University Turf Research Shows Benefits of New Residential Soil Wetting Agents
Home gardener concerns about droughts and watering bans remain high as heat domes happen throughout the nation this summer. Despite these concerns, many homeowners say they are largely unaware of water-saving products for their lawns and gardens, according to a new study from Axiom.
“Concerns about keeping lawns and garden plants alive are high,” says Mike Reiber, CEO of Axiom, a Minneapolis-based market research firm that measures consumer attitudes on home and garden topics. “Home gardeners are keenly interested in identifying solutions during summer droughts and watering bans.”
Key findings in the newly released 2025 report include:
- 2 of 3 respondents are concerned about their lawns and garden plants being damaged or dying during droughts and watering bans.
- 4 in 5 respondents are highly interested in products that can reduce the amount of water they need to apply on their lawns and gardens.
- 6 in 10 respondents are unaware of lawn and garden products that will reduce the amount of water they need to apply to their lawns and gardens.
A recent turf study completed by the University of California Riverside shows how a new generation of soil wetting agents formulated for home gardeners can help save water. The study led by Dr. James Baird evaluated the effectiveness of turf care products for maintaining or improving the quality of bermuda grass under deficit irrigation conditions. In the test, Baird and his team reduced the amount of water used to irrigate test plots by 20% and 40% of the normal irrigation needed throughout the months of July, August, September and October. Throughout this period, Baird’s team assessed visual turf quality on a 9-point scale as well as turf color and turf density.
Baird’s most recent test included two different formulations of new residential soil wetting agent now available to homeowners. Results demonstrated significantly higher turf quality, color and density when compared to untreated bermuda grass under 20-40% irrigation reduction. Because of this, Baird believes these formulations can potentially save up to 40% of the water normally used to irrigate turf depending on the desired level of quality and playability.
The formulations were developed by Aqua-Drive Residential, a subsidiary of Utah-based Diamond K Gypsum which makes agricultural soil amendment products. “Soil wetting agents are widely used in agriculture and sports turf to increase water penetration and distribution in the soil,” says Mason Allred, Aqua-Drive marketing manager. “We’ve formulated Aqua-Drive Residential specifically for lawns and gardens.” According to Allred, Aqua-Drive products are now available at: Amazon.com, Walmart.com and IFA Country Stores.
For more information:
Axiom 2025 Report
UC Riverside Report
Aqua-Drive Residential
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250624789734/en/
Contacts
Mike Reiber
mreiber@axiomcom.com
