“What should I do when potting soil becomes water repellent, and I don’t have anything big enough to dunk my pots in?” Question from Ethan the Rosarian
Answer: It is very frustrating when potting soil gets so dry that it resists taking up water. We add natural & organic wetting agents to our soils to discourage this from happening, but it can still be a problem if the soil becomes completely parched. Thankfully, there is one method that will consistently rewet super dry potting soil; wetting and mixing it with very warm or hot water and then hand turning and mixing it (be sure to wear water-impermeable gloves). The heat helps the peat and compost easily take up water again. It is the most effective way to get super dry potting soil to fully imbibe water again. Just be sure to let it cool before planting.
Happy gardening,
Jessie Keith
Black Gold Horticulturist
About JESSIE KEITH
Plants are the lens Jessie views the world through because they’re all-sustaining. (“They feed, clothe, house and heal us. They produce the air we breathe and even make us smell pretty.”) She’s a garden writer and photographer with degrees in both horticulture and plant biology from Purdue and Michigan State Universities. Her degrees were bolstered by internships at Longwood Gardens and the American Horticultural Society. She has since worked for many horticultural institutions and companies and now manages communications for Sun Gro Horticulture, the parent company of Black Gold. Her joy is sharing all things green and lovely with her two daughters.
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FAQs
I also suggest adding a pebble layer on top of pots to help keep moisture in the mix. For bagged soil, seal your bags well after use to keep the soil from getting dry. You can even add a little extra water to the mix and blend it by hand before sealing it. The ambient heat should help re-wet the mix.
How to fix potting soil that won't absorb water? ›
Hard-packed clay soils and even garden soils can become crusted and resist wetting, letting water run off instead of absorbing it. To re-wet, repeatedly sprinkle the surface lightly, making sure there is no run off. Covering the surface with a mulch such as straw, leaves, wood chips, or compost will also help.
Why is my dry soil not absorbing water? ›
Hydrophobic soil occurs when a waxy residue builds up on the soil particles resulting in it repelling water rather than absorbing it. It is most common in sandy soils, dried-out potting mix, and soils containing unrotted organic matter. You can identify hydrophobic soil by watering it.
How do you get dry potting soil to absorb water? ›
Set the pot in a shallow container of water (if size allows), allowing the soil to slowly absorb the water. This technique is known as bottom watering. It may take an hour or more to thoroughly re-wet the soil. Be careful not to leave pots soaking in standing water continuously.
How to improve water absorption in soil? ›
Increased soil organic matter enhances your soil's ability to absorb water, leading to less water stress during both dry and wet periods. This can be achieved by: Incorporate compost, manures, or other stable organic materials. Grow and incorporate a high biomass cover crop.
How do you fix soil that stays too wet? ›
To dry out soil quickly, you can apply hydrated lime to the soil, add compost and then turn the soil thoroughly to aerate it. Adding hydrated lime and compost will help absorb the water in your soil, and turning it all will help distribute the water in the waterlogged soil throughout your garden.
How do you rehydrate dry plant soil? ›
Thankfully, there is one method that will consistently rewet super dry potting soil; wetting and mixing it with very warm or hot water and then hand turning and mixing it (be sure to wear water-impermeable gloves). The heat helps the peat and compost easily take up water again.
How do you add moisture to dry soil? ›
Green and brown lawn clippings are both useful. Mulch – Cane, hay or other mulched plant matter helps to improve soil and retain moisture during dry times. Coir peat – a sustainable resource from coconut fibre. This retains moisture in garden soil and potting mix.
What can I add to potting soil to retain moisture? ›
Organic amendments like compost, manure, and peat moss have high water-holding capacity, acting as sponges that absorb and slowly release moisture to plant roots. Inorganic additives such as vermiculite and perlite create reservoirs within the soil, absorbing and holding water for plant uptake.
How to fix hydrophobic potting soil? ›
The simplest way to do this is to add extra organic matter such as well-rotted manure or compost, digging in a good amount to fix the immediate issue, and continuing to add smaller amounts throughout the year to maintain the soil's condition.
CPR for Drowning Plants
- Move the planter to a shady area, even if it is a full sun plant. ...
- Be sure the pot is draining. ...
- If possible, create additional air spaces around the root ball. ...
- If the plant isn't too large, repot into a different pot. ...
- Begin watering only when the surface of the soil is dry to the touch.
Soils with high amounts of organic matter can become hydrophobic when they dry out, meaning they repel water and are difficult to re-wet. This is a very common problem in containers where the water will drain out the bottom of a pot but does not saturate the soil, leaving the plant roots dry.
How do you fix too dry soil? ›
Dry soil can be easily improved by adding organic matter, such as well-rotted manure or garden compost. This will improve the soil structure and will help to retain moisture.
Can dried out potting soil be revived? ›
Rehydrate. Worn out potting soil used over and over again doesn't have many nutrients left for growing plants. Moisten both used and new dried out potting soil by adding water. The soil may be resistant and the water may run off.
How would you correct soil that doesn't retain water? ›
Add a layer of mulch, such as straw, leaves, wood chips and/or compost to the soil surface to hold moisture in the soil. Hard-packed clay and silty garden soils can also become crusted and resist wetting, allowing water to run off instead of absorbing it.
Can you fix hydrophobic potting soil? ›
The simplest way to do this is to add extra organic matter such as well-rotted manure or compost, digging in a good amount to fix the immediate issue, and continuing to add smaller amounts throughout the year to maintain the soil's condition.
How to fix compacted soil in pots? ›
Soil additives: You can improve your soil's aeration by adding elements such as peat moss, sand, perlite, and vermiculite, which make the potting mix less dense. Adding stones to the bottom of your container can also help drainage, improving the soil's aeration and adding humidity.
