Accurate moisture meters

[akgardengirl]

Does anyone use and have suggestions for a moisture meter? I am thinking of buying a digital one for a friend to use to water my tomato plants while I am on vacation. I have a cheapo copper probe which I heard wasn't so accurate. All my plants are in pots so I would need a long probe type.
Sue

[fortyonenorth]

Boy, if you find a good one, let me know. I've tried several and they always tend to register the same whether my soil if wet or bone dry.

[dipchip2000]

Stick your index finger in the pot around the edge. all the way up to your hand.
If your finger feel damp or cooler than the soil on top,then do not water.
If you can detect no difference in the feel to your finger, neither warmer or cooler then it is time to water. I even taught my grand kids this method and hasn't failed me yet. Much cheaper and more accurate than most store bought meters.

ron

[Talon1189]

Moister meters are in general a hoax.... I totally agree with the above post with the "finger moister" test....It is cheap and more reliable.....Good luck for whatever you decide to do >>>>> Talon

[Quickstrike]

Never mind.

Originally thought that you were planting in-ground, rather than pots. My recommendation doesn't work well with pots.

[dice]

Gee, I have had one of those cheapies (brand name HoldAll)
that has been working for a couple of decades. Whether the
soil or container mix is dry, in the middle, or wet is a pretty
broad distinction that does not require a very accurate meter,
and this one has been at least that accurate always. (I do wipe
it off with my hand or a paper towel if it does not come out of
the soil clean.)

Amazon does not list it, so I bet it is off the market (at least
under that brand name), but it looks like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Panacea-Produc...0&sr=8-1-fkmr0

(Probably cost about that much, too.)