Home and Garden: Planting the Seeds of a Growing Business – Austin Daily Herald

A young company in town is looking to offer a cost-effective solution to people struggling with their lawns.

Owned and operated by Kyle and Amanda Njos, 507 HYDRO was founded in January and is focused on breathing new life into lawns through hydroseeding. Hydroseeding is a method of establishing lawns at the residential level, commonly found in commercial and government buildings.

“I’ve been wanting to start a business for the last three or four years,” Kyle said. “It was a matter of narrowing down what exactly to do.”

How to stabilize this lawn Wood fiber mulch, tackifier, seeds, and fertilizer are mixed together to form a slurry that is sprayed over the ground to be treated.

Seeds germinate in about 5-7 days and established grasses grow in 4-6 weeks.

Hydroseeding is a method that Kyle has seen used through his work as an engineering technician for the Freeborn County Highway Department.

This is also the method they used on the family’s own lawn here in Austin after doing so much work on their lawn.

Hydroseeding has proven to be much more resilient, especially in homes where: toddler and dog

“That’s what we need,” Amanda said.

But the idea of ​​starting a business from there didn’t take hold right away.

“[Kyle]brought it up for a while and I was like, ‘No,'” Amanda said. “We wouldn’t do that. We both have good jobs and there’s no reason to take any risks.”

However, over time, the idea finally took root and began to grow, and the couple decided to continue with this business.

“It’s a now or never type of thing,” Kyle said.

“If we’re going to do it, let’s do it,” Amanda agreed. “We’re going to give it our all right now and that’s what it is. It’s been wild.”

And for the couple, it was a risk worth taking. Even though they are still waiting to actually start work and will likely start in May, they are already busy with estimates and are taking advantage of the unseasonably warm weather to get work.

“We took advantage of the nice weather to get out and give quotes to contractors who contacted us,” Kyle said. “We also cited some government projects.”

At the same time, the couple realizes that they are a new business, and for many at the residential level there may be questions about what hydroseeding is and whether it is right for them. yeah.

As part of achieving that, Kyle and Amanda want to find ways to partner with homeowners on projects while also being good partners and collaborating with other businesses. As an example, they point out that they can help people find a location for soil testing if needed.

“We’re definitely planning on it,” Amanda said. “We want to make those connections and introduce ourselves to them. We’re here to see everyone win.”

Kyle and Amanda still have full-time jobs, Kyle working in Freeborn County and Amanda working from home with Health Partners Medical Insurance, but they hope to someday focus on their new business full-time. I want to become

Something we both enjoyed.

“It’s been a fun, short few months, but with the nice weather, I think people are more interested in beautifying their gardens,” Kyle said.

Kyle and Amanda Njos evaluate their lawn for potential hydroseeding.Photo provided

process

Kyle said homeowners considering hydroseeding their lawns should look for areas in their yards that are free of growth, a situation made worse by the drought conditions currently hitting the state. He said he was deaf.

Under these conditions, dust may form, making the ground hard and making it difficult for seeds to take root.

The Njos and their colleagues begin the process by finding out the square footage to be treated (minimum $350, which equates to 1,700 square feet) and provide an estimate for the job. After reviewing the numbers with the homeowner, we provide a quote and agree on the job to begin preparing the nursery. This includes using a power rake to stir the first few inches of soil.

Then, spray the slurry. What makes hydroseeding an attractive option is the deep penetration of the seeds and reliable roots into the soil.

“The seeds grow so deep that they are much more resilient,” Amanda said.

Once the slurry has solidified, soil moisture must be maintained, which will vary depending on the amount of rainfall in the area.

“I water the plants several times a week, usually late in the evening,” Kyle says.

The best time to care for your lawn is spring or early fall. Summer is also an option, but you should be prepared to water your lawn more.

If you think hydroseeding is right for you, or just want more information, contact 507 HYDRO at 507HYDRO@gmail.com, call 1-507-440-6931, or find us on Facebook Please visit the page.