Customers sometimes ask us: What is the best way to establish a new lawn?
In general, we walk them through a process that starts with good soil preparation, relies on hydroseeding to provide mulch, fertilizer, and other additives, and ends with proper watering and aftercare. But when conditions allow, there is another step we like to incorporate into that process: Brillion seeding, commonly referred to as drill seeding.
Rather than relying on the hydroseeder to deliver all of the seed, we start with a Brillion seeder to evenly meter the seed and press it firmly into contact with the soil, then apply hydromulch over the top. This extra step ensures the seed gets into better contact with the soil and results in better germination.
Explore how Brillion seeding works and when it makes sense to incorporate it into the process of establishing a new lawn.
Brillion seeding is a form of mechanical seeding that uses a precision seeder and cultipacker-style rollers to place grass seed into a prepared seedbed.
It is commonly referred to as drill seeding, although a Brillion seeder works somewhat differently from a traditional agricultural seed drill. A traditional drill generally opens a small furrow and places the seed into it. A Brillion seeder instead meters the seed onto the prepared soil and uses rollers to press the soil around it.
The Brillion Sure Stand Seeder has a seed box positioned between two notched rollers.
First, the larger front roller firms the seedbed and creates shallow indentations in the soil.
Next, the seed is metered from the seed box at a calibrated rate. As the seed falls, deflectors spread it across the full width of the machine.
Finally, the smaller rear roller passes over the seedbed. The notches on this rear roller split the indentations created by the front roller, squeezing soil around the seed. In this way, the seed is pressed into the soil at a depth of ⅛ of an inch. Not every seed ends up completely buried beneath the surface. But all of the seed is placed in contact with the soil.
The end result is the key: the right amount of seed, distributed evenly, placed at a consistent shallow depth, and pressed firmly into contact with the soil.
Grass seed sitting loose on top of the ground is exposed.
Wind can move it. Heavy rain can wash it around. Birds can eat it. The exposed surface can also dry out quickly.
Brillion seeding helps protect against these problems by pressing the seed into the seedbed and squeezing soil around it. The seed is less likely to move and more likely to remain where it was placed.
The surrounding soil also helps retain moisture and insulates the seed from the harsher conditions it would experience sitting completely exposed on the surface.
In our experience, that makes a Brillion-seeded lawn less dependent on supplemental irrigation. That does not mean it no longer needs water; grass seed still needs moisture to germinate and establish.
This is the biggest advantage.
Grass seed needs the right combination of moisture, temperature, and soil contact to germinate. Brillion seeding helps with one of the most important factors we can control: seed-to-soil contact. The seed is also placed at a consistent, shallow depth. It is not buried several inches underground, nor is it left sitting completely exposed on top.
Think about the consistency you see when a crop is planted in a farm field. Farmers achieve such high rates of germination, in part, by consistently planting their seed at the proper depth. Using a Brillion seeder provides the same consistency, but for establishing turf.
A Brillion seeder also gives us control over how much seed we apply.
The machine can be calibrated for the particular seed and desired application rate. As we travel across the site, it meters that seed consistently across the width of the machine. That helps prevent areas from receiving too little seed while other areas receive too much.
The result is more uniform coverage, better use of the seed, and less waste.
Brillion seeding is valuable by itself. But we think it becomes even more valuable when it is incorporated into the overall process of establishing a lawn. This is our recommended process for establishing a new lawn:
A good lawn starts with a good seedbed.
Hard-packed, uneven soil is not a good place to establish grass. Before we worry about putting seed down, we want to prepare the ground properly.
Depending on the site, we may use a Harley rake to break up and work the soil. We sometimes refer to this as “gilling” the ground. This loosens the surface while also helping us establish a smooth, consistent grade. We can also use a RockHound to remove rocks and other debris.
This step can make or break the project. Brillion seeding improves seed placement, but it cannot compensate for poor soil preparation.
Once the seedbed is ready, we attach the Brillion seeder to a tractor or skid steer. We load the appropriate seed, calibrate the machine for the desired application rate, and then travel across the area to provide consistent coverage.
This is where we gain the advantages discussed above: controlled seed distribution, consistent placement, and excellent seed-to-soil contact.
We also have a no-till Brillion seeder equipped with spike rollers that can perform some light soil preparation as it seeds. This can be useful for overseeding and can provide a more cost-effective alternative in certain situations. When establishing a completely new lawn, however, we prefer to prepare the seedbed properly first and then seed it as a separate step whenever the project allows.
After drill seeding, we bring in the hydroseeder.
At this point, the Brillion seeder has already delivered the grass seed. The primary purpose of the hydroseeder is now to apply a protective layer of hydromulch over the seeded area.
We will sometimes include a small amount of additional seed in the slurry as extra insurance, but the Brillion seeder has done the primary seeding.
