Hydroseeding in Valley, NE

Hydroseeding in Valley means planting on the bottom of a river valley. The town was laid out in 1864, when it was certain the Union Pacific transcontinental railroad would reach the spot, and it was named for the Platte River valley. That setting gives most lots in and around town level ground, soil with a fair amount of sand in it, and a water table that can sit close to the surface.

Water close by

Of Valley's 3.62 square miles, about 0.06 square miles is water. Low lots near ponds and lakes can stay wet for days after a heavy rain. We shape the grade to carry water off the foundation toward a planned outlet. Where a lot backs onto water, a strip of erosion control blanket along the shoreline holds the bank while grass roots in, and silt fence during construction keeps the pond from turning brown.

Sandy soil needs a different start

Sandy river-valley soil warms up early in spring and drains well, which helps seed germinate. It also dries out and loses nutrients quickly. We add starter fertilizer to the hydroseed tank, and on very sandy spots we may suggest a layer of topsoil or compost. The hydromulch blanket is especially useful here because it holds moisture right at the seed.

The weather office is in town

Valley is home to the National Weather Service office that covers parts of eastern Nebraska and southwestern Iowa. The violent April 2024 tornado touched down near the Platte River in western Douglas County and crossed the Elkhorn River southeast of Waterloo. Severe spring storms are part of life here, which is one more reason to seed in late summer when possible, or to use a tackified mulch that resists heavy rain in spring.

Where we work around Valley

New homes on lake lots, acreages on former farm ground and the school grounds of the Douglas County West district, formed in 2005 by merging the Waterloo and Valley schools, all need turf. On larger acreages we can seed a mowed lawn near the house and a lower-input grass on outer areas.

Get a free estimate or call (402) 704-4105 about your Valley property.