Water crystals are polymer-based crystals that absorb and slowly release water, acting like tiny sponges in the soil. They’re especially useful in containers, raised beds, and sandy soils where water ...

Then you’ll use water stored in the hydrogels to grow new plants. Water-loving hydrogel beads swell when they absorb water and shrink when they release it. Credit: Kathy Ceceri Start your ...

In his backyard, Bidyut Das captured how water beads up and rolls off the leaves of the taro plant (Colocasia esculenta). Water droplets don’t adhere to the leaves of this plant for two reasons.