Article Contributed By
C.J. Crockett, Certified Horticulturist, Owner House to Home - Fine Gardens, Farm Lot 59 Board Member & Volunteer Coordinator
“The Most Useful, Cheapest Garden Tool You’ll Ever Need!” would be the best add slogan to describe the unsung hero of gardening, the trusty water meter.
When I’m asked any of the following:
1) My plant’s leaves are yellowing, what should I do?
2) My plant’s leaves are browning at the tips. Should I water more?
3) The top of my soil looks dry, but my plants look fine. Should I water more to be sure they’re okay?
4) My plant is wilting, what’s going on?
I always start with the most logical place to look for issues...the moisture level in the soil! Water meters are the underground sleuths for eliminating the first and often most important garden issue - water/moisture levels.
Super easy to use, stick the copper end in the soil, 2-4” for bedding plants & vegetables, farther for lawns, trees and shrubs, the meter will display the water level in that part of the soil. I do recommend taking multiple readings and averaging them for a specific area.
Costing around $12, water meters are the simplest tool for gardeners both new and experienced. They’re great for containers, raised beds, lawns, vegetable gardens, pretty much anywhere you want to be sure your plants/soil is getting the right amount of moisture to flourish. And they can be found at your local garden shop or big box store. I personally don’t recommend meters with multiple capabilities, like light readings, ph balance, etc. Light readings change hourly, duh, the sun moves! Nor do I recommend battery operated units. Keep it simple!
Once you’ve got your meter you can answer the above questions for yourself and your garden will thank you for that. Now go get a meter.
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