Simply put, wetting agents help improve water penetration and water movement in your soil.
This means they help the soil’s ability to absorb and hold on to water. So rather than water sitting in one area or running off / evaporating before it can penetrate the lawn, with a wetting agent applied, the water will penetrate the soil – greatly benefitting the grass.
Wetting agents help dry areas of grass recover quickly – meaning those stubborn spots and dry patches that never seem to green up (regardless of how much water you apply) become a thing of the past.
They are a surfactant – a chemical compound that decreases the surface tension of a liquid, thereby increasing its spreading properties. This helps the water move freely through the soil (when applied to the whole area) greatly improving your chances of a consistent lush green lawn.
Whilst wetting agents do not replace the need for watering, they will greatly reduce the amount of water you use. In fact, using a wetting agent can save you up to 50% on watering.
This is because with the improved water penetration, you simply do not need to water as much. For water-poor areas, or hot dry parts of the country, using a wetting agent can help save money on water bills.
Wetting agents can help improve areas of lawn or turf that are susceptible to dry patch and fairy ring too, particularly important for sports turf or where an even appearance is crucial.
How do you use a wetting agent?
Wetting agents are most effective when used monthly from spring onwards. This ensures the maximum amount of wetting agent is present when the hotter dryer weather arrives - giving your grass a better chance of sustaining itself through high temperatures and a lack of rain.
Wetting agents work in conjunction with water, meaning they should be applied before you intend to water or before rainfall is due.
Apply the wetting agent to the whole lawn or turf area before watering. If you only intend to use it to treat dry patch, cover an area slightly larger than the patch itself.
But remember, that the whole lawn will benefit if applied everywhere. If your lawn is very dry, try pricking the surface to speed things up.
After applying, your lawn or soil will let water soak more deeply – making it available for root uptake and helping it to put on deeper roots. In turn this improves root development and supports grass’ long-term health and resilience to disease.
Which wetting agent do I need?
Agrigem sells a range of wetting agents, including the popular Abzorb Triple Wetting Agent, and Abzorb Wetting Agent Tablets with Seaweed – for added fertilisation. The Abzorb range is appropriate for most general lawn uses.
We also stock specialist fungicide adjuvant systems for plants, like Ruby – a product that will help spray droplets penetrate the leaf surface.
We would encourage you to take a look at our complete range of wetting agents and penetrants online and get in touch with our specialist tech team if you need advice.
