How to Keep Your Lawn from Drying Out with Hydretain

When is the dry period in Florida?

Florida experiences a dry period in May and early June. The heat combined with the lack of rain makes it especially harsh on lawns. If your neighborhood has levied watering restrictions due to those conditions, then your lawn is more susceptible to drying out. Even if you live in an area that has reclaim water or no watering restrictions, you might be out there watering your lawn nearly every day due to that heat and lack of rain. This is where Hydretain comes in! Hydretain will save you the headache of constant watering and the heartache of watching your hard work fry in the sun.

How does Hydretain work?

Hydretain works by converting the humidity surrounding your grass and plants into usable water droplets and attaching said droplets to their root systems. It allows plants and grass to access moisture that would otherwise evaporate. Since Florida experiences a lot of humidity, this makes Hydretain that much more efficient at keeping your lawn healthy and hydrated. 

Photo Credit: Hydretain

Hydretain is unlike other soil moisture managers. It is not a wetting agent, surfactant, or polymer gel. Wetting agents make it easier for water to move in coarse soil by reducing the water’s surface tension. Surfactants make water and other solutions stick to surfaces more effectively. Polymer gels are super absorbent and are very efficient at storing water. While these three things are good in their own ways, they are not the best suited for treating and hydrating grass during periods of drought. Hydretain is unique in that it creates new moisture for the plants and grass to draw from rather than just using existing water. In times of drought, this trait is especially useful.

Photo Credit: Hydretain

How do I use Hydretain?

Hydretain can be used in two different ways: as a granule or as a hose-attachment spray. Both are equally effective at helping your lawn; it just comes down to personal preference. Granules can either be spread by hand or by using a spreading tool. For lawn spreading, make sure you follow the chart for the recommended settings on your specific spreader. Then, spread the product evenly over your lawn, using about 2.5-3 lb. per 1,000 sq. ft. of the grass. If you plan to mow on the same day, it is recommended that you do so before you spread, as that increases the rate of penetration for Hydretain as it has less grass obscuring it when you water it in. If you do mow after spreading Hydretain, make sure you water it in first, then wait about an hour for it to settle before mowing. When watering the product in, make sure you run your sprinklers for about 15 minutes to help the Hydretain penetrate and settle into the soil. If you lack sprinklers or irrigation, use your hose to give your lawn a nice, even coat of water.

You can also use Hydretain granules in your garden beds and containers. For existing garden beds, it is recommended that you spread 1 lb. per 100 sq. ft. of garden bed. Water it in for about 15 minutes after spreading. For container plants, use 1 lb. per cubic foot of area in the container. Hydretain can either be mixed into the soil before planting or spread topically afterwards.

The hose-end attachment sprayer is just as effective for your lawn and garden as the granules. If you choose to use the spray, make sure the soil is damp before you apply Hydretain to it. For lawns, spray the product in broad strokes for even coverage. After spraying, make sure to water it in for about 15 minutes with your sprinklers. If you lack sprinklers or irrigation, detach the Hydretain and use plain water to help the product penetrate. One quart of Hydretain covers about 2,500-5,000 sq. ft. depending on the spray method.

The Hydretain spray can also be used in garden beds and containers. Drench the plants’ root zones thoroughly with the product to ensure maximum coverage. Rinse off the plants with plain water to make sure residual product gets into the soil. Douse the soil lightly with plain water to encourage further penetration. 

What fertilizer should I use with Hydretain?

Some fertilizers that are great to use with Hydretain are Fertilome Classic Lawn Food and NitroOrganic Fertilizer. During the dry period, the temperatures are too hot to put down regular fast release fertilizers. Thankfully, both Fertilome Classic and NitroOrganic are perfect to use during this period. They are slow release fertilizers, meaning they release their nutrients over time at a slow rate. This prevents the grass from getting burned, since releasing nutrients too fast will burn the grass under hot temperatures. Both fertilizers are safe to use on any type of grass, be it St. Augustine, Bermuda, Bahia, Zoysia, or many others.

Fertilome Classic is perfect for lawns that are looking for some serious greening without the fear of burning the grass. Its NPK ratio is 16-0-8, meaning it has a high amount of Nitrogen (N) to green your grass and a decent amount of Potassium (K) to strengthen its roots. It is great to use in conjunction with Hydretain, as you’ll see the grass green up very well as it gets both the water and the food it needs.

NitroOrganic is a gentle and organic alternative to Fertilome Classic. Many gardeners prize this product for its ease of use, as its low NPK of 4-3-0 is especially gentle on lawns and gardens alike. Unlike Classic, NitroOrganic can be spread on both lawns and garden beds as fertilizer. It is available in both a large bag and a small bag.