Technical Abstract: n semi-arid environments, soil water repellency can contribute to reseeding failure by reducing soil moisture availability and site stability. Non-ionic soil surfactants (wetting agents) have been shown to be effective in ameliorating soil water repellency; however, their application in wildland ecosystems can be logistically and economically prohibitive. In this study we evaluated an economical and innovative solution for applying soil surfactants using seed coating technology. The objectives of this research were to 1) establish the efficacy of a surfactant seed coating (SSC) in ameliorating soil water repellency, and 2) determine the influence of SSC on seedling emergence and plant survival. To accomplish the first objective, detailed soil column experiments were conducted in the laboratory on water repellent soil obtained from a burned pinyon-juniper woodland. Upon the same soil, the second objective was met through greenhouse testing of SSC on crested wheatgrass and bluebunch wheatgrass seed. Results indicate that SSC increased soil infiltration, percolation, and moisture retention. This technology had no influence on seedling emergence for crested wheatgrass, but SSC improved bluebunch wheatgrass emergence threefold. Plant survival was dramatically improved by the SSC. At the conclusion of the study, the majority of the emerged non-coated seeds had desiccated, while 37 % of the plants survived in the SSC treatment. Overall, these results indicate that it may be plausible for SSC(s) to improve post-fire reseeding success. Future research is needed to confirm these findings in the field to determine if SSC technology should be recommended as a post-fire restoration treatment.