Ransom Olds' planned town on the bay

Hydroseeding in Oldsmar, FL

Seeding and sediment control at the top of Tampa Bay.

We come out, measure, and quote in writing at no charge
Seed choice matched to sun, irrigation and soil
Silt fence and inlet protection set before earthwork

Low Ground at the Head of the Bay

Hydroseeding in Oldsmar is shaped by how low the city sits. Oldsmar is on a plateau that never rises more than 20 feet above sea level, at the northern tip of Tampa Bay. The 1916 plan for the town included 10 miles of waterfront facing Old Tampa Bay. With so little elevation, water moves slowly off lots, and bare soil tends to end up in ditches and the bay rather than draining away cleanly.

Storm history

In 1921, a hurricane struck Tampa Bay and devastated Oldsmar, with floodwater reaching 14 feet above normal and large trees uprooted. That storm is a reminder that low bay-front ground can take water. On lots near the shore, we seed with a bonding mulch that resists washing and keep silt fence along the water side during construction.

A planned town that started over

Ransom E. Olds bought 37,541 acres in 1916 to build a planned community with model farms and land parceled for agriculture. A banana plantation failed because winters were too harsh. Olds left with only about 200 residents in town. The population was still under 900 in 1960 and passed 11,900 by 2000, so most of today's Oldsmar, from subdivisions to business parks, is relatively recent.

Business parks and employers

Oldsmar has employers such as Lockheed Martin and MarineMax, which moved into a new headquarters in 2024. Commercial and light industrial sites need silt fence, inlet protection and fast stabilization during construction, and Pinellas County requires soil exposed for seven days or more to be stabilized.

Homeowner lawns

For homes, the jobs are lawn renovation, seeding after a pool or addition, and fixing yards that hold water. A small regrade toward a swale often matters more than the seed itself.

Get started

Get a free estimate or call (813) 343-2450.

Oldsmar Land Facts

Low plateau. Oldsmar sits on a plateau with an elevation never rising over 20 feet above sea level.
1921 hurricane. The 1921 hurricane devastated Oldsmar, with floodwater reaching 14 feet above normal and large trees uprooted.
Olds purchase. Ransom E. Olds bought 37,541 acres in 1916 to build a planned community with model farms.
Bay frontage. The 1916 town plan included 10 miles of waterfront facing Old Tampa Bay.

Our Services in Oldsmar, FL

Oldsmar Questions

Does Oldsmar's low elevation affect a new lawn?

Yes. Water drains slowly, so we check grades and make sure water has somewhere to go before seeding.

Can you stabilize a commercial site in a business park?

Yes. Sediment barriers and inlet filters go in first, then we hydroseed or hydromulch to stabilize bare ground.

Is it worth seeding a lot right on the bay?

Yes, with a bonding mulch and a barrier on the water side. Salt exposure may affect which grass we recommend.

Why did my builder sod fail in a low area?

Standing water is a common cause. Regrading and a wet-tolerant mix usually do better than replacing the sod.

Free Estimates in Oldsmar, FL

Free estimates throughout Oldsmar.

Call (813) 343-2450 Free Estimate