How Material Selection Impacts Performance in Challenging Conditions

Water is one of the most critical variables in any revegetation project — and one of the most unpredictable. Successful application requires significant volume, often thousands of gallons from a high-flow source such as a fire hydrant, making reliable access to water essential from the start.

In Texas, changing weather patterns add another layer of complexity. On non-irrigated sites, rainfall — or the lack of it — can significantly impact outcomes. On a project in Arlington, two erosion control approaches were installed side by side using the same seed mix — Flexterra Flexible Growth Medium and a Curlex blanket.

Over a two-month period, the site received only two rain events and one minor snowstorm. Under these limited moisture conditions, the difference in performance became clear. Flexterra retained up to 17 times its weight in moisture, helping sustain seed germination, while the Curlex blanket struggled to maintain adequate conditions.

The result was stronger, more consistent establishment in challenging conditions — demonstrating how material selection can directly impact performance when water availability is limited.