Water is essential to a healthy, green lawn—but not all lawns use water equally. If your lawn seems to dry out quickly, even after a good rain or irrigation, your soil might be to blame. Want to know the solution to improve lawn water retention? Better soil structure and sometimes a little help from wetting agents. Let’s dive in!

What Are Wetting Agents?

Wetting agents, sometimes called soil surfactants, are products designed to improve the movement and retention of water in the soil. Over time, especially in compacted or sandy soils, water can begin to bead up and run off the surface instead of soaking in. Wetting agents break the surface tension of the water, allowing it to infiltrate the soil and reach your turf’s root zone more effectively.

These products are particularly helpful in:

• Drought-prone or sandy soils
• Lawns with hydrophobic (water-repelling) soil layers
• Areas where water tends to run off or pool

The Real Key for Water Retention: Organic Matter

While wetting agents are a great tool in the lawn care toolbox, the foundation of lasting water retention begins with the soil itself—specifically, its organic matter content.

Did you know? Adding just 1% more organic matter to your soil can increase its water-holding capacity by up to 20,000 gallons per acre.

That’s not just science—it’s savings. With improved water-holding capacity:

• You’ll need to irrigate less often, which conserves water and lowers utility bills.
• Your lawn becomes more resilient during droughts, heatwaves, or watering restrictions.
• You reduce the risk of runoff and nutrient leaching, keeping your lawn healthier and your local waterways cleaner.

How We Help Improve Soil Health

At Natural Tree and Lawn, we don’t believe in quick fixes. Our lawn care programs are built around the principle that healthy soil = healthy turf. We incorporate organic-based products, soil amendments, and aeration techniques that improve soil structure over time—boosting organic matter and enhancing your lawn’s ability to retain water.

For properties with persistent dry spots or shallow soils, we may recommend a targeted wetting agent application to help the water get where it needs to go. But our end goal is always long-term improvement of your lawn’s natural ability to thrive.

One standout tool we incorporate into improving soil health and water retention is biochar—a carbon-rich material that acts like a sponge in the soil. Biochar is highly porous, which means it can hold water and nutrients in the root zone far longer than typical soil alone. It also supports microbial activity, improves soil structure, and reduces nutrient leaching. As part of our Premium Lawn Program, Natural Tree and Lawn includes biochar applications to help supercharge your soil’s ability to retain moisture and support healthy, resilient turf. It’s a long-term investment in soil health with lasting benefits for your lawn and the environment.

Improve Your Lawn’s Water Retention

Whether it’s through smarter soil care, organic matter enhancement, or strategic use of wetting agents, we’re here to help your lawn use every drop of water more efficiently. Because with the right foundation beneath your grass, you don’t need to keep pouring more on top.

Want to improve your lawn’s water retention this season?
Give Natural Tree and Lawn a call at 781-297-3674—we’ll help you build healthier soil and a lawn that stays greener, longer. For additional lawn care tips, tricks, and expertise, please visit our blog!