“NEW” Water Solution
We have listened to feedback, about how and when to water, during autumn 2018 and 2022 we observed many lawns were affected by dry patch and struggled to recover.
We believe that “Water Solution” will be a great option for you, and benefit your lawn even, if you decide that manual watering is not going to be part of your weekly lawn care routine.
What is a wetting agent?
A chemical that reduces surface tension in the soil water, so that rain and water penetrate and spread more efficiently, thus improving availability to plants and reducing total water usage.
How are wetting agents applied to my lawn?
Wetting agents come in a liquid and granular form. We would be applying as a liquid application for your lawn in the Spring, and either a liquid or granule in the Summer.
How will wetting agents benefit my lawn?
Our double-action formula wetting agent breaks down waxy aqua-phobic areas and increases soil moisture retention. It will work in 4 ways to the benefit of your lawn:
- Penetration – Water applied to the lawn will penetrate into the soil profile easily and effectively.
- Stabilise – Locks on to water in soil profile – less watering.
- Movement – Water is able to move laterally.
- Longevity – Will work for 8-10 weeks alongside watering regime and will aid recovery after drought stress.
Will wetting agents reduce the cost of watering my lawn?
The amount of water you need to apply to your lawn can be significantly reduced through the use of wetting agents.
Are wetting agents essential?
Wetting agents are not essential, but are a great addition to an already good treatment plan. They are a perfect blend of water management, soil health and natural drought recovery.
Will the wetting agent work after rainfall and/or mowing?
Liquid application will work most effectively if there is water readily available after application. Whether that be rainfall, morning dew or manual watering.
We have chosen to apply a liquid in Spring as we tend to see more rainfall and morning dew.
We do not recommend any mowing take place for at least 3 days after application in the Spring, unless mulching. This allows the product enough time to absorb and penetrate.
A Liquid or Granular application will be applied in Summer, but would benefit from watering.
The summer application will sit in the sward, and therefore will not be affected by mowing. We would still recommend a period of 3 days without mowing after application.
What is considered a good watering regime?
Water when the lawn tells you to, not according to some arbitrary plan. Your soil type, grass type, exposure to sun and wind are just a few of the factors that will determine how frequently you need to water.
Where possible, water as early as possible. This will allow for greater penetration and intake from the plant. Water will be readily available in the soil profile for when the lawn needs it.
Watering in late evening may increase the likelihood of disease creeping in e.g. Red Thread.
Water deeply each time you water – at least half an inch for clay soils and an inch (25mm) for sandy soils. You can work this out by placing a few straight sided containers (empty paint tins are ideal) in the sprinkler area to catch some water. If you time the process until there is the required amount of water in the container, you’ll know how long to water for.
Why do I need to be concerned about moisture levels in my lawn?
All plants need water to function. When water is in short supply the function of the plant can be affected and enter into drought stress.
Certain perineal weeds and grass weeds (poa annua) thrive in drought conditions, resulting in a weedy lawn.
Healthy soil biology is essential for the lawn. When moisture levels drop, so does the population of beneficial soil microbes.