For many years wetting agents have played a major role in water management programs on sports turf such as golf and bowling greens for many years.Wetting agents or soil surfactants work by lowering the surface tension of water enabling the water to move and penetrate into the root zone or soil where it is most needed.During times of drought, the lack of water and heat stress can have an adverse affect on the soil causing it to become hydrophobic (water repellent). When the soil become hydrophobic the soil particles become coated with a waxy substance which repel water and cause dry patch.When dry patch occurs it becomes very difficult to effectively re-wet the soil with artificial watering or irrigation. In many cases the soil will only recover properly once there is significant rainfall during the autumn and winter.However by using a wetting agent during drought and dry weather you can help combat dry patch in the lawn. Wetting agents help breakdown the waxy coatings on the soil particles enabling the water to penetrate into and move through the soil profile to the grass roots.

Formulation and application of wetting agents

There are numerourous formulations and different of applying a wetting agent to lawns and turf, each have advantages and disadvantages.

• Liquid wetting agents are widely used in the sports turf industry on golf greens, bowling greens and sports pitches. These products are applied through a sprayer (most commonly a knapsack or vehicle mounted) on to the turf. emergency alert response system Riegelsville PA . This is a very efficient application method ideal for treating large areas quickly and easily. Several years ago liquid wetting agents required some from of irrigation following application, however many of the more modern products require none.
• Wetting agents tablets are available to be applied with a hose end applicator. Cheap Insurance Quotes Van . The tablet is placed in a canister and the water dissolves the tablet applying the wetting agent on the the turf. phlebotomy certification . This method is ideal for spot treating problem areas such as high spots and areas prone to dry patch.
• Granular wetting agents are also available and can be spread over the lawn and worked into the ground, often when aeration has taken place.

When to apply a wetting agent

Ideally apply a wetting agent before the soil becomes too dry at the start of the dry spell for the best results, especially to localised areas that have shown signs of dry patch in the past.However wetting agents can still be very helpful to re-wet soils that have already become dry and hydrophobic.Greenkeepers apply these products at the start of the season before dry patch is a problem and they may re-apply them on a regular basis throughout the summer as part of their water management program

• Raise the height of cut on the mower as this will leave a long leaf on the grass help reduce the overall stress on the grass lawn during periods of lawn drought.
• Return the clippings to the lawn by not boxing off. This will help retain moisture by acting as a mulch and also returns vital nutrients to the lawn during the drought.
• Ensure that the lawn has received adequate nutrition by applying a balanced feed program. Grass that has received adequate nutrition is better able to withstand adverse weather conditions including drought. This will also aid recovery once the drought has ended.
• Shallow spiking will help reduce any water run off and aid penetration into the soil where it is needed most. This results in a better water management as less water is used to maintain the health of the lawn.
• If water is available use it wisely. Water during the coolest periods of the day, either early morning or late evening to reduce the loss of water from evaporation. Again less water is used by watering the lawn at key times of the day. If water is severely limited consider hand watering the lawn by applying water to localised areas that are suffering the most.Aim to water heavily and infrequently, letting the lawn dry out a little in between each watering during periods of lawn drought. boston seo . Aimfor the water to soakdown to about3 – 4 inches for a typical lawn. Avoid watering again until the grassturns a blue – grey colour and shows signs of drought stress.This method promotes root growth as it allows the soil profile to dry out between each application of water. This in turn forces the roots to go deeper in search of water and helps encourage a drought resistant lawn.If lawns are watered little and often (every night), the upper soil profile stays wet and the roots will remain shallow as they don’t have to go in search of water. Ultimately this leads to a lawn with very poor drought tolerance.
• If possible limit the amount of traffic the lawn receives during periods of lawn drought. Excess wear and tear has an adverse affect on drought stressed lawns and turf.
• If possible use a wetting agent to aid water penetration into the soil and water retention within the soil. wireless speakers for stereo system . Wetting agents are widely used in professional turf care as part of a water management program.
• Avoid using herbicides or other chemicals during periods of drought on the lawn. Not only are herbicides ineffective on weeds that are drought stressed, they will scotch andcause damage to drought stressed turf.

These are short term measures which will help your lawn withstand the stresses of lawn drought better than normal routine maintenance during the summer.

