By Mary H. Dyer, Master Naturalist and Master Gardener If you’re a home gardener who spends any time browsing in garden centers or on the Internet, you’ve probably seen products that contain water retention crystals, soil moisture crystals or moisture beads for soil, which are all just different terms for hydrogels. Questions that may come to mind are, “What are hydrogels?” and “Do water crystals in potting soil really work?” Read on to find out more. What are Hydrogels? Hydrogels are small chunks (or crystals) of man-made, water-absorbing polymers. The chunks are like sponges – they hold a tremendous amount of water in comparison to their size. The liquid is then released gradually into the soil. Various types of hydrogels are also used in a number of products, including bandages and wound dressings for burns. They are also what makes disposable baby diapers so absorbent. Do Water Crystals in Potting
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