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It prevents the plants from stressing out seeking for water but, I he roots actually become strong. Make sure you use more water based feet’s/products hydration might help absorb it, including fungicides.
Hey Brian. Awesome content as usual. Huge fan but i totally disagree with you on this one. Reel mow your sand leveled putting green and of course you will always be under drought and moisture stress. These polymers or wetting agents are very $ and are truly designed for golf courses. IMO quality compost, organic matter, kelp sprayers, and biochar are all easy ways to increase moisture retention in turf. You have to get up to 3-4% organic content for healthy soil. I personally see this hydretain as an expensive gimmick and any temporary results would have been more cheaply achieved by routine applications of organic matter. Although I haven’t researched the long term effect, why question what adding a chemical polymer will do long term to your hard won soil biology?
you bring up valid counter arguments for sure and I fully agree that this stuff starts teetering away from the natural lawn care practices that I aim for. I've said before that I don't think Hydretain is safe or natural enough for me to use in our vegetable garden but so far I've been ok using it in the lawn...especially since I have lived in drought stricken territory for so long (this past wet winter being the exception). If I lived in places where regular rain was more reliable then I might start shying away from it too. I have no doubt though that it works. I used it last July on my Phil's lawn project; never made a video about it (wish I did) but it was the only way that baby grass was able to get through late June through early August. Phil told me after we applied the stuff to his new lawn that he thought it was magic juice because of the way the baby grass stopped dying off once the hydretain was on the lawn. Long term yes, higher cec soils topdressed periodically with organic material with dialed in watering practices and regular modest applications of biochar and humic and michorizae will do wonders but for short term help that stuff is magic juice.
wetting agents are that expensive. You can purchase 5 gallons of Primer Select for 220. 2oz per 1ksqft application will make your Primer last a very long time and will for itself with the reduced watering.
If you already own it have fun with it and run an experiment. Use it everywhere expect a portion of your yard. If you don't feel like it provides a substantial difference in that area then use it on only a small portion of your yard or none at all. Last season I used it on my Phil's lawn project lawn in late July and that use reminded me very quickly how well the product works. Sometimes dedicated experiments are the best way to understand how a product works or doesn't work.
Since you have it, like I said to stash, find a sunny dry area of your lawn and don't apy it to half of that spot while applying to tge rest of the surrounding area. After a while you'll have a clear indication of whether or not it's helping you out enough to keep using.
If I were to use 9oz of concentrate then how much water should I use to dilute it when using The Andersons Refillable Multipurpose Hose-End Sprayer 32oz ?
If it were me I'd fill the sprayer up the rest of the way with water and do one tank per every 1000 square feet. This stuff works best when carried into the soil with a bunch of water. The hose water will carry it well especially if you dilute it well in the sprayer.
that border was in the lawn when I moved into this house last Fall. I'm going to be pulling it out soon and replacing t with a better border. Not a DIY job though, I'm having a concrete guy come do it to match the rest of the concrete borders around the front of the house. Long story short though you just need to trench in a flat garden border or even a wide board - think a 2x6 or a 8" 5/4 fence board end to end. The width of the material turns into a depth of border helping to stop the lateral spread of underground rhizomes form one yard to the neighboring space. I sunk 12" paver stones into my last lawn in Oregon to separate the lawn from our garden; this stopped the KBG in the lawn from invading the garden pathways.
Good morning Brian. I'm just curious about something. Are you growing cool season or warm season grass in your new location? Also, will hydratain help compacted soil to loosen up? Final question. What is the best time to apply your concoction? Thanks
Hey Ray, I'm slowly transitioning to warm season out front and cool in back. Back yard is the last phase at this time though as we're doing lots of home reno projects at the same time and the grass has to come last. I wouldn't expect hydretain to loosen up compacted soil. It does have some soil penetratration properties as it's supposed to work below the surface of soil but it's not liquid aeration. As for timing I'm applying mid spring just as days are starting to get long and right after watering the lawn. Next week my temps are in the 80s so I'm hydretaining just prior to hotter temps. Morning is probably a slightly better but probably not a big deal if you water it in right after applying. As for michoriza you want to apply that before it's super hot so spring is probably better than summer.
Good question and my answer would be no. It would probably be a fair additive for microbial food in the soil but the yeast used in beer making is very different than michoriza that I'm adding. The michorizal network is something very mysterious in nature, if you start researching deep into this rabbit hole you'll find yourself getting into the trees talking to other trees because they are both connected by the same michorizal network. In organic gardening circles michoriza is widely used and I like to remind viewers all the time that lawns are just another ornamental plant so the techniques of gardening apply to our lawns as well.
If you are going to use the stuff make sure to use it correctly. Many people skip the water prior to application or after. Do both. as for the additives micorrizae is expensive and a tiny bit goes a long way. Don't buy a ton, just a bit here and there. Have fun with it!
It's roughly 6.5 oz per 1000 square feet. The gallon jug (128 oz) is labeled for 20k sqft coverage. I'd mix roughly 6.5 oz per gallon and spray. Just make sure to water in very well after applying, it won't work well if not watered in deep.
