They also work real well in the ground if you have a difficult spot. I had an area under the eves in dry shade. The dirt was like dust and repelled water, I tried many times to plant in there but everything died. I would add compost and it still would not hold water. I fixed it by digging out holes about 18 inches deep and 4 inches wide, I used a bulb planter to do the digging. I then put in the expanded polymer crystals and topped with 2 inches of soil. And I planted next to the filled holes. It allowed the water to be absorbed at root level and then the roots found the crystals and now I have a very nice garden in there. Once the soil was hydrated below the surface all was well. And my worms moved in.
I too made the mistake of not expanding first, what a mess.
