Act now to prevent Dry Patch

If you have not done so already, now we are near the end of March, it is time to apply your summer wetting agent to manage the water in the soil profile without any delay. Most soil moisture products need to be applied a number of times before the full affect can be assured. Some products recommend an initial boost to the soil with a higher application rate for the first treatment. A wide selection of spring summer wetting agents are available from Collier Turf Care, click on the product name for more details:

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Speak to your Collier Turf Care representative for help and advice on the selection of products and applications to suit your particular site.

Wetting Agents

Wetting agents are a vital tool, but however good they are they don’t make water. March is a good time to check over your irrigation system and prime it ready for use. Collier Turf Care have all the spare parts that you may need, simply download a copy of the Prestige Super Irrigation Catalogue. If you are not sure what you need, just ask us.

It is important to monitor the soil moisture distribution through profile. If you have a moisture metre, take several readings from areas all across the turf to give a good indication of moisture content and importantly any changes in the uniformity. If you don’t have a moisture metre then just simply pour a bucket of water on any suspected hydrophobic area and see if it is readily accepted into the rootzone or if it runs across the surface and doesn’t infiltrate easily.

To check the depth of Hydrophobicity, take a core, add drops of water every inch of the profile and time how long it takes to dissipate. If it takes more than one minute, then you have hydrophobic soil. Timing each drop will show how bad it is at various levels through the profile.

It is very important to get ahead with your soil surfactants programme by starting in March. As starting a wetting agent programme later, when you already have hydrophobic soil is like shutting the door after the horse has bolted. Should things go wrong and you discover that dry patch has established then this needs to be addressed before you can move on to a preventative monthly programme. Use specific curative products such as Aquatrols Aqueduct. This is available in a liquid form (Aqueduct) or in granules (Aqueduct Flex). Both are proven as highly effective at curing localised dry patch. Depending on how bad the dry patch has become, you may need to apply more than once.

Once you have cured the dry patch then you are ready to start on a programmed approach to prevent further hydrophobic problems and ensure you have moisture evenly throughout the rootzone. Use a combination wetting agent that is formulated to break down the surface tension, penetrate into the profile and hold moisture in the soil. Continue a four weekly application of wetting agent until late summer and then swap to a penetrating wetting agent for the winter months to draw moisture away from the surface and into the profile.

For expert help and advice contact Collier Turf Care on 01328 700600

Chris Humphrey M.I. Soil Sci. M.B.P.R. FQA

Technical Manager