From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Omaha, Ne.

Can anyone recommend an accurate handheld moisture meter. Inexpensive would be nice to. I was looking at the one Johnny's has for $32. Has anyone had any luck with the style of meter

www.johnnyseeds.com/p-7584-moisture-meter.aspx

12/25/2015 8:39:33 PM

Muddy Waters

No my finger works best.I tried a $80 one.My finger is better!

12/26/2015 7:11:19 PM

Omaha, Ne.

I would tell you to come over so I could use your finger but I wouldn't know words been

12/27/2015 6:23:54 PM

Omaha, Ne.

know where its been.

12/27/2015 7:15:57 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Get ready for the snow Mr. Darren.

12/27/2015 7:40:35 PM

Omaha, Ne.

its going to be nasty.

12/27/2015 9:02:26 PM

Muddy Waters

Thats how Quinn does it,with his finger

12/28/2015 6:50:32 PM

Ct

This is a good relevant question, I wish those who use the soil moisture meters would comment.

12/29/2015 1:05:05 PM

Anchorage Alaska

Supposedly helped out the rhode island boys big time last year .."I'm all ears on what is the right type of probes and controller to use..?

12/29/2015 11:15:54 PM

Muddy Waters

They dont work I have tried many.Your finger wont lie.Dig a hole & place a empty plastic tube of chalk point down in hole.Remove tube & check for moisture daily.Most accurate & affordable meter you will ever have. I put these in 3 or 4 locations on each plant.

12/30/2015 7:24:37 AM

Muddy Waters

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=220172

Point point up dont really matter.This is 100% accurate everytime.

12/30/2015 7:27:47 AM

nOVA sCOTIA

excellent idea Bubba!!

12/30/2015 1:03:00 PM

Eganville, Ontario

I bought a decent one and really struggled with it. It was a single probe unit but was a couple hundred dollars. It wouldn't read over 50% and I was trying for mid 40's so it was a bit frustrating. I just didn't get a good feel for it and I shelved it early in the year. I should start off with it again and be more patient.

I should have bought the ones featured in the SNGPG newsletter.

If you're not going to buy a top end one, use your finger would be my opinion.

12/30/2015 4:11:28 PM

Upa Creek, MO

I like that growing tip 113 Bubba

12/30/2015 4:36:24 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Looks like I'll be buying a few extra tubes of caulking this summer.

12/30/2015 6:27:18 PM

Omaha, Ne.

good idea inside a greenhouse. but that would be the first place rain or overhead water would go. (it needs a hat)

you have growing tips. in all that mess you call a diary :D

12/30/2015 7:16:16 PM

Muddy Waters

My screen house lets rain water in Darren. I use these outside just the same as inside .Not sure what you mean?

12/30/2015 9:18:12 PM

Anchorage Alaska

Interesting tip , worth trying out and see what happens...can't be any worse than my current method ..lol..

12/30/2015 11:17:48 PM

Omaha, Ne.

I was just thinking . If you put a bucket over-the-top of your calk tube. The water wouldn't be able to take the path of least resistance and just run into the hole. it would keep the area around the tube dry at the surface then you would be able to see just how much moisture has seeped to the whole and not just ran into it

12/31/2015 8:35:17 AM

nOVA sCOTIA

you are not looking for water seeping into the hole! If you water the patch evenly then pull out the tubes and take a look at the walls of soil you will notice how many inches down the soil is moist before it starts to dry out.It works! Very good view of roots also!

12/31/2015 3:34:56 PM

Omaha, Ne.

wow

12/31/2015 4:35:29 PM

nOVA sCOTIA

Donald Trump needs a hat to Darren...lol

12/31/2015 7:14:10 PM

Muddy Waters

Yes no hat needed it would change the true level in the soil in that isolated spot. the idea is to get a feel of the soil mositure below the surface.Water seeks its on level,So it cant be more accurate then this. The key is to place the tube in soil before the roots get there.Yes it gives you a good look at the roots as Carl is saying.

12/31/2015 9:14:17 PM

Muddy Waters

Water wont run into the hole the tube wont allow it.

12/31/2015 9:15:44 PM

nOVA sCOTIA

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=250911
The hole is about 8" deep

12/31/2015 10:09:43 PM