The hydromulch forms a protective blanket over the seedbed. It helps retain moisture, hold the surface in place, and provide additional protection while the seed germinates.
It also gives us an efficient way to apply starter fertilizer, micronutrients, herbicide, and other additives when appropriate for the project. The mulch itself also provides a limited amount of nutrients as it breaks down.
In other words, Brillion seeding gives us excellent seed placement, while the hydromulch gives us additional protection, moisture retention, and amendments.
The seed still needs water. It needs appropriate fertilization as the grass becomes established. Traffic should be limited, and the new lawn needs to be cared for properly as it germinates and matures.
We are very confident in the process described above. But there is no magic lawn-establishment method that eliminates the need for proper aftercare by the owner.
All the work that goes into soil preparation, Brillion seeding, and hydromulching will mean very little if the seed is not given what it needs afterward.
This raises an obvious question: Do you really need both? No.
You can drill seed without hydromulching. You can hydroseed without drill seeding. We do both regularly.
But when the site and budget justify it, we like combining the two because each method brings something different to the process.
Yes.
Brillion seeding can be an excellent stand-alone method for establishing grass. The seed is distributed precisely, pressed into contact with the soil, and given many of the conditions it needs to germinate.
It can also be economical. For SGC projects, Brillion seeding by itself is generally about half the cost of hydroseeding, although actual pricing depends on the site and project. That can make drill seeding especially attractive on very large areas where the budget does not justify hydromulching the entire site.
So why add hydromulch?
Because drill seeding alone does not provide the protective blanket that mulch does. You also lose the ability to apply fertilizer and other amendments evenly as part of the hydroseed slurry. Brillion seeding handles seed placement very well. Hydromulch gives the seed added benefits that will help it grow.
Absolutely; we do it all the time.
Hydroseeding is one of our primary services and is an excellent way to establish turf. It combines seed, mulch, fertilizer, and other additives into one application. It is also especially valuable on slopes, difficult terrain, and areas where running seeding equipment across the ground is not practical. Hydromulch also provides erosion control and helps retain moisture while the grass becomes established.
The slight weakness of hydroseeding is seed placement.
With conventional hydroseeding, the grass seed is mixed into the slurry and sprayed onto the soil. That means the seed begins largely at the soil surface or within the mulch layer. There is seed-to-soil contact, but it is not mechanically pressed into the seedbed the way it is with a Brillion seeder.
That does not mean hydroseeding is ineffective. It works very well.
It simply means Brillion seeding can improve one particular part of the process: putting the seed directly in contact with the soil.
This is why, when conditions allow and getting the best possible establishment is the priority, we like using both.
The Brillion seeder handles the seed: precise rate, even distribution, consistent placement, excellent soil contact.
The hydroseeder handles the protective layer: mulch for a protective layer and moisture retention, fertilizer, herbicide, micronutrients, and other appropriate additives.
Neither method needs the other to work.
But together, they allow us to take advantage of the strengths of both.
We do not recommend adding Brillion seeding to every project. There are sites where it provides tremendous value and others where it simply is not practical.
Brillion seeding makes the most sense when we have enough open ground to operate a tractor or skid steer efficiently. Larger residential lawns, commercial sites, sports fields, and other large turf areas are natural fits. Brillion seeding also makes sense for roadside work, housing plats, and sites that require temporary seeding.
We especially like Brillion seeding when a new lawn will not have an irrigation system.
The lawn still needs rain or supplemental watering. But because the seed is pressed into the soil rather than left loose at the surface, we have found that it is more forgiving when constant irrigation is not available.
When we know watering will be a challenge, that added seed-to-soil contact becomes even more valuable.
Establishing a lawn is already a big investment. The site has been graded. Soil has been prepared. Seed itself is expensive. Equipment and labor are already on the project.
Sometimes it makes sense to spend a little more upfront to reduce the risk of having to come back and fix it later.
That is one reason we often recommend Brillion seeding on high-profile sites and athletic fields where the quality and consistency of the finished turf are especially important.
The biggest limitation is equipment access.
We need to be able to safely operate a tractor or skid steer across the area. Small or confined lawns may not justify bringing in that equipment.
Steep slopes are another obvious example. Driving a tractor and Brillion seeder across a steep slope may be impractical or unsafe. Those are also exactly the kinds of areas where hydromulch becomes particularly valuable because of its erosion-control properties.
Very wet or soft sites can also present problems if running equipment across them will rut the ground or damage the finished grade.
In those situations, conventional hydroseeding may be the better choice. On very small areas, hand seeding followed by light raking or a mulch application may make more sense.
The goal is not to use a Brillion seeder everywhere. The goal is to use the right process for the site.
We have incorporated Brillion seeding into a number of major projects.
