We aren't always working in the best conditions for gardening or growing turf. We've often got to make do with the soil that we're given or spend a lot of money to have different soil brought in. There are ways, though, to improve the conditions of less than desirable soil to make it retain more or less water as needed.

Water retention in soil happens two ways. When water reaches the soil, it coats the dirt particles with a thin film of water. Then all the spaces between the dirt particles are filled up by water. In an ideal situation, when you water your plants or turf or when it rains, the water seeps slowly but continuously through the gaps between particles. A gentle trickle of water is created so that plant roots may get the moisture they need without being flooded for extended periods of time.

Using Soil Amendments for Better Water Retention

You can add soil amendments to soil to alter the physical properties to suit your water retention needs. If you have sandy soil, it probably provides good aeration and is very permeable, but doesn't retain water or nutrients very well. Clay soil retains water and nutrients well, but is not sufficiently porous to allow water to flow appropriately.

With soil amendments, you can create a good mixture to allow for the right amount of water retention and the proper amount of aeration. For sandy soils, amending the soil with compost or aged manure will help to retain water and nutrients. For clay soil, mixing wood chips, bark or peat in will help provide aeration for water to flow easier.