Whilst on Facebook I came across this video about using the crystals in diapers (nappies) as a water holding gel. It really is clever actually, and I'm thinking about trying it out to grow seeds as well as adding to soil that is of poor quality and really dry 60cm and deeper. It is a cheap alternative to soil retention stuff you buy.
I reckon this would be perfect for getting native seedlings started if the gel was planted deeper than the root system as well as for generally improving the soil's condition.
http://isavea2z/videos/789331277770863
How many ideas can you come up with by watching this video?
One idea I came up with is to avoid using diapers for any sort of gardening. I've had wonderful success planting native seedlings after the first good rain in autumn & wouldn't want to risk adding chemicals from diapers to the soil or depleting my bank balance by buying something which, for me, would be quite unnecessary. Also, it was interesting reading the comments on the video. I've also heard that chemicals in the gel are quite harmful. And what happens to the chemicals in the rest of the diapers after the've been disposed of? No, I'll stay with what has worked for me & my plants.
most of the water retention gels you can buy are a gimmick anyway
plants are often incapable of extracting the water as it's too tightly bound in the molecule of the substance.