Psssst. . . we've got a secret to share. Here's a new garden helper that allows you to cut your water use in half and still have great looking plants.

Save precious time, water and money. Get away for the weekend without worrying about the pots on the deck drying out. Busy at work, tied up with car pooling or just longing for a few free minutes? This will help. Professional growers have been relying on this innovative product for years to save time and work, and to reduce the stress plants suffer when their soil dries out.

Mix a little (just 1 teaspoon for an 8" pot) with your potting soil and plant as usual. Like a sponge, Soil Moist absorbs water and then releases it as the soil dries and your plants need moisture. Long lasting, it will reduce water needs for 3 to 4 growing seasons. The 3 oz. zippable pouch is sufficient for most gardeners' needs for an entire growing season.

Soil Moist is an acrylic polymer, non-toxic and safe for all gardening applications, including ones around food, children and pets. Recommended by many state Cooperative Extension departments, these granules resemble course pretzel salt until they absorb water and swell into little Jello-like globes the size of small peas. Then, as moisture is needed, they give up their precious water and shrink again to their original size.