Should I purchase a PH Meter or Water Meter? First time gardening.

tulsanurse1 · April 6, 2010

I want to buy it if I need it but if its a waste I would rather forget it. Whats your take? And is one any better than another one?

sprtsguy76 · April 6, 2010

I think its a waste of time and really not necessary.

Damon

PaulF · April 6, 2010

I agree with sprtsguy. Save your money.

tulsanurse1 · April 6, 2010

How will I know if I need to raise or lower the PH?

amideutch · April 7, 2010

OK, why do you think you need a PH meter and for what use. Yes it is nice to know the PH of your water out of the faucet. If your growing hydroponically it is a must so as to keep your nutrient solution in a range that the nutients will be available to your plants. You can also buy paper strips that indicate PH and you can buy fairly inexpensive meter/probe to insert into the soil to measure the ph of your soil. I have a meter and 2 soil probes. Ami

tulsanurse1 · April 7, 2010

I'm so new to this container gardener that I am still trying figure what are must-haves and not-needs.

Suze · April 7, 2010

I don't think you need either meter for what you're trying to do, which is grow in containers. I don't own either a PH or a water meter - just never seen the need for them.

If you use a good mix for your containers, PH should be in the range that you need to successfully grow tomatoes or other vegetables. What is a "good mix?"

Well, first off, something that is light and free draining. Peat based potting mixes (like for example, Pro-Mix, Metro-Mix, Jungle Growth, Miracle Gro potting soil [but not their garden soil] etc. ) is what I personally prefer. Or, peat based with maybe some bark fines added. Some add a bit of compost, but you don't want to get too carried away with adding too much, or it could cause the mix to be heavy.

Secondly, you'll need something to feed the plants. Potting mix (even ones labeled as having added fertilizer, which is a small amount and won't last long) and/or bark fines alone won't meet the needs the plants will have. I generally add about a cup of slow release fertilizer (or you could use something like TomatoTone instead) and 1/2 cup of dolomite (not hydrated) lime for every five gallons or so volume of potting mix as initial container prep.

For more tips on how I grow tomatoes in containers, recommended potting mixes, amendments, etc., see here:

http://www.settfest.com/2009/01/container-gardening/

To determine if you need to water a container, I go both by the weight of the container and also stick my finger into the container mix to see if the top few inches are dry.

Determining weight? I use my knee or leg and push it against the container (for large containers) to see if it is feeling a bit light. Many would say water containers every single day, but since you are using such large ones (22 gal), that may not always be necessary, especially if you mulch well. And, it's not going to be necessary when the plants are small.

I will say though, that when those plants get large and loaded with fruit, I think you'll find that most days you are going to need to water, especially since you live in a hot summer climate.

Hope this helps.

April 6, 2010	#1
tulsanurse1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 71	Should I purchase a PH Meter or Water Meter? First time gardening. I want to buy it if I need it but if its a waste I would rather forget it. Whats your take? And is one any better than another one?

April 6, 2010	#3
PaulF Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brownville, Ne Posts: 3,298	I agree with sprtsguy. Save your money. __________________ there's two things money can't buy; true love and home grown tomatoes.

April 7, 2010	#5
amideutch Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Germany 49°26"N 07°36"E Posts: 5,041	OK, why do you think you need a PH meter and for what use. Yes it is nice to know the PH of your water out of the faucet. If your growing hydroponically it is a must so as to keep your nutrient solution in a range that the nutients will be available to your plants. You can also buy paper strips that indicate PH and you can buy fairly inexpensive meter/probe to insert into the soil to measure the ph of your soil. I have a meter and 2 soil probes. Ami __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘...Holy Crap .....What a ride!'

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April 6, 2010	#2
sprtsguy76 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2007 Location: Santa Clara CA Posts: 1,125	I think its a waste of time and really not necessary. Damon

April 7, 2010	#7
Suze Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 3,027	I don't think you need either meter for what you're trying to do, which is grow in containers. I don't own either a PH or a water meter - just never seen the need for them. If you use a good mix for your containers, PH should be in the range that you need to successfully grow tomatoes or other vegetables. What is a "good mix?" Well, first off, something that is light and free draining. Peat based potting mixes (like for example, Pro-Mix, Metro-Mix, Jungle Growth, Miracle Gro potting soil [but not their garden soil] etc. ) is what I personally prefer. Or, peat based with maybe some bark fines added. Some add a bit of compost, but you don't want to get too carried away with adding too much, or it could cause the mix to be heavy. Secondly, you'll need something to feed the plants. Potting mix (even ones labeled as having added fertilizer, which is a small amount and won't last long) and/or bark fines alone won't meet the needs the plants will have. I generally add about a cup of slow release fertilizer (or you could use something like TomatoTone instead) and 1/2 cup of dolomite (not hydrated) lime for every five gallons or so volume of potting mix as initial container prep. For more tips on how I grow tomatoes in containers, recommended potting mixes, amendments, etc., see here: http://www.settfest.com/2009/01/container-gardening/ To determine if you need to water a container, I go both by the weight of the container and also stick my finger into the container mix to see if the top few inches are dry. Determining weight? I use my knee or leg and push it against the container (for large containers) to see if it is feeling a bit light. Many would say water containers every single day, but since you are using such large ones (22 gal), that may not always be necessary, especially if you mulch well. And, it's not going to be necessary when the plants are small. I will say though, that when those plants get large and loaded with fruit, I think you'll find that most days you are going to need to water, especially since you live in a hot summer climate. Hope this helps.