EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Soil water retention is essential to life. It provides an ongoing supply of water to plants between periods of replenishment (infiltration), so as to allow their continued growth and survival.

Detailed explanation-2: -Soil water retention is a major soil hydraulic property that governs soil functioning in ecosystems and greatly affects soil management. Soil moisture forms a major buffer against flooding, and water capacity in subsoil is a major steering factor for plant growth.

Detailed explanation-3: -Stronger plants grow from soil with improved water retention. This is because, when soil is thicker and rightly packed, plants can extend deeper, thicker, and healthier roots. That means they can stand up to unpredictable weather, as well as grow taller and produce larger fruits, vegetables, and seeds.

Detailed explanation-4: -Cover your soil with a blanket of organic material such as straw, leaves, shredded paper or cardboard, or bark. This will moderate soil temperature, prevent runoff and evaporation, and hold moisture in the for longer periods between waterings.

Detailed explanation-5: -Water retention is the ability of soil to hold water and supply it to plants in your garden when it’s needed by your various vegetables, flowers, fruits, and other plants. Proper water retention is particularly important in otherwise dry, hot, sunny environments.