How much water to apply to a lawn

How much water your lawn requires will vary from lawn to lawn, depending on grass type, soil type, mowing regime and climatic conditions.Lawns that contain drought resistant grasses such as fescue and ryegrass will withstand drought better than lawns containing a high percentage of annual meadow grass, therefore require less watering.Again soils that contain a high high content of clay will need less watering or irrigation than a sandy root zone.Lawns that are mowntoo short will require more water than those that are left somewhat longer.

When to water a lawn

It is important not to let the lawn get too dry before watering or irrigation. Quite often the grass will go dull, loosing its glossy colour, a blue tinge to grass can often be observed. The grass will loose its springiness when walked over, when it is starting to suffer from the lack of water.When these symptoms occur it is time to water the lawn. Generally speaking it is beneficial to the lawn to water heavily every 7 to 10 days and let the lawn dry out a little in between. motorcycle accident attorney florida . However it is worth noting these figures are not set in stone and may vary with different soil types and heat levels.Some lawns may be able to survive longer without water, some may need it more frequently. E.g. A lawn on a sandy soil in 30 degree heat will require more frequent watering or irrigation than a heavy clay soil in similar heat. Therefore you need to adapt your lawn watering program for your particular situation.Always let the lawn tell you when it needs water, don’t apply water to the lawn for the sake of it.The best time for lawn watering or irrigation is early morning or early evening, when it is generally a little cooler and less water is lost through evaporation.However watering the lawn during the evening can mean the grass leaf remaining wet through the night and may encourage some types of lawn disease. Jewelry . If this is the case for your lawn aim to water during the early morning as the leaves of the grass will dry quickly. 

Types of sprinklers used for watering lawns

The most common and easiest way of watering a lawn is by using a hose pipe and sprinkler. However before rushing out to purchase a sprinkler it is worth noting the size and shape of your lawn. This is because different types of sprinkler are suited to different size and shaped lawns.

• Oscillating sprinklers are ideal for square or rectangular shaped lawns. In most cases they can be adjusted to cover the intended area and they provide a nice gentle watering pattern that has time to soak into the soil.
• Static sprinklers generally produce a circular watering pattern. Normally the sprinkler can’t be adjusted, however by increasing or decreasing the tap pressure the area being watered can be adjusted. These sprinklers apply the water to an area of lawn quite quickly, therefore they need moving on a regular basis.
• Pulse-jet or impact sprinklers also water in a circular pattern, but they can be adjusted to water full circle or part circle. Again this type of sprinkler provides a nice gentle watering letting the water soak slowly into the soil.
• Pop-up sprinklers are more commonly used on golf courses and sports grounds, however they are also suitable for larger lawns as they water large areas quickly and accurately. gainesville personal injury attorney . The main drawback with pop-up sprinklers is the cost of installation and they also require good water pressure for them to work properly.

When to apply a selective weed killer tolawn

Before we go ahead and apply the weed killer there are a few simple guidelines to follow that will help us get the optimum results from this operation. The following advice is for a weed killer that applied in liquid form.

• Ensure that the lawn is growing vigorously. This is important because it helps the weeds absorb the chemical quickly and efficiently ensuring optimum results. Many turf care professionals apply a fertiliser shortly before carrying out any weed control to boost the growth for this reason.
• Apply the chemical when the leaf of the weed is dry. This helps the chemical stick to the leaf of the weed. If the foliage is wet or damp, most of the chemical would simply run off and reduce the effectiveness of the weed killer.
• Do not mow the lawn 3 days prior to the application and 3 days following the application of the weed killer. Basically this ensures that the weed has a large leaf for the chemical to stick and also give the chemical time to be absorbed through the whole plant (weed).
• Avoid applying selective weed killers during drought to prevent any damage to the lawn. If necessary water the lawn thoroughly prior to the treatment.
• Avoid spraying the lawn if rain is imminent, as this can wash the chemical off the leaf and reduce the effectiveness of the chemical.
• To avoid any damage or problems to the lawn always read and follow the manufacturers instructions that is supplied with the product.

Always remember chemicals are dangerous if used incorrectly, therefore great care must be taken during this task. Neal Beaty . Store any unused chemicals safely and away from children and clean or dispose of any contaminated clothing or garments in the correct manner.