Water Meter

[big rockpile]

Truth is I have one but only have used it a couple times lately in the Greenhouse and have found I've been watering too much.

Wondering if I should use it in my regular Garden and Flower Beds?

big rockpile

 

[Anniekay]

I go by feel. I use my finger in the soil and water when the top inch or two of soil is dry. I don't use gadgets because they aren't that accurate.

 

[big rockpile]

You know and I do understand but that is the way I was doing.

The other day I had a plant I was concerned about and had a feel. Well for one thing it is dry.

Went to repot it and found the soil plenty moist down a little deeper and roots were down there.

big rockpile

 

[Tetters]

Truth is I have one but only have used it a couple times lately in the Greenhouse and have found I've been watering too much.

Wondering if I should use it in my regular Garden and Flower Beds?

big rockpile

I found that my regular flower beds were impossible to water. We would need a very long hose for one thing, and our meter is rather restricting as well - the bill gets much too big. Usually I find that my flowers manage quite well with just the rain, and they do seem to put their roots down further and take care of themselves - nature is a wonderful thing. Mulching also helps to retain moisture, and as it breaks down it does improve the texture of the soil.
Indoors is a bit different, but over watering can kill stuff if you're not careful.

 

[big rockpile]

We're in a very bad drought and mulch helps but you have to water.

We have Chlorine in our water so I have to let it set.

It is so bad there is many feet without water.

big rockpile

 

[NigelJ]

We have Chlorine in our water so I have to let it set.

Is that American for stand? It's a bit cold and difficult to use once it's set.

 

[Anniekay]

Is that American for stand? It's a bit cold and difficult to use once it's set.

Set, sit, stand, all the same here !!

 

[NigelJ]

Water meters work on soil conductivity, as the soil moisture increases so does the conductivity. However the conductivity of the soil also depends on the composition of the soil. So if you have one pot of compost and put the meter in it then the conductivity will change as the moisture content changes as long as you don't feed the plant, which will change the baseline. A different type of soil will have a different reading for the same moisture level.

 

[big rockpile]

Yes let it set for 24 hours supposed to let the Chlorine out.

Strange PH on Tap Water 6 but Rain Water 7.

big rockpile

 

[Anniekay]

Yes let it set for 24 hours supposed to let the Chlorine out.

Strange PH on Tap Water 6 but Rain Water 7.

big rockpile

I have acid rain, not extreme acid rain, it's about 5.2 ph. If your rain water and tap water is near neutral, that's 6.5, you're ok.

 

[NigelJ]

Yes let water stand for 24 hrs if you want. Chlorine quickly disappears when you apply the water to the soil and it is not strong enough to harm the foliage if applied directly to your plants.

Strange PH on Tap Water 6 but Rain Water 7.

What is strange about the pH? How have you measured it ? Best is pH paper.
pH of tap water depends on the original source of the water and how it's treated by your supplier.

 

[Tetters]

Water meters work on soil conductivity, as the soil moisture increases so does the conductivity. However the conductivity of the soil also depends on the composition of the soil. So if you have one pot of compost and put the meter in it then the conductivity will change as the moisture content changes as long as you don't feed the plant, which will change the baseline. A different type of soil will have a different reading for the same moisture level.

Ooh Nigel, that's too scientific for me. I was useless at school, and haven't improved since, sadly

 

[big rockpile]

Yes let water stand for 24 hrs if you want. Chlorine quickly disappears when you apply the water to the soil and it is not strong enough to harm the foliage if applied directly to your plants.

What is strange about the pH? How have you measured it ? Best is pH paper.
pH of tap water depends on the original source of the water and how it's treated by your supplier.

Got a meter for water lately I've been using one I have for soil and not liking what I'm seeing.

big rockpile

 

[NigelJ]

Ooh Nigel, that's too scientific for me. I was useless at school, and haven't improved since, sadly

Don't run yourself down,
They don't work brilliantly at the best of times.
Best is to know your soil, compost and plants well.

 

[Tetters]

Don't run yourself down,
They don't work brilliantly at the best of times.
Best is to know your soil, compost and plants well.

Oh well, I'm still in with a fighting chance then

 

[NigelJ]

Got a meter for water lately I've been using one I have for soil and not liking what I'm seeing.

Most domestically available "pH Meters" are useless. They are marginally less bad if you calibrate them on a buffer solution every time you use them.
Best bet is take sample of soil, shake with water, let solids settle and then use pH paper or Universal Indicator solution to determine pH.
This is the closest you are going to get to a commercial testing laboratory. The big difference is that the soil testing laboratory will test the water above the sample with a nice shiney, calibrated, laboratory pH meter.

 

[olly-buckle]

Ooh Nigel, that's too scientific for me. I was useless at school, and haven't improved since, sadly

It's not hard really, pure water hardly conducts electricity, adding salts makes it more conductive. If you want to understand more fully there is a series of really clear chemistry lessons by a lady on Socratica that is easy to understand.

I find if I watch them twice it's solidly in there.

 

[olly-buckle]

Someone mentioned oyas the other day and I looked them up, basically a terracotta vessel buried next to the plant and you fill it with water, plant roots like the semi porous terracotta and will wrap themselves around it. It means you use less water and can deliver fertilizer direct. They are not cheap, but someone was improvising with terracotta flower pots with the hole blocked, that looked good.