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Soil, Compost & Mulch

How can you really tell when a plant is dry?

15 years ago

As far as I can tell the only way is to dig down below the root level to see if the soil is dry. Hardly practical. So what else is there? I've tried a moisture meter but wonder if they are any good. Someone once said, I don't remember were, that they only measured salinity.

Thinking about this I beleive I once had a soil sampling tube. It might do the same thing or close to digging the hole. Now I have to find it.

Now I measure rain fall which is another way to kind of keep track of the wetness of things.

Finally there is always wilting. That is a sure sign if its' not already too late. +

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Comments (6)

Kimmsr
15 years ago
The simplest method of determining soil moisture levels is to stick your forefinger into the soil to the first knuckle and if the soil at the finger tip is dry you need to water. Now a good mulch will keep the soil from ever drying out that much however, and since plants cannot uptake necessary soil nutrients in the absence of moisture I'd not think it wise to allow the soil to get that dry.
0
digdirt2
15 years ago
Yep the good old finger test is the best there is. We all have different finger length true, but regardless it will still give you a good indication of the need for water.

Dave
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Dan _Staley (5b Sunset 2B AHS 7)
15 years ago
The MIL drags around a moisture meter, while we stick our finger in. As to the topic of this thread, when wilting begins.

Dan
0
albert_135 　 39.17°N 119.76°W 4695ft.
15 years ago
I once bought a 25Â¢ 'pH meter' at a yard sale. It had a copper colored probe and a more silverish probe. It, insofar as I could tell would not give no indication of pH.

However, it functioned well for determining if a plant needed water. Just stick the probes into the soil near the root area. If the needle moved the soil was moist enough. If the needle did not move the soil needed water.
0
flora_uk
15 years ago
I know it's not much help to new gardeners to be told this but you do develop an ability to know how your plants are feeling after a few years. Something about the way they hold themselves and the surface appearance of the leaves tells you they are thirsty long before they wilt. And I don't personally think it's that bad if they do wilt sometimes. They can get over reliant on being babied and stop bothering to root deeply and go looking for water. Also some plants will droop naturally during the heat of the day (even over here!) and perk up at night. It's their natural behaviour and doesn't mean there's anything wrong with them. If you are short of water give it to your vegetables and let the ornamentals tough it out for a bit.
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greenbean08_gw
15 years ago
I bought a moisture meter for about $6 last year. I'm still not sure exactly how accurate it is but if you doubt the reading, you can always stick your finger in to verify. I am still getting used to the soil here so the meter is quite helpful for me.
0

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