#Moisture meeter how to

If you’re using one with two probes, be sure to insert it vertically. If you meet resistance, try another spot. To put this handy tool to work, gently insert the probe end into the soil so that it is buried four-fifths of the way deep. The more moisture is available, the higher the currents are. They measure moisture by detecting electrical currents in the soil. If you like the 3-way style that provides all of these readings at once, you can pick up one at Arbico Organics.Īre these tools magic? Nope. Some meters only measure water, but others are available that also read pH and light levels. You can purchase one of these at many nurseries, or via Amazon.įind more models in our supplemental guide: “ 9 of the Best Soil Moisture Meters for Your Garden.” And most don’t even require batteries to give you your reading! Some have a numerical scale, a color-coded face, or both, to make reading the moisture level easy.

#Moisture meeter how to

Want to know how to put these handy garden tools to work for you? Here’s what we’ll cover: Thanks to my hygrometer, I’m not killing plants because of bad watering practices anymore. Plus, you can keep your gloves on, and avoid getting your fingers dirty with one of these on hand. And with this method, you can only tell what’s happening in the top few inches.Ī moisture meter can tell you exactly how moist the soil is, and not just in the top few inches, but up to a foot down – or more!

Sure, you can stick your finger in the soil, but this is more of an art than a science, an imprecise way of figuring out what your plants need. These handy tools help take the guesswork out of watering. Then, one day I saw a funny-looking thing sticking out of a friend’s bed of lettuce, and I discovered the world of soil moisture meters. I’ve overwatered succulents, and I’ve let my fiddle leaf fig get so dry that it started tossing its leaves to the ground in protest. It seems like such a straightforward gardening task, but it can be frustratingly difficult to master. I’ve killed more plants than I care to admit by failing to give them the right amount of water. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products.