Bluffs above the American River

Hydroseeding in Fair Oaks, CA

A leafy, rolling community that was a citrus colony until two hard freezes in the 1930s.

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

Seeding Bluff Lots and Old Orchard Ground in Fair Oaks

Hydroseeding in Fair Oaks often happens on lots shaped by the American River. The river forms the community's southern boundary, and trails near the Red Bridge climb to cliffs high above the water. Fair Oaks is described as a town of rolling streets and tree canopies, at about 174 feet, and many properties step down toward the river with real grade changes.

Bluff-edge caution

On a lot near a river bluff, the last thing you want is runoff concentrated at the edge. When we regrade or seed a bluff-top yard, we slope the finished grade back toward the street or a drain where possible, cover bare soil with bonded fiber matrix or a blanket rather than light mulch, and keep heavy equipment well back from the edge. Grass and deep-rooted natives on the bank do more than any wall to hold the surface.

From citrus colony to suburb

Fair Oaks began on the 1844 Rancho San Juan land grant, and by 1895 the land was mostly citrus farms marketed as a citrus colony. Freezes in 1932 and 1934 killed many of the groves, and the area turned into a bedroom community. Some lots still have old orchard rows or stumps under the lawn, which shows up as sunken lines or roots that need clearing before a clean grade and seed.

The Phoenix Vernal Pools

Fair Oaks has the Phoenix Vernal Pools reserve, which protects the endangered Sacramento Orcutt grass. Vernal pools form where a hardpan or claypan holds winter rain in shallow depressions. Projects near the reserve need sediment kept strictly on site: silt fence or fiber rolls on the downhill side, covered stockpiles and no washout water leaving the lot.

Weather and timing

Average rainfall is about 18.5 inches a year. Summers bring around 73 days above 90 degrees, and dense tule fog in December and January can drop visibility under 100 feet. We seed most Fair Oaks lawns in early fall, ahead of the fog and the rains, and plan bluff erosion control so it is down before the first big storm.

What owners here ask for

Bank and bluff stabilization with BFM or blankets
Lawn renovation under heavy tree canopy
Regrading old orchard ground

Get a free estimate or call (916) 249-7160.

Fair Oaks River, Pools and History

River boundary. The American River forms the southern boundary of Fair Oaks, with cliffs high above the river near the Red Bridge.
Vernal pool reserve. The Phoenix Vernal Pools reserve protects the endangered Sacramento Orcutt grass.
Citrus freezes. Freezes in 1932 and 1934 destroyed many citrus groves, ending Fair Oaks as a major citrus producer.
Tule fog. Dense tule fog, mainly in December and January, can reduce visibility to under 100 feet.

Silt Fence & Sediment Control in Sacramento, CA

Our Services in Fair Oaks, CA

Fair Oaks Questions

Is it safe to regrade a yard near the river bluff?

With care, yes. We keep machines back from the edge, direct water away from the bluff and cover the bank with BFM or a blanket instead of leaving it bare.

There are old tree stumps under my lawn. Is that a problem?

Former orchard roots can rot and leave sunken lines. We remove what we can reach and fill and grade before seeding.

We live near the Phoenix Vernal Pools. Does that change anything?

It means extra attention to sediment control so nothing runs toward the reserve. Silt fence or fiber rolls, covered piles and clean equipment washout are part of the job.

When should I seed to avoid the fog season?

Early fall, so the grass is up before December and January fog and cold slow it down.

Free Estimates in Fair Oaks, CA

Free estimates for Fair Oaks lots and banks.

Call (916) 249-7160 Free Estimate