@@TurfMechanicthe video said only a 1/10” water in after. This comment says water in deep after. Which is correct? Also. How often and when can this routine be applied during the season?
I threw my roof box in the shed. Way too much wind resistance. I drove tye Honda Pilot to Florida Disneyland from S. Ontario Canada & the e fuel economy was horrrrrrrrrible, so I got a rear rack. Hooks into the hitch, and holy moly man, the difference is 90% better to ge non scientific.
The relationship that trees & plants have with Mycorrhiza Fungi is called a symbiotic relationship (they help each other). Also mycorrhizal fungi is one of the largest organisms on earth , they can spread out for miles.
It's really fascinating stuff! I really hope to learn a lot more about this side of plant care over the next 12 months or so especially as we start planning to rebuild our garden here at the new place.
Your video piqued my interest in mycorrhiza fungi for my lawn. Using the link you provided I ordered the Plant Success product. I noticed that you used a very small amount of the water soluble powder for your sprayer application but on the packaging it says that 2 teaspoons will only cover 12 sqft of lawn. I contacted Plant Success about the application for 1,000 sqft of lawn and this is their reply. Hi Dalton, You will need roughly 2 lbs. of Plant Success Soluble spread evenly over the 1,000 ft2. Thanks! Jim At $20.00 for a 4oz packet it would cost $160.00 per 1,000 sqft. In a different video you featured Wildroot Organic mycorrhizae. Their 1oz packet covers 2500-5000 sqft. Additionally, Wildroot sells a lawn fertilizer which contains mycorrhiza fungi. This the link to the Wildroot Amazon store. www.amazon.com/stores/WildrootOrganic/page/AA1212D2-E6E3-4B04-BFA6-5F589919196A?ref_=ast_bln
►►► Want to fix your lawn for the long haul but don't know where to start? I can help! Click here right now and get started today: turfmech.link/dont-know-where-to-start ◄◄◄
Yep I’ve had good luck with …hydro, Humic acid, sea kelp, and molasses
Would putting down Propiconazole and other lawn fungus preventions/cure kill off this fungus?
It prevents the plants from stressing out seeking for water but, I he roots actually become strong. Make sure you use more water based feet’s/products hydration might help absorb it, including fungicides.
Hey Brian. Awesome content as usual. Huge fan but i totally disagree with you on this one.
Reel mow your sand leveled putting green and of course you will always be under drought and moisture stress.
These polymers or wetting agents are very $ and are truly designed for golf courses.
IMO quality compost, organic matter, kelp sprayers, and biochar are all easy ways to increase moisture retention in turf. You have to get up to 3-4% organic content for healthy soil.
I personally see this hydretain as an expensive gimmick and any temporary results would have been more cheaply achieved by routine applications of organic matter.
Although I haven’t researched the long term effect, why question what adding a chemical polymer will do long term to your hard won soil biology?
you bring up valid counter arguments for sure and I fully agree that this stuff starts teetering away from the natural lawn care practices that I aim for. I've said before that I don't think Hydretain is safe or natural enough for me to use in our vegetable garden but so far I've been ok using it in the lawn...especially since I have lived in drought stricken territory for so long (this past wet winter being the exception). If I lived in places where regular rain was more reliable then I might start shying away from it too. I have no doubt though that it works. I used it last July on my Phil's lawn project; never made a video about it (wish I did) but it was the only way that baby grass was able to get through late June through early August. Phil told me after we applied the stuff to his new lawn that he thought it was magic juice because of the way the baby grass stopped dying off once the hydretain was on the lawn. Long term yes, higher cec soils topdressed periodically with organic material with dialed in watering practices and regular modest applications of biochar and humic and michorizae will do wonders but for short term help that stuff is magic juice.
wetting agents are that expensive. You can purchase 5 gallons of Primer Select for 220. 2oz per 1ksqft application will make your Primer last a very long time and will for itself with the reduced watering.
Great video, you mentioned aerating, do you rent a unit or is there another option you like?
I’ve used this the last two years, still no idea if it worked.
Same thought here. Going to keep using it since I have it but can’t honestly say it helps or doesn’t.
If you already own it have fun with it and run an experiment. Use it everywhere expect a portion of your yard. If you don't feel like it provides a substantial difference in that area then use it on only a small portion of your yard or none at all. Last season I used it on my Phil's lawn project lawn in late July and that use reminded me very quickly how well the product works. Sometimes dedicated experiments are the best way to understand how a product works or doesn't work.
Since you have it, like I said to stash, find a sunny dry area of your lawn and don't apy it to half of that spot while applying to tge rest of the surrounding area. After a while you'll have a clear indication of whether or not it's helping you out enough to keep using.
I’ve done some minor experiments with plants and they both died on me at the same rate. I attribute that more to having a brown thumb though lol
Ha! Well 'nuf said :D
If I were to use 9oz of concentrate then how much water should I use to dilute it when using The Andersons Refillable Multipurpose Hose-End Sprayer 32oz ?
