Upon opening the box containing the Ecowitt Soil Moisture Tester, our first thought was how different the probe looked compared to all the other tester probes. While soil moisture meters are relatively straightforward gardening tools, some are better suited to specific growing situations than others. While some gardeners may want the higher degree of accuracy that comes from a calibrated digital meter, the sturdiness and ease of use of the Xlux meter make it a winner in our book. To use your moisture meter, make sure its clean and dont leave it in the soil between readings, as this can damage the tool. Theres no need to spend a lot for a good soil moisture meter, as we found when testing this simple, inexpensive analog model from Gouevn. You can get a moisture meter only or you can get a three-in-one moisture, pH, and light meter, which can be helpful to rule out other issues with your fiddle leaf fig. If you go with the less expensive moisture meters, you probably wont get those extra functions, and be aware, you could end up with more headaches in the form of inaccurate readings and broken meters. Facebook: Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant Resource Group. AN ELITE CAFEMEDIA LIFESTYLE PUBLISHER. Pete has been working in the trades since high school, where he first developed a passion for woodworking. We inserted the meter probe into the soilno calibrating or prep necessaryand the dial gave an immediate reading. Your readings will also differ if you measure close to the center of the plant, where the soil is wetter or towards the outside of the container, where soil tends to be dryer. Watering tall potted plants can be problematic when gardeners cant tell if the soil deeper in the pot is consistently as moist. Place the probes into the ground. While you can stick a finger in the soil and try to judge the moisture level from feel, it wont yield very accurate results. After that, we were able to take readings of both shallow and deep compost piles. in x in, 13.20 Theres no need to take off gardening gloves or dig around in the dirt; just insert the moisture meter probe into the soil. We found one major issue with this product. Your moisture meter will have a gauge that shows the water content on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being wet. It may even come with a handy reference that shows the name of many common houseplants and the point at which you should water. We tested the Ecowitt probe on several potted plants, and it proved to be accurate, but because the probe is so short, we dont recommend using it in the garden. Over the years, he has developed a keen interest in a wide variety of DIY projects around the home. Many soil moisture meter models have extra features such as the pH monitoring and the light exposure monitoring. The ideal soil moisture level depends on the type of plant being grown. Any of the moisture meters that earned a spot in this lineup are well suited to detecting and determining moisture levels in soil, but the Xlux soil moisture meter ticks all the boxesits simple, easy to use, and highly accurate. Due to regional shipping fees and product availability, selecting different store may affect the items in your cart. Getting near the end of our picks, the dual-probe multifunction soil moisture meter from Kensizer Soil Tester is, again, easy to use. Add any text here or remove it. Before using the Reotemp meter, it must be calibrated, which proved simple enough. Multifunction meters offered an additional test or two, usually pH levels or light intensity. Most inexpensive analog meters provide a measure on a 1-to-10 scale, which is accurate enough for the average gardener. Some models are more durable and therefore easier to use such as the Gain Express. I recommend waiting until your plants soil is at a moisture level of 3 to 4 at this depth before you water. Then we inserted the probe into potting soil. In general, indoor plants need 1 inch of water per week. The sensor pens come packaged together in plastic wrap with no instructions whatsoever, so we had to log on to the sellers site to figure out how to use them. If you stick the probe halfway down, it reads moist. That depends on whether theyre indoors or outdoors, as well as temperature and humidity levels. The Gain Express does not need batteries so money can be saved without that extra purchase. A very long time. This makes it relatively easy to use. These handheld devices are a small but useful tool for gardeners, providing a tangible measure of soil moisture levels. While the probe was still in the soil, we poured some water into the potsure enough, the percentage of moisture increased on the display. At the end of the testing, we added up the points and used them to help determine the awards for this lineup. It has only the single function, but does it fairly accurately. Of course, it matters a great deal how you take the reading. This meter does not require any batteries for operation. in, Accurately measures soil moisture to keep your plants healthy. The meter is generally accurate and the compact design is a nice touch. Meter S10 Soil Moisture Sensor Meter is another no frills single function soil meter. Copyright 2022 House Grail. At this location, your moisture meter should read just between moist and dry before you water. It is an easy to use, just place in the ground, and read the results meter. Update Privacy Preferences Although moisture meters are made to withstand some wear and tear, leaving the device in