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Does clay absorb water12/26/2023 Having compact or impermeable soil, or soil that is hard to re-wet after drying out (like peat moss) in excess in your garden, creates hydration issues. You can provide the nutrients, the organisms, and the water, but if they can not get down into the soil, there’s very little that your plants can do. Soil permeability is key to plants receiving the water and nutrients they need to grow. So, the more your garden is flooded or waterlogged, the less resilience it will have the next time an issue arises. This situation has less to do with water absorption and more to do with nutrient absorption.Īdditionally, frequent flooding or waterlogging can change the soil’s reduction potential. If you aren’t noticing any waterlogging but are seeing wilt in your plants for no apparent reason, it may be that the pH is off, causing nutrients not to be absorbed by your plants. Additionally, soil and nutrient issues can cause your soil not to absorb water very well. Soil or Nutrient IssuesĪs mentioned above, trouble with soil content can sometimes cause hydrophobia. Having a garden bed with little to no drainage, adding too much water at a time, or having a shallow bed may be what caused your water logging issues. You will notice standing water, muddy plants, and flowers wilting though there’s water all around them. Waterlogging is demonstrated in this video if you need a visual: This water problem is caused by overwatering your plants or adding too much water to the soil that can not absorb healthily. ![]() Waterlogging is more common in farms and crops but can happen quickly in your garden. Hydrophobic soil is often also heavy in peat moss, which can become hydrophobic when it dries out. Soil mixes heavy in clay may cause soil to become hydrophobic, as the particles will compact closer together and protect anything within it from absorbing water. Repellent soil will essentially clothe your plant roots in a raincoat-like layer of water, leaving all moisture to escape.Īnother tell-tale sign of hydrophobic soil is water accumulating on the surface of your soil or running through the spaces in the sides. Not only is it resistant, but it is ‘phobic’ or repellent to water.Ī tell-tale sign is water going through the drainage hole, but your soil is not absorbing any of it. If we break down the word Hydrophobia, it tells you what it means. Hydrophobia is another common reason for plants being resistant to watering. It can often be caused by people stepping or walking through your garden (animals included), too much watering, or heavy traffic. This compaction prevents proper root growth and can inhibit your plant’s ability to grow.Ī few things can cause soil compaction. However, if you have compact soil, everything is squeezed so tightly together that nothing can penetrate, not even water. Plant soil is supposed to be somewhat loose and porous-you should imagine that your plant roots and tiny microorganisms have no trouble pushing or pulling themselves through your garden. Soil compaction happens when your soil has been compacted down into such a tight squeeze that no water or roots can grow freely. ![]() You may be shocked that your last garden shower left puddles in your soil or that none of the water seems to be getting through to your plant. Soil is supposed to absorb water and provide it to your plant’s roots. Then, we will go in-depth about each fix and give you some DIY strategies to help your plants get the hydration they need. Attempt watering from below (bottom watering).įirst, let’s talk about the reason your soil is not absorbing any water, as this may guide your next steps. Reduce the amount of peat moss (and increase other materials)ĥ. ![]() To fix soil that does not absorb any water, you can:Ģ. Luckily, this is a common problem, and we have quite a few go-to ideas. If you’ve found that your plants aren’t getting any water and barely penetrating the soil, you may be pulling your hair to figure out how to fix it. Any gardener knows that plants need healthy soil, sunlight, and water at the bare minimum to thrive.
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