Hydroseed mulch protects seed over winter by holding moisture at the soil surface, softening temperature swings, and binding seed and soil together so frost heave and runoff don't strip them away. That hydromulch winter protection is a big reason late-season and dormant hydroseeding tends to hold up better than dry seed scattered on bare ground. It isn't a heated blanket, and it won't save seed on a steep slope during a February downpour on frozen soil. But in a typical North

Dormant seeding means putting grass seed down after the soil is too cold for it to sprout, so it rests over winter and germinates on its own in early spring. In Black Hawk County that usually means mid-November to early December, once soil temperatures stay below about 40°F. Done right, it gives you a head start on spring without fighting the April rush. It's not magic, and it's not right for every yard. Here's how it works, when it makes sense, and where it can go wrong. How