Old farmland, mill reservoirs

Hydroseeding in Smithfield, RI

Higher, hilly ground with reservoirs built to feed the Woonasquatucket mills.

No-charge site visit, then an itemized quote in writing
Seed mix picked for the sun, shade and slope on your lot
A printed aftercare sheet: when to water and when to mow for the first time

Hydroseed Lawns in Smithfield

Hydroseeding in Smithfield deals with some of the hillier ground in the Providence area. The town sits at about 367 feet, was settled in 1663 as a farming community, and still has plenty of slope, stone walls and old field soil. New homes on hillside lots and on former farmland make up much of the lawn work here.

Reservoirs built for the mills

Slack Reservoir, the Upper and Lower Sprague Reservoirs and Waterman Reservoir were built under a charter to the Woonasquatucket River Company to steady water for the mills downstream. Many houses now look out over those reservoirs, and their yards drain straight toward them. We put a sediment barrier at the low side of any graded yard near a reservoir and cover bare soil fast.

From farm fields to lawns

By 1819 the town had nine cotton mills and by 1876 it had 20, but farming came first and left behind broad, open soils. Former field ground often grows grass well once compaction from equipment is broken up. We loosen the surface, spread topsoil where the builder stripped it, and spray a mix suited to full sun.

Slopes on hillside lots

Driveways and house pads cut into a hillside leave steep cut and fill banks. On a 3:1 or flatter slope, hydroseed with tackifier usually holds. Steeper banks get a straw or coconut blanket, staked down, with seed sprayed over or under it depending on the product.

Campus-scale grounds

Bryant University sits on 428 acres given in 1971, much of it former homestead farmland. Large institutional grounds like that show the kind of area a hydroseed machine handles well: big open stretches that need uniform turf at once.

Smithfield work

New home lawns on hillside and farm lots
Blankets and hydromulch on cut slopes
Silt fence near reservoirs and streams
Topsoil spreading and grading

Get a free estimate or call (401) 271-4843.

Smithfield Land and Water

Elevation. Smithfield's listed elevation is about 367 feet, higher than most towns near Providence.
Mill reservoirs. Slack, Upper and Lower Sprague, and Waterman Reservoirs were built to stabilize water for the Woonasquatucket mills.
Farm roots. The town was settled in 1663 as a farming community before mills took over in the 1800s.
Bryant land. Bryant University received 428 acres in 1971 on land farmed for three generations.

Silt Fence & Sediment Control in Providence, RI

Our Services in Smithfield, RI

Smithfield Questions

How steep can a Smithfield hillside be and still take hydroseed?

Around 3:1 or flatter usually holds with tackifier. Steeper banks need a blanket staked down as well.

My lot drains toward Waterman Reservoir. Do I need sediment control?

We recommend it. A silt fence or sediment log at the low edge keeps soil out of the water until grass is up.

The builder took my topsoil. Can you replace it?

Yes. We spread screened topsoil to a usable depth before seeding.

Is there a best month to seed in Smithfield?

Late August through September is ideal. Mid-spring is the backup window.

Free Estimates in Smithfield, RI

Free estimates from Greenville to Georgiaville.

Call (401) 271-4843 Free Estimate