If you’ve ever wondered how the iconic Wimbledon lawns remain so lush and green, I’m about to let you into a little secret. Wimbledon groundskeepers use a wetting agent (which you can pick up for under £20 on Amazon) to keep lawns hydrated and fresh, even in hot weather.
Every year, while watching the tennis, I can’t help but admire how the Wimbledon gardeners create such luscious displays, whatever the weather. I need their lawn ideas, and I need them to know.
But one thing I do know is that Wimbledon gardeners use a wetting agent, a formula that helps water soak more effectively into soil, boosting your chances of a healthy, green lawn in hot weather. While the exact wetting agent Wimbledon uses is likely to be top secret, here’s how the expert recommends you use one in your garden.
What is a wetting agent?
Neil Stubley, Wimbledon’s Head of Courts and Horticulture, told The Guardian last year about the use of wetting agents on the grounds.
‘It sounds a weird term but it makes water wetter. The surface tension of a water molecule, a plant root system, at a certain point, can’t penetrate it as the moisture gets smaller, because the surface tension is more. We can adjust that so that actually a plant root can tap into that water,’ he told the newspaper.
The reason Neil and his team opted for a wetting agent was to try to reduce water bills and tackle rising temperatures. Given that we’ve had record-breaking heat this year, could a wetting agent be the key to reviving a dry lawn?
‘A wetting agent is a chemical that reduces the surface tension of water. When applied to soil, it helps rain and water penetrate the turf and spread more efficiently,’ explains Jonathan Davis, a grass expert at Lawnsmith.
‘A perfect example of water’s surface tension at play is the old party trick where you balance a coin on top of a glass of water. And when you put a drop of washing up liquid in the water, the surface tension breaks and the coin immediately sinks.
‘Water can sometimes just run off soil, especially when the ground is dry and hard. By disrupting the water’s surface tension, a wetting agent immediately allows it to filter down through the soil, right to the roots where it’s most needed.’
Should you use a wetting agent this summer?
If you’ve been looking for ways to keep your lawn alive in a heatwave, a wetting agent can be a good idea, experts say.
‘It is recommended to use a wetting agent on your lawn during hot summers. This is because it can make watering more efficient and help to prevent heat stress. During warm weather, soil can harden and begin to repel water, leading it to run off instead of sinking in,’ says Richard Barker, horticultural expert and commercial director of LBS Horticulture.
‘A wetting agent can help to prevent this by allowing water to penetrate the soil, and when water can reach deeper into the soil, it can encourage deeper roots to develop to help your lawn survive through and recover from droughts. It is best to apply the wetting agent as a preventative before hot weather, but it can still be used during a heatwave to revive areas.’
Jonathan points out that the recent hosepipe bans and the expectation of more hot weather to come mean it is a good idea to use a wetting agent this summer. However, he warns that timing is key.
‘I’d recommend using a wetting agent to prepare your lawn for dry, summer conditions, supporting its hydration ahead of warmer weather,’ he says.
‘To get the best out of your product, apply it to your turf before watering or rainfall. Add it to the whole lawn or just to patches that need it.
‘If just treating specific dry areas, spread it further than the initial patch to ensure thorough coverage.’
Shop wetting agents
STRIKING LAWNS
Premium Lawn Wetting Agent by Striking Lawns®
Reviews say this agent is easy to use and great in drought conditions.
Miracle-Gro
Miracle-Gro Water Storage Gel
Add this water storage gel to pots and hanging baskets. The gel retains water to esure your plant gets what it needs.
Garden Lawncare Guy
Liquid Wetting Agent for Lawns & Plants – 500ml Covers 500m²
This wetting agent covers 500m² and can be used all year round. Say goodbye to brown lawns for good.
Would you try a wetting agent to achieve that luscious Wimbledon lawn? Or do you have different tricks up your sleeve for keeping grass green and hydrated?
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