the soil can cause it to rust and degrade. Reading the large and clear meter is easy, too. Sign up now and getFREE SHIPPINGon your first order.Receive email-exclusive deals, free shipping offers, and head starts. If it remained white, it was time to water. Some plants from Home Depot have very dense root balls that do not integrate well with surrounding soil. Water is vital to thriving plant lifeplants would shrivel up and die without itbut ensuring that you provide the right amount of H2O can be difficult. It only reads moisture, but it does so accurately, and the dial is located on the top of the meter, so its easy to see. Copyright 2022 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. Many soil meters are battery-free, but you will find battery-operated machines. We then tested the light function, but unfortunately, it failed to register any difference whether in a sunny spot or the middle of our shade garden. Get the Kensizer 3-in-1 soil moisture meter on Amazon or at Walmart. The Xlux Soil Moisture Meter is the epitome of simplicityand thats one of the reasons we loved it. An analog meter is a cost-effective pick for the average gardener. This is an extremely lightweight meter that can be used both indoors and out. The probe must be long enough to reach the area to be measured. This is because we tested it in the un-amended soil of the lawn, and it gave us the exact same pH reading as it did when we tried it in our blueberry patcha spot where weve added a high amount of soil acidifier over the years. The Luster Leaf Rapitest Soil Moisture Meter is a no-nonsense moisture meter. In tests we were impressed with the large and easy-to-read display. These features give a better overall picture of conditions to help take a garden from surviving to thriving. Like many devices, soil moisture meters can include smart connectivity features. The first feature is how easy it is to use. House Grail is reader-supported. But it proved plenty strong enough for inserting into pots with commercial grow mixes. Hopefully, these reviews have helped you make an informed decision on the best soil moisture meter that fits your needs. The issue with the XLUX T10 Soil Moisture Sensor Meter is one thin prong that goes into the ground is not durable and should not be used on dry soil. While we awarded extra points for these functions if they were accurate, we did not subtract points if they were just so-so because our testing aimed to determine how well the meters detected moisture. Meter $10 Soil Moisture Sensor Meter is that it does not require batteries. Some plants thrive with very little moisture (as low as 1 or 2 on a 10-point scale), while others prefer very moist soil (8 or higher). If it seems like your plant has a very compact root ball, take the measurement inside the edge of the root ball so youre measuring the actual moisture content of the soil that has contact with the roots. Large plants use more water, but large containers retain more water, so how fast your fiddle leaf fig uses water depends on the size of your container and the size of your plant. 13.200 Then, youll want to wait a week or more for your plant to dry out again. The unit has a button on the front we could switch to select from the three functions, and the readings were near instantaneous, which was impressive. Using a moisture meter to know when to water your fiddle leaf fig plant can save you a lot of headaches and keep your plant healthy. Also consider the appropriate probe length for the intended use. Short probes are easier to store, and durability is less of a concern with indoor use. But the dual-probe meter offers a battery-free design and is suitable for use indoors and outdoors. These affordable and simple-to-use gardening tools can help potted plants or garden beds flourish. These four small Ippinka moisture sensors dont come with dials or digital displays, but we found them to be quite beneficial at monitoring the moisture level in indoor potted plants. The Ruolan meter is fairly-priced and requires no additional add-ons such as batteries. Pay attention to your particular plants root ball here. Youll want to fully water your plant so that 5-10% of the water comes out the drainage holes to make sure all of the soil gets wet and the roots get a good soak. If users detect considerable resistance in any soil type or texture, remove the meter and try a different spot. Indoor plants tend to be smaller and rest in looser potting soil. The wide-faced dial is easy to see and read so there is no guessing. Selecting the right soil moisture meter often comes down to the old adage, you get what you pay for. For fiddle leaf fig owners who want to be totally confident in watering their plant, a moisture meter is a fantastic tool. We were eager to learn if our rhododendrons were in soil with a suitable pH level, and we believe the Kensizer gave us the answer we were looking for. Get the Xlux long soil moisture meter on Amazon or at Sears. It doesnt come with fancy bells and whistles, but it does accurately measure soil moisture levels. For outdoor plants, durability may be a more important feature. This is the nature of gravity and water. Sounds easy, right? As any soil moisture meter can handle the looser potting soil used for indoor plants, the probe is a greater concern for outdoor plants. The best multifunction meter is the Sonkir Soil pH Meter and the VIVOSUN 3 in 1 Plant Moisture Meter. Learn more. Fortunately, it couldnt be simpler! When choosing a moisture meter, consider