Land Re-Vegetation & Restoration Services
Restoring vegetation to areas disturbed by construction is a requirement for most projects. But – growing grass isn’t always so easy. It takes more than planting seed. Factors beyond project control affect re-vegetation: extreme heat or cold, poor soil fertility, too much or too little water, planting the wrong seeds at the wrong time in the wrong place, – it’s a long list.
Geosource is a leader in large-scale land reclamation. We address tough growing conditions with expertise and experience. From highways to uranium mine closures, Geosource grows grass over thousands of acres every year.
Seedbed Preparation/Soil Cultivation
Growing any plant successfully starts with soil fertility and seedbed preparation – and that takes the right tools for the right job. Chisel plows, offset disc plows, spring tooth harrows, roto-tillers, chain harrows, rippers – all designed for specific purposes. We know what to use and why.
Seeding and Planting Services
- Drill SeedingDrill seeding is the best way to plant most grass seeds. Drill seeders are designed to plant grass seeds; they accurately meter and culti-pack two sizes of seeds in one pass.
- Hydro-mulch Seeding Hydromulch seeding mixes water, seed, fibers, tackifiers, and fertilizers (if specified) into a “mulch” that is sprayed onto the seedbed. This seeding method helps protect the seed from washing and bird depredation. Hydromulch seeding is an excellent solution for seeding areas for slopes, channels, or other terrain that cannot be drill seeded.
- Broadcast SeedingBroadcast seeding is a simple but effective way to plant many seeds. However, application rates and coverage are difficult to monitor. Broadcast seeding only works with same size seeds; multiple seeds require multiple passes.
- Grass Turf Sodding Sodding is simply the fastest way to establish turf.Our minimum size for sodding services is 50,000 square feet.
- Grass Sprigging Sprigging is also a fast way to establish turf over large areas. Seedbed preparation for sprigging is essential. Sprigging requires irrigation with a lot of water. Irrigation systems must be in place prior to sprigging.The minimum size for sprigging services is 10 acres.
Compost Manufactured Topsoil (CMT)
Many soils disturbed by construction activities do not have sufficient fertility to nurture strong stands of grass. Importing topsoil can help, but the fact is that most “topsoils” are not true topsoils; they are pit dug subsoils with little or no natural fertility (i.e. organic matter).
Incorporating compost into any soil builds fertility. Compost adds the organic matter necessary for soil life, adds nutrients, and buffers high and low pH soils.
Success in growing grass with compost amended soil has led the Texas Department of Transportation, (TxDOT) the U.S. Army Corps. Of Engineers (USACE), and other state, federal, county, and municipal to require compost in their revegetation programs.
Geosource has long been a leader in using compost to amend soils. Geosource pioneered the use of compost fn TxDOT projects and other public projects.
Soil Retention Blanket
Soil retention blankets protect the seedbed from erosion and birds.
SRBs can be rolled blankets or hydraulically applied products like Flexterra
Hay Mulching
Hay mulching is an inexpensive way to put a protective cover over large areas of land. Hay mulching conserves moisture, shades tiny grasses, and provides a conduit for soil moisture penetration.
Hay or straw is chopped and blown over prepared seeded or sprigged soil. The hay is then crimped to the ground, or held in place with hydraulic tackifiers.
Rock Picking
Rock picking is available for large acreage or pastures only. Many project specifications have size limits on rocks left in the seedbed. We can remove rocks from 2-1/2” minus to 1”.
Vegetative Watering
Biomass Fuel
Current market conditions have largely suspended the economic use of biomass as a fuel. However, biomass will be an important part of renewable energy in the future. With literally millions of acres of mesquite and cedar trees, Texas is the Saudi Arabia of biomass. Through years of practice and study we have developed the means to process and harvest large quantities of biomass. If you have an interest in these field, please call us. Learn More.
Grinding Services
Recent Project
San Antonio River Channel Improvement Project
This extensive project in San Antonio, Texas was designed to restore the San Antonio River to its natural beauty with native plants and grasses. Geosource was the contractor charged with amending the soil with compost, and establishing the river bank with native grasses.