Go to your plant nursery (Orchard Supply Hardware is where I got mine – about $12.00) and get a container of Polymer Granules. It will probably have a brand name, but the stuff is the same, aka x-linked polyacrylamide. It has a fantastic absorption rate – one pound of the granules will hold 50 gallons of pure water, much less if high in minerals or sales.

Pick a material that has a tight weave and can get wet. You may want to pre-wash your fabric to be sure the color will not run.

Lay out the size mat you think you’ll want, top and bottom pieces (make it about 25% bigger than you expect, because it will shrink up when the granules expand). Sew around three sides.

Sew parallel tubes about 1-1/2 inches wide. Put about 1 teaspoon (they aren’t kidding!) of the granules, per 12 inches of length of each tube. Sew across the last side.

Place it in water about 30 minutes to give you ½ absorption, 60-90 minutes give you 100% saturation. If you find it is too full or not full enough let it dry out completely and add or remove as necessary. The drying out period takes about 7 – 10 days!

Put the extra, unused granules in your plants so you won’t have to water them while you are away at your obedience and agility trials.