One example is work associated with the expansion of Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, MI. In areas where conditions allowed, we have Brillion seeded first and then applied hydromulch over the top. It is a large, high-profile site where we want to give the turf every reasonable advantage from the start.
We have also used the same process recently on athletic fields, including football, soccer, and baseball fields across the state of Michigan.
Those are good examples of where the additional step makes sense: large open areas, significant investment in the finished site, and a strong reason to establish consistent turf the first time.
Brillion seeders can be rented, and for some projects that makes sense.
But renting the seeder is only one part of the equation. You still need a tractor or skid steer capable of operating it. The seedbed needs to be properly prepared. The seeder needs to be calibrated for the seed being used. You need to know the appropriate application rate and how to operate the machine so that the entire area receives consistent coverage.
For a smaller DIY project where you already have the necessary equipment and experience, renting may be a reasonable option.
For larger projects, hiring a contractor often makes more sense because the value is not simply having access to the Brillion seeder. It is being able to manage the entire process.
At Superior Groundcover, we have both the equipment and the experience to handle this process for you. We regularly prepare sites, Brillion seed large turf areas, and apply hydromulch on commercial, residential, and athletic-field projects. We know how to move through the process efficiently and what to watch for along the way.
We also bring the expertise needed to make the right decisions for the site. That includes evaluating whether Brillion seeding makes sense in the first place, selecting the right seed, determining the proper application rate, calibrating the equipment, and choosing the appropriate additives for the hydroseed slurry.
So instead of renting equipment and figuring out each step on your own, you can have one team handle the process from soil preparation through seeding and hydromulching.
Have a new lawn or large turf area to establish? Contact Superior Groundcover to discuss whether Brillion seeding, hydroseeding, or a combination of the two makes the most sense for your project. Offering Brillion seeding and hydroseeding across Michigan, our team can help you select the right approach for your site and establish a healthy, uniform stand of turf.
The terms are often used interchangeably, although a Brillion seeder works somewhat differently from a traditional agricultural seed drill.
A traditional drill generally opens a small furrow and places seed into it. A Brillion seeder instead meters seed onto the prepared soil and uses rollers to press the soil around the seed.
For turf establishment, however, Brillion seeding is commonly referred to as drill seeding.
Brillion seeding is especially useful on larger lawns, commercial properties, athletic fields, and other open areas where a tractor or skid steer can operate efficiently.
We also especially like Brillion seeding on projects without irrigation and on high-value projects where getting consistent turf establishment the first time is particularly important.
It is generally less practical on steep slopes, confined areas, or very wet sites where running equipment across the ground may be difficult or unsafe.
For many projects, yes.
Brillion seeding adds cost because it adds another step to the lawn-establishment process. But that additional step can improve seed-to-soil contact, seed placement, and overall germination.
Better germination can provide a strong long-term payoff. If more of the seed establishes successfully the first time, there may be less need to repair thin areas, reseed sections of the site, or repeat work later.
That is especially important on larger or high-value projects, where the cost of poor establishment can be much greater than the cost of adding Brillion seeding upfront.
When a site does not have irrigation, we especially like to incorporate Brillion seeding when conditions allow.
The Brillion seeder presses the seed into direct contact with the soil rather than leaving it loose on the surface. In our experience, this helps the seed retain access to moisture longer and makes the site less dependent on frequent supplemental watering.
For the best results, we often combine Brillion seeding with hydromulch over the top. The Brillion seeder handles seed placement, while the hydromulch adds another layer of moisture retention and protection.
Rainfall is still important, and no seeding method eliminates the need for moisture. But on sites without irrigation, this combination can give the seed a better chance of establishing successfully.
Neither method is always better. They have different strengths.
Brillion seeding excels at seed placement, consistent distribution, and seed-to-soil contact. Hydroseeding excels at protection, moisture retention, erosion control, and applying fertilizer and other additives.
Either method can work well on its own. The best choice depends on the site, budget, access, terrain, and goals of the project.
The cost of Brillion seeding depends on the size of the project, site conditions, access, and whether it is being performed by itself or as part of a larger lawn-establishment project.
For Superior Groundcover projects, Brillion seeding by itself generally costs about half as much as hydroseeding, although actual pricing varies by project.
It can therefore be a cost-effective stand-alone option on large sites or an additional step for projects where maximizing turf establishment is the priority.
Yes.
Brillion seeders are especially effective when establishing turf on a prepared seedbed, but certain Brillion equipment can also be used for overseeding.
Superior Groundcover has a no-till Brillion seeder equipped with spike rollers that can perform light soil preparation while placing the seed. This can make it useful for overseeding existing turf without going through the full soil-preparation process required for a completely new lawn.
The best overseeding method depends on the condition of the existing turf, soil conditions, access, and how much soil disturbance is appropriate.
