Flat ground, deep alluvium

Hydroseeding in Davis, CA

A farm-science town on level valley soil, where getting water to drain matters more than holding a slope.

No charge to walk your lot, and every quote in writing
Prep, seed, mulch and erosion control priced as separate lines
A written watering schedule for the season you seed in

Lawns on Level Ground in Davis

Hydroseeding in Davis is shaped by how flat the town is. Davis sits in the Sacramento Valley at about 52 feet, and its topography is flat enough that it became known as a haven for bicyclists. On a level lot there is no slope to stabilize, but there is also no natural fall to carry water off the lawn, so fine grading does more of the work here than erosion control does.

Valley soil, Yolo County style

The USDA's Yolo soil series, with its type location in Yolo County, is a well-drained silt loam formed in alluvium on the west side of the Sacramento Valley, typically on 0 to 2 percent slopes. The description notes that tillage pans can form over broad areas and restrict permeability. On older farm ground turned into housing, that compacted layer is common, and breaking it up before seeding makes a visible difference in how deep the roots go.

Putah Creek moved south

Putah Creek once flowed near downtown, in what is now the UC Davis Arboretum channel. Early settlers redirected it south of town in 1871, and the Army Corps of Engineers added levees to the South Fork in the late 1940s. Lots near the old channel or close to the South Fork can have mixed fill and old creek sediments, which we check before spraying.

Rain and tule fog

Davis averages about 20 inches of rain a year, mostly from mid-November to mid-March. Dense tule fog settles in during late fall and winter. Fog keeps seed moist but also keeps the soil cold, so germination slows in December and January. We like to seed Davis lawns in September or October, before the fog season, or wait until soil warms in spring.

A town with its own land-use habits

Davis grew up around agriculture, with the University Farm opening to students in 1908. The city also has a Dark Skies ordinance from 1998 and a 2013 Cool Roof initiative, and West Davis has the Village Homes solar development with its natural drainage design. Many homeowners here ask about water-wise lawns, smaller turf areas or native mixes on parkway strips, and hydroseed works for all of those.

Common Davis jobs

Fine grading for drainage, breaking up compacted pans, new lawn hydroseeding and overseeding thin turf. Get a free estimate or call (916) 249-7160.

Davis Ground and Climate

Flat topography. Davis sits at about 52 feet in the Sacramento Valley, and its topography is described as flat.
Yolo silt loam. The Yolo soil series is a well-drained silt loam on mostly 0 to 2 percent slopes, where tillage pans can restrict permeability.
Rerouted creek. Putah Creek once flowed near downtown in today's Arboretum channel and was redirected south of Davis in 1871.
Winter fog. Mean annual rainfall is about 20 inches, and dense tule fog settles in during late fall and winter.

Yard Grading & Soil Prep in Sacramento, CA

Our Services in Davis, CA

Davis Questions

My Davis lawn is perfectly flat. Why does it puddle?

With no natural fall, any low spot holds water. A light fine grade that gives the lawn a gentle slope toward the street or a drain usually solves it before we seed.

What is a tillage pan and does my yard have one?

It is a compacted layer from years of farming or heavy equipment. The USDA notes they form in Yolo soils. If a shovel stops hard a few inches down, you probably have one, and we break it up before seeding.

Is hydroseed a good fit for a water-wise yard?

Yes. We can spray a smaller lawn area and use a native or low-water mix on parkways and edges in the same visit.

Why not seed in January?

Tule fog and cold soil slow germination. September, October or a warm spring week gives faster, more even results.

Free Estimates in Davis, CA

Free estimates for Davis lawns and lots.

Call (916) 249-7160 Free Estimate