Soil Recovery
Segment: Soil Recovery
Episode: 6
Presenter: Bonnie-Marie Hibbs
TX Date: 28th March 2020
Hydrophobic soils are not uncommon after the hot summer months, but can be easily treated.
- Hydrophobic soils can cause huge issues in the garden, stopping water from reaching the roots of the plants where it is needed most.
- Hydrophobic soils are a result of extreme heat and a build-up of natural waxy residues in the soil. The wax residue covers soil particles making it harder for water to be absorbed. Rapid drying out of the soil also negatively impacts the soil’s ability to absorb moisture over time.
- You can test if your soil is hydrophobic by pouring water over the surface. If the water beads and doesn’t absorb, your soil is hydrophobic.
- The simplest way to mend your soil is by using a wetting agent. Seasol Super Soil Wetter and Conditioner is great for this – mix 100ml into a standard watering can and apply it over the soil every 2 weeks until the soil improves.
- Adding well aged organic compost and manures to the soil will rapidly help improve the soil’s health, as it adds lots of microbial activity to the soil, which helps break down the waxy residues.
- If you don’t want to be mixing in big badgs, you can use the Seasol Liquid Compost, which works just as well. It will boost root growth but best of all improve the soil’s overall health.
