It is possible to use diluted dishwashing liquid or dish water/laundry water as a soil wetter, the surfactants in the detergent act to break the surface tension in the water in a similar way to wetting agents (use caution when using detergents on your garden, be sure to use environmentally friendly/biodegradable ...
As mentioned earlier, soap contains the surfactant Sodium stearate. Liquid dishwashing liquid can be added to a tank mix of the herbicide or pesticide being applied and mixed with water. A few drops in a 5L pressure sprayer or knapsack should be enough to help ensure that an efficient application is achieved.
Detergents are surfactants; however, they are formulated to be used as a cleaning solution. Therefore, they do not force the chemical into the plant and will not benefit the herbicide to be more effective.
It is actually possible to make your own natural wetting agent to help improve the condition of your water-repellent garden soil. You would begin with a natural gelling agent called Agar – Agar. This substance comes from a variety of algae and also seaweed. It is available as a powder in health food stores.
– Harmful Damage
Water with a little soap or detergent won't kill your plant roots, but it will cause a great damage which would be harmful to the plant in the long run. Instead, due to containing a wetting agent, in this type of water gets penetrates in the depth with mild effects of soapy water on soil.
Here's a recipe to make your own natural Agar soil wetter at home: Mix agar powder/powdered kelp (available at health food stores) and 500ml boiling water until you get the consistency of thick custard. Add this mixture to a 9 litre watering can and fill with water to dilute the mixture.
To wet hydrophobic soils, add several drops of liquid dish-washing soap to a watering can filled with water and slowly apply to the soil. The soap breaks the dried soil's surface tension and allows the water to be absorbed. If the hydrophobic condition redevelops, treat it again.
Wetting agents are like a detergent or surfactant that reduces the surface tension of the water helping it to soak in. They come in liquid or granular form and are sometimes mixed into lawn foods and top-dressing mixes.
Dish soap is used as a surfactant, both when washing dishes and applying herbicide to plants. While it might effectively remove grease and food from plates, dish soap probably should not be the “go-to” surfactant for herbicides. Surfactant is a word made-up by combining the words surface, active, and agent.
Natural Wet is a wetting agent, designed to alleviate plants suffering from stress in unfavorable conditions. By harnessing the resilience of yucca plant extracts, Natural Wet aids plants by regulating water usage while facilitating nutrient absorption in times of heat and moisture stress.
Once spread on your lawn, the chemicals are activated by rain or irrigation and the carrier gradually breaks down over time. Unlike fertiliser, which can become toxic in large quantities, soil wetting agents are usually harmless. But once the soil has recovered, repeatedly applying them is a waste of time and money.
Use drip irrigation and an automatic timer.
For this reason, it's best to water slowly, allowing the moisture to soak into the soil and permeate down to the root level of the plants. Drip lines, which are available at nurseries and home centers, provide very slow and effective irrigation.
The material used in Nature's Soil Wetter is derived from 100% Natural Complex Organic Compounds (COC) ingredients. It is a Non-toxic Surfactants, containing Natural Botanical Extracts, incl. Taraxacum officinale, Corn Starch derivatives and 'Humates/ Fulvates.
Miracle-Gro Moisture Control potting soil mix. Protects against under and over watering. Includes coir, a wetting agent that helps the soil absorb up to 33% more water than basic potting soil.
A layer of organic mulch helps the soil retain water so it can stay moist. Apply a 2-4 inch (5 – 10 cm) layer of organic mulch, like straw, compost, or leaves, on top of the garden soil to reduce evaporation. Mulch will reduce the amount of water needed and prevent weeds so there won't be competition for soil moisture.
The Solution: Organic Matter!
Organic matter consists of the decaying remains of plants and animals. Examples of these include: leaves, manure, bark, grass clipping, and compost. Some of these organic materials will work better and faster at softening your soil, the best is a good compost.
Loosening the soil with plants
Many plants can develop a substantial root mass in a short period of time, and their roots can penetrate deep layers of soil. A plant cover, such as green manure, not only loosens the garden soil, but it also keeps nutrients from washing away and brings them up from deeper soil layers.
Like a gardening trowel, a hand cultivator is a handheld tool ideal for smaller gardening needs. This multi-pronged tool will easily break up tough soil and loosen compacted dirt and gravel.
Laundry detergents are surfactants formulated to reduce water surface tension. This makes it easier to remove oils and dirt from clothing fabric. But when surfactants get added to soil, its alkalinity level will rise. That will damage the soil and cause the plants to grow incorrectly.
When you wash your hands with soap, it dislodges the dirt, grease, oils, and disease-ridden fecal matter particles on your hands by creating these micelles. Surrounded by the soap, the oil molecules become suspended and distributed in the water rather than stubbornly clinging to your skin.