Can anyone tell me whether water retaining mats are any good for veg container growing???

Sorry Shelle, can't help with your query but will watch to see the answer. Didn't see those at my local store either.

According to Lidl online it is on offer from monday (05.03)

see: http://www.lidl.co.uk/uk/home.nsf/pa...305.index.ar10

Never triefd them Shelle. I think they are designed for Hanging baskets aren't they which are harder to keep watered. If you are going to grow in tubs I think you would be better off using a soil based compost ( John Innes) as it is easier to re-wet if it dries. If you put one of these in a tub and we have a wet summer it could water log the compost in a tub.

See what the other grapes think though - I have been wrong before

I use water retaining granules myself...I'd be worried about the mats going mouldy - covered in soil and soaked with water - I thihnk mould would be highly likely. What do others think?

Dunno might be good for a short term holiday fix? Don't quite get how they're used.