Used by US Forestry Service and Recommended by Southern Living Magazine, also as featured on HGTV and Fox news.
A little water-absorbing polymer is better than no polymer at all.
Application rates vary due to type of soil, region and type of plant. Generally, clay soils require less polymer and sandy soils require more. Arid regions and areas subject to heat and drought require more polymer.
Wet, cool regions require less polymer, however polymers in these regions are very beneficial for planting on slopes. All rates are an approximation and with experience the gardener will determine the rates for their individual needs and conditions.
When applying dry water absorbing polymer, an important point is, more isn’t always better. The polymer should be worked into the ground to provide equal distribution.
Some polymer users have been known to plant annuals on top of an ample amount of polymer without working it in the soil, and after the first rain, find the plant out of the ground and a large lump of jello-like substance (hydrated polymer) in its' place. If hydrated polymer is allowed to remain above the ground, sunlight will hasten the breakdown to its primary elements of carbon dioxide, ammonia and water. Adding 10-15% of the small or powdered polymer in combination with medium or large polymer is recommended in most applications for optimal water storage.
TREES and SHRUBS
Use large 2-4mm polymer. 1 gal use 1/4 cup, 3 gal use ½ cup, 5 gal use ¾ cup 15 gal use 1 ½ cup. Dig hole at least three times the size of the container and incorporate polymer through out the area. After planting, create a dam around the tree or if on a slope leave the top side open to collect water thus allowing a water reservoir to be readily absorbed by polymer. (1/4 cup = 2 oz. Polymer)
LAWNS
Use Large 2-4mm or Medium 1-2mm polymer. For application before sodding, 4-5 pounds per 1,000 square feet tilled 1-2" deep or 5 pounds tilled 4-6" deep. Application can be either by hand or a lawn spreader. Never use more than 5 pounds per 1,000 square feet tilled only one inch, as prolonged sponginess may occur. After first rain, hydrated polymer may appear and the sod may seem loose. However, the exposed polymer will dissolve and after the roots grow from the sod, the looseness will dissipate.
VEGETABLES and BEDS
Use Medium 1-2 mm or Large 2-4mm polymer. 12-45 pounds per 1,000 square feet at 4-6" depth cultivation. Use less for drier plants and more for moisture loving plants. After planting, a good coat of mulch will dress up the bed and cover any loose polymer, thus giving a finished look and protecting the polymer from premature degradation by sunlight.
POTTED PLANTS
Use small 0.8-1.0mm or medium 1-2mm or polymer. 4" pot 1/6 tsp., 6" pot 1 tsp., 8" pot 2 tsp., 10" pot 3 tsp. When potting, it is best to have most of the polymer toward the bottom of the pot so it will better absorb available water. If applying hydrated polymer, use 4 parts soil to 1 part hydrated polymer.
BARE ROOT
Use Powder polymer.
Wet application: dip moist roots into dry polymer, which allows instant hydration when watered thus coating and protecting roots.
Wet application: 2TBS per gallon water or until gel is a thick slurry. Dip roots into gel to keep moist for planting, then add appropriate amount of larger polymer to hole for water retention. Powdered polymer is short lived (6 months-1 year) and used for bare rooting, seed coating and some potting soils where moisture retention is critical to the survival of the transplanting and germination.
