"Fran" wrote in message
...
I have water repellant soil due to drought conditions and am tempted to
use
a surfactant to help get water down deep into the soil.

I am hesitant to use any wetting agent as it may do long term damage to
soil
biota but if I don't I'm going to lose some some plants which are normally
as tough as old boots (such as roses) but which are now doing it tough
after
long years of drought.

The wetting agent I have in mind to use has the following ingredients:
Propylene glycol ethoxylate 90%
Nonyl phenol ethoxylate 10%

Does anyone know if these ingredients are dangerous to worms or other
forms
of soil life please?

Hi Fran,

Rather than a surfactant, have you thought about using a soaker hose to get
moisture into the soil?

Cheers

Nick
http://www.ukgardening.co.uk