If it were me I'd fill the sprayer up the rest of the way with water and do one tank per every 1000 square feet. This stuff works best when carried into the soil with a bunch of water. The hose water will carry it well especially if you dilute it well in the sprayer.
Huh, Hydretain eh...
can you show me how to build a grass border edge between you and your neighbor? i need that
that border was in the lawn when I moved into this house last Fall. I'm going to be pulling it out soon and replacing t with a better border. Not a DIY job though, I'm having a concrete guy come do it to match the rest of the concrete borders around the front of the house. Long story short though you just need to trench in a flat garden border or even a wide board - think a 2x6 or a 8" 5/4 fence board end to end. The width of the material turns into a depth of border helping to stop the lateral spread of underground rhizomes form one yard to the neighboring space. I sunk 12" paver stones into my last lawn in Oregon to separate the lawn from our garden; this stopped the KBG in the lawn from invading the garden pathways.
Good morning Brian. I'm just curious about something. Are you growing cool season or warm season grass in your new location? Also, will hydratain help compacted soil to loosen up? Final question. What is the best time to apply your concoction? Thanks
Sometimes
Hey Ray, I'm slowly transitioning to warm season out front and cool in back. Back yard is the last phase at this time though as we're doing lots of home reno projects at the same time and the grass has to come last. I wouldn't expect hydretain to loosen up compacted soil. It does have some soil penetratration properties as it's supposed to work below the surface of soil but it's not liquid aeration. As for timing I'm applying mid spring just as days are starting to get long and right after watering the lawn. Next week my temps are in the 80s so I'm hydretaining just prior to hotter temps. Morning is probably a slightly better but probably not a big deal if you water it in right after applying. As for michoriza you want to apply that before it's super hot so spring is probably better than summer.
@@TurfMechanic Thank you! Our lawn you helped me with from two years ago is beautiful! I will keep following your tutorials.
So would beer act as fungi?
Good question and my answer would be no. It would probably be a fair additive for microbial food in the soil but the yeast used in beer making is very different than michoriza that I'm adding. The michorizal network is something very mysterious in nature, if you start researching deep into this rabbit hole you'll find yourself getting into the trees talking to other trees because they are both connected by the same michorizal network. In organic gardening circles michoriza is widely used and I like to remind viewers all the time that lawns are just another ornamental plant so the techniques of gardening apply to our lawns as well.
Looking at your lawn I cant take you seriously. Seriously.
Thx Brian, def going to be part of my program!
When
If you are going to use the stuff make sure to use it correctly. Many people skip the water prior to application or after. Do both. as for the additives micorrizae is expensive and a tiny bit goes a long way. Don't buy a ton, just a bit here and there. Have fun with it!
How much liquid hydratain you added per gallon? And how much SQFT does a gallon of mixed hydratain cover?
I’ve been looking all over for this answer.
It's roughly 6.5 oz per 1000 square feet. The gallon jug (128 oz) is labeled for 20k sqft coverage. I'd mix roughly 6.5 oz per gallon and spray. Just make sure to water in very well after applying, it won't work well if not watered in deep.
@@TurfMechanicthe video said only a 1/10” water in after. This comment says water in deep after. Which is correct?
Also. How often and when can this routine be applied during the season?
I threw my roof box in the shed. Way too much wind resistance. I drove tye Honda Pilot to Florida Disneyland from S. Ontario Canada & the e fuel economy was horrrrrrrrrible, so I got a rear rack. Hooks into the hitch, and holy moly man, the difference is 90% better to ge non scientific.
Wut.
The relationship that trees & plants have with Mycorrhiza Fungi is called a symbiotic relationship (they help each other).
Also mycorrhizal fungi is one of the largest organisms on earth , they can spread out for miles.
It's really fascinating stuff! I really hope to learn a lot more about this side of plant care over the next 12 months or so especially as we start planning to rebuild our garden here at the new place.
It is in fact the largest living organism, not one of the biggest. Oregon is where it lives, and it takes up 1\3 of the state.
@@BigWesLawns
Lol,
It lives in Oregon , ok I won’t attempt to put your words right 😆.
Your video piqued my interest in mycorrhiza fungi for my lawn. Using the link you provided I ordered the Plant Success product. I noticed that you used a very small amount of the water soluble powder for your sprayer application but on the packaging it says that 2 teaspoons will only cover 12 sqft of lawn. I contacted Plant Success about the application for 1,000 sqft of lawn and this is their reply.
Hi Dalton,
You will need roughly 2 lbs. of Plant Success Soluble spread evenly over the 1,000 ft2.
Thanks!
Jim
At $20.00 for a 4oz packet it would cost $160.00 per 1,000 sqft.
In a different video you featured Wildroot Organic mycorrhizae. Their 1oz packet covers 2500-5000 sqft. Additionally, Wildroot sells a lawn fertilizer which contains mycorrhiza fungi. This the link to the Wildroot Amazon store.
www.amazon.com/stores/WildrootOrganic/page/AA1212D2-E6E3-4B04-BFA6-5F589919196A?ref_=ast_bln