You can buy a wetting agent for hydrophobic soil at most garden centres or make one at home using agar (powdered kelp). It's also possible to use diluted dishwashing liquid or dishwater/laundry water as a soil wetter because the surfactants in the detergent break surface tension in water like wetting agents do.
Organic material, such as coconut coir, peat moss, or even compost, will absorb water, retaining moisture that plants can use during dry spells.
Fill in the Low Spots
Compost is especially good for this purpose because the low areas of your yard tend to have compacted soil, and the microbes found naturally in compost will help loosen up your soil over time.
To dry out soil quickly, you can apply hydrated lime to the soil, add compost and then turn the soil thoroughly to aerate it. Adding hydrated lime and compost will help absorb the water in your soil, and turning it all will help distribute the water in the waterlogged soil throughout your garden.
Root hair absorbs water from soil through osmosis. Water will be absorbed by root hairs by osmosis as the environment in the soil is hypotonic. This kind of absorption takes place passively. The water can easily move from the region of higher concentration to the low concentration without expenditure of energy.
It's also possible to use diluted dishwashing liquid or dishwater/laundry water as a soil wetter because the surfactants in the detergent break surface tension in water like wetting agents do. However, be cautious when using detergents in your garden and choose environmentally friendly/biodegradable options.
The simplest way to do this is to add extra organic matter such as well-rotted manure or compost, digging in a good amount to fix the immediate issue, and continuing to add smaller amounts throughout the year to maintain the soil's condition.
Natural fibers such as cotton, wool, and jute have intrinsic water-absorbing properties, making them highly valuable in various absorbent applications. Cotton, for instance, can absorb up to 25 times its weight in water due to its cellulose structure, which allows it to hold a significant amount of liquid.
Plants and trees play an important role helping to intercept rain before it hits the ground. Large leafy plants, shrubs and trees scattered throughout your garden will absorb groundwater through their roots and catch some water on their leaves.
They act as a detergent to this waxy, impenetrable coating that surrounds your soil particles. Breaking down the waxy coating, soil wetters allow the water to reach your plants' roots, ensuring it gets the goodness that it needs. What do they look like? Soil wetters can come in granular or liquid form.
Osmosis plays a central role in the movement of water between cells and various compartments within plants. In the absence of transpiration, osmotic forces dominate the movement of water into roots.
HYDRATION-BOOSTING NUTRIENTS
Staying hydrated requires more than just water. Electrolytes and carbohydrates also play important roles in absorbing fluids. Additionally, electrolytes—sodium, chloride, potassium, magnesium, and calcium—are vitally important for healthy nerve and muscle function.
To re-wet, repeatedly sprinkle the surface lightly, making sure there is no run off. Covering the surface with a mulch such as straw, leaves, wood chips, or compost will also help. Eventually the soil will become moist enough to break up. A gentle, steady rain will also do the trick.
How to Fix Water-Repellent/Hydrophobic Soils. To help break up the waxy layer, you will need to use a wetting agent or soil wetter. They are available in liquid or granular forms and act like a detergent to break up the waxy coating.
Damaging properties: Some dish soaps contain fragrances, preservatives, and additives which, if built up in the soil or on the plant's surface, can harm the environment or other beneficial insects.
It is often the hot climate or mild winters coupled with sparse rainfall which can cause havoc with the soil. Generally, the hydrophobic nature of any soil boils down to the waxy residue which builds upon the surface, resulting in it repelling water instead of usually absorbing it.
Organic soil amendments are derived from natural sources and are rich in organic matter. These additives not only improve soil structure but also enhance water retention capacity. Commonly used organic soil amendments include compost, manure, and peat moss.
Hydrosource CLP is gel-forming super-absorbant cross-linked polyacrylamide that gathers hundreds of times its weight in water and stores nutrients. Mixed with soil, it provides a reservoir of water and nutrients for your plants and lasts up to 20 years!
Essentially all of the water used by land plants is absorbed from the soil by roots. A root system consists of a complex network of individual roots that vary in age along their length. Roots grow from their tips and initially produce thin and non-woody fine roots.