A wetting agent, also known as a soil surfactant, breaks the surface tension of water and changes the surface properties of the soil. This allows water to easily penetrate, spread evenly throughout the root zone, and stay retained rather than beading up or running off.
The wetting agent should be applied to the lawn prior to rain or watering. You can apply to the whole lawn which may include some greener areas or just to the dry areas. If applying to dry patches, treat an area slightly larger than the patch itself.
Wetting agents reduce water's surface tension, helping it soak evenly into dry or hydrophobic soil. They're ideal for lawns with dry patches, runoff issues, or uneven water absorption.
Following the label rate is critical. While non-ionic surfactants rarely cause issues, excessively high rates can occasionally lead to membrane permeability changes or phytotoxicity, especially under certain environmental conditions. Importantly, applying more product does not increase longevity or performance.
Can I use dishwashing liquid instead of a wetting agent? No — detergents harm plants and soil microbes.
You can make your own soil wetting agent using the food grade thickener, agar agar (algin), derived from seaweed. Buy powdered kelp from a health food store. Slowly add boiling water to agar agar and stir to make a paste about the same consistency as wallpaper paste.
Many gardeners search for the answer to one important question: is Dawn dish soap safe for plants? Although it's often recommended online, dish soap can actually damage leaves and weaken plant health.
Dish soap and home remedies:
Simple dish soap in a bucket of water is actually a simple wetting agent. The web is replete with hundreds of DIY versions. Keep it simple – ½ cup of Ivory dish soap per 5-gallon bucket and one 12 oz.
Soil wetting agents are available as granules, liquid concentrates, and hose on bottles. Most granular and liquid concentrates need to be watered in well, but it is always best to check the product label.
To differentiate between an overwatered plant and an underwatered one, check soil moisture by inserting your finger about an inch into the soil. If it feels soggy or waterlogged, it's likely overwatered.
It's also possible to use diluted dishwashing liquid or dishwater/laundry water as a soil wetting agent thanks to the surfactants in the detergent that break water surface tension. We strongly advise being cautious when using detergents in your garden and choosing environmentally friendly/biodegradable options.
When should I apply wetting agents? The best time to apply a soil improver with a wetting agent is at the start of winter, in early summer and as recommended by the manufacturer. Always water in wetting agents until they foam. This means they are activated and doing their job.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Wetting Agent for Your Lawn
The choice between granulated and liquid wetting agents ultimately depends on your specific lawn care needs and preferences. If you prioritise ease of application and long-lasting effects, granulated agents might be the better option.
Timing: Apply fall lawn fertilizer once between August and November, right before winter hits, six to eight weeks after the summer feeding. Apply the Scotts® Lawn Care Program fall product now if you've been following that regimen.
For established lawns and gardens, soil amendments can be applied to the surface (known as topdressing) and watered in, so grasses and other plants aren't disturbed.
Timing makes a big difference to how effectively plants use water.
To quickly check if soil needs water, push your finger or a wooden chopstick 1–2 inches deep into the soil. If it feels dry and dusty, or if the stick emerges clean without any dark, damp soil clinging to it, it is time to water.
Yes, an overwatered plant can absolutely recover if you act quickly. The most critical step is to let the roots dry out so they can breathe again.
I'm sure you have heard the old saying that snow is “poor man's fertilizer.” The saying comes from the idea that snow storms deliver small but meaningful nutrients to the soil and there is real science behind that. As snowflakes fall, they collect nitrogen and ammonium and release them during the melt.
Managing Localised Dry Spot
To prevent LDS from occurring, regular applications of a residual wetting agent are most effective. This will prevent hydrophobic conditions from developing when rainfall is low or irrigation is infrequent.
Aeration Deficit
Yucca plants are great at sequestering and using water. Yucca is high in natural wetting agents called saponins. Saponins are steroidal-based natural chemicals that actually make water wetter, breaking the polarity of the water molecule.
In most domestic homeowner situations, the easiest and most accessible surfactant to use is dishwashing liquid. 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.
Another way of making your own wetting agent is to add 3 drops of detergent to 5 litres of water. Make sure that you are using a plant-based detergent that does not have a fragrance as fragrances are often toxic.