[catllar]

As we have had no rain here since November I can see a water ban coming up very soon so I thought about water retaining granules  for my containers. I can't find it here in France, so  am thinking of asking family to fetch some over for me, but am wondering if any of you experienced folk have used it? Any opinions please? And what name is it sold under?? Thanks

[Yorkie]

I've used it and I think it made a difference (difficult to prove without a control sample!).

Make sure you add it to the compost / water it before making up hanging baskets in particular, or they expand in the pot and push things out the top!

The original brand wasSwell Gel but there are many other water storing granules available now.

Make sure you mulch well, to minimise water loss too.

[catllar]

Thanks Yorkie, good tip about watering it first, hadn't thought of that! Now just to source some.

[Yorkie]

Widely available on Amazon, and I rather think most garden centres will stock something.  It partly depends on the quantities you want.

[viettaclark]

I notice that Lidls, as well as other places, are selling troughs and pots with "wells" for water now. They've got a simple indicator to tell you how much water is in the well.
I've bought a couple but the depth for soil is quite shallow so only suitable for some plants.

[catllar]

Thanks very much folks