Your soil may look dry, dusty and perfectly ordinary, yet water can behave like it just spotted a puddle at a fancy party. Instead of soaking into the ground, water beads on top, runs away or disappears through a few cracks while nearby plants still sit thirsty.
Hydrophobic soil often develops when organic compounds coat soil particles and make them repel water. Wildfire damage, prolonged drought, decomposing plant material and certain soil conditions can all contribute, but the symptoms usually show up in the garden first. Spotting the problem early can help gardeners correct water movement before plants struggle, fertilizer washes away or irrigation turns into an expensive exercise in watering the sidewalk.
