What’s Soil Drench?

What’s Soil Drench?

Have you heard about soil drench?  What is it?  Why is it a service you should consider?  Learn more in today’s TrueTreeTalk blog post.

What is Soil Drench?

Soil drench is a process where liquids are applied to soil for the benefit of plants.  They can benefit grass, shrubs, trees and more.  They can be used to apply nutrients, biostimulants, pesticides, herbicides, and other things.  Some soil drenches you’ll see focus on nutrients, biostimulants, biological inoculants, and minerals.  These are the kinds we’ll focus on below.

What’s in a Soil Drench That Focuses on Nutrients, Biostimulants, Biological Inoculants, and Minerals?

What’s in these products will depend on the product being applied, but some things they might include are: humic acid, fulvic acid, extract made from seaweed, extract made from other plants, microorganisms that can be beneficial to plants, emulsions made from fish, humates, macro and micronutrients, minerals, biostimulants, and biological inoculants.

What are the Benefits of a Soil Drench as Described Above?

These types of soil drenches can have a number of positive benefits.  It will vary with the product, but somethings they can do include:

  Provide nutrients for plants

  Have nutrients that are slowly released

  Help plants absorb nutrients more efficiently

  Help plants deal with stress

  Help plants resist pests

  Help plants to tolerate salinity and drought

  Help the activity of organisms in the soil

  Improve the health of soil

  Help improve soil structure

  Improve the health of plants overall

  Help with growth of plants

  Help to regulate pH

  Help positive substances go to plant roots

  Help improve plant roots

  Help plants to absorb water

How are Soil Drenches Applied?

Although it will depend on the product and who is applying it, soil drenches can be sprayed on lawns and plants or poured at the base of plants.  The beneficial substances in them will be in a diluted water solution.

What are Somethings to Consider When Having Soil Drenches Applied?

There are some things to consider when having soil drenches applied.  These include the plants they are being applied for, the needs of the plants, the condition of the plants, the season, the reasons for applying a soil drench, and the specific soil drench being applied, what it contains, and the correct amount to apply.  A professional can help you select the right soil drench for your needs.

There are some other things to consider as well.  

First, the effects of having a soil drench can take time to show because the nutrients and other substances in them release slowly and can take time to be available for plants, although they can act more quickly than some other methods of application such as granules that release substances slowly over time.  

Second, the time of year can have an impact on the effectiveness of a soil drench.  Spring, when plants are starting their growing season, can be a great time to have one as the plants can absorb what is being applied as they start to grow.  The start of fall can also be a good time of year.  

Third, plants that have sufficient moisture can absorb a soil drench more effectively.  

Fourth, larger plants will take longer to fully absorb and use the substances in a soil drench than smaller ones.

Soil drenches can have a number of positive effects on the plants in your landscape.  If you would like to see about having a soil drench for your plants call ArborTrue at 832-980-8733 to schedule an appointment.