How to Prevent Shallow Roots

Maintain a well-drained soil. Compact soil cannot accept or release water. Break up compacted soil using a rototiller or claw rake. Add compost or mulch to the soil to create a nutrient-rich soil. Add worms to aerate the soil and churn the deeper levels of soil.

Add proper amounts of fertilizer to the soil during late summer and early autumn. Too much nitrogen or fertilizing earlier allows shallow root development as the roots remain near the top of the soil as they develop.

Dethatch the ground around plants and in the yard. Thatch is a buildup of grass roots and stems found near the soil. Thatch restricts the movement of moisture deeper into the soil and forces roots to remain near the top to receive moisture. Aerate the soil with power rakes, core aerators or allow worms to dig into the soil.

Locate the current root depth of plants and trees you are working with. Dig down until you are underneath the root system. This will be the depth where water must reach to maintain the current root level. Make the roots go deeper by moving the moisture level deeper.

Irrigate the soil to a depth of at least 6 inches. This allows moisture to reach the deeper roots and prevents shallow roots from draining moisture before it has a chance to move farther into the soil. Depending on your soil type, a range of between 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches of water a week is required.

Weed frequently to remove shallow rooting plants. Weed roots stays at the subsurface to gain access to new rainfall and crowd out competing root systems.

Add mulch to the surface over topsoil. The mulch holds moisture to prevent it from evaporating before it has the chance to get into the soil.

Install root barriers around trees and shrubs to force roots deeper into the soil. Keep roots away from surface water sources and pipes because the roots will seek these out.