied from suitable equipment rather than requiring machinery to travel continuously over the seeded surface.
Supporting Seed Germination
The cellulose fibre layer plays an important role after application.
Once sprayed onto the ground, the fibres create an absorbent covering over the soil surface. This helps provide the grass seed with the conditions needed for germination.
The green dye within the cellulose fibre also assists during application by making the treated area visible.
After the seed has germinated, the cellulose fibres biodegrade into the soil rather than remaining as a permanent surface layer.
Slow-release fertilisers within the mixture then help promote subsequent growth.
Hydroseeding as Part of a Wider Landscaping Scheme
Hydroseeding is most useful when considered alongside the wider preparation and landscaping of the site.
Millstone Landscapes also provides commercial landscaping services including:
- Site preparation
- Soil preparation
- Seeding
- Planting
- Landscape construction
- Commercial landscape maintenance
This allows hydroseeding to form part of a broader landscape programme where required.
For example, a development may involve grading and preparation of the ground before hydroseeding, followed by ongoing landscape maintenance after establishment.
Explore Commercial Landscaping
Hydroseeding or Conventional Seeding?
The appropriate method depends on the individual site.
Conventional seeding may remain suitable for many straightforward grassed areas. Hydroseeding becomes particularly useful where the shape, scale or accessibility of the site makes sprayed application advantageous.
Relevant considerations can include:
- The size of the area
- Ground levels and slopes
- Access for machinery
- Existing soil preparation
- The intended type of seeded area
- How the hydroseeded area fits into the wider landscape scheme
Our team can review the requirements of the site and discuss whether hydroseeding is appropriate for the work involved.
Hydroseeding Experience on Commercial Developments
Millstone Landscapes specialises in commercial landscaping and has worked on developments and infrastructure schemes throughout Southern England.
Our previous hydroseeding work forms part of wider projects involving ground preparation, planting and landscape construction.
At St Mary's Park in Felpham, hydroseeding was carried out alongside the planting of more than 200,000 whips on a new relief-road project. Large areas were hydroseeded to establish wildflower meadows as part of the completed landscaping.
This type of project demonstrates how hydroseeding can be integrated into substantial commercial landscaping schemes.
Hydroseeding Across Southern England
Millstone Landscapes operates across the southern counties of:
Sussex | Hampshire | Berkshire | Surrey | Wiltshire
With operations in Chichester and Andover, we support developers, contractors and commercial clients across the South Coast and surrounding southern counties.
Hydroseeding can be provided as an individual specialist service or incorporated into a wider commercial landscaping project.
Let’s talk
Your next project starts here.
If you are considering hydroseeding for a development, slope, open space or larger landscaped area, speak to Millstone Landscapes about the site.
We can discuss the ground conditions, proposed area and wider landscaping requirements before determining the appropriate approach.