Should I Invest in a Soil Wetter?

 

The driest inhabited continent on earth. That’s where we Australians find ourselves. And while this fact allows us to enjoy endless days of sunshine on our favourite beaches, the negative is that it means our plant life experiences some truly challenging conditions.

The fact is that the bone dry soil which covers much of Australia isn’t particularly good at sustaining life. This is especially the case if your garden is filled with plants that may be native to the rich soils of Europe or Asia, where rain can be far more forthcoming.

What is a soil wetting agent?

A wetting agent may be the answer to your soil moisture prayers. These agents are surfactants – they work to lower the surface tension between two compounds (liquid water and solid soil particles in this case) which allows the soil to better take in moisture. Certain soils in certain situations can act somewhat hydrophobic, leading to moisture being removed via evaporation. A soil wetter combines the soil and moisture in a deeper way, which makes it more difficult for the moisture to be evaporated away.

Soil wetting agents usually come in a granular form, and can be spread by either hand or a seed spreader. They generally needn’t be mixed into the soil, as they will penetrate it naturally when wet (this may mean that you need to water certain types of soil wetting agent in).

Do I need a soil wetting agent?

The fact that the majority of Australians live near the coast makes this hydrophobicity all the more prevalent, as sandy soils are the worst for retaining moisture. But even the most fertile soils can have issues with taking on moisture, as the breakdown of organic matter can leave a waxy coating on the particles of the soil which repels water. In this situation the soil wetting agent will act as somewhat of a detergent, washing away the waxiness and allowing the soils to take on moisture. Potting mix can have similar waxiness issues, so soil wetting agents can help to make these mixes far more effective.

In Australia soil wetters are best used in the beginning of spring, as the last of the winter rains will help the granules penetrate the soil, preparing it for the coming heat and dryness. If you spread your soil wetter too late in the year it may not be as effective.

Soil wetting agents also have their use in compost heaps. Because the ability to take on moisture affects the breakdown speed of organic matter, your garden debris can turn to compost in far quicker time with the help of a soil wetting agent than it may naturally.

The McKays Restore Granular Soil Wetter

If your soil is sandy or generally hydrophobic, if you’ve found bare and dry patches in your lawn, or if your composting efforts needs a hurry-up, McKays Restore Granular Soil Wetter is about as complete a soil wetting agent as there is. Perfect for areas with minimal rain or water-restrictions, it is one of the best products on the market for the penetration and retention of moisture in soil.

Restore can be spread easily by hand for small garden areas and bare lawn patches, or by a fertiliser spreader for larger areas like parks, golf courses and sports fields. Unlike many other soil wetting agents, restore doesn’t need to be watered in. It will naturally penetrate the soil when rained on or made wet by irrigation. It is visible when applied, ensuring that you don’t miss any areas nor go over any twice. And being a granular soil wetter, you have greater control when spreading. The granules are all of a uniform size, making even spreading a breeze.

Restore Granular Soil Wetter is bought by the kilogram, with 3kg capable of covering an area of 100 square metres. If you have any further queries on whether Restore Soil Wetter is the right choice for you, don’t hesitate to contact the friendly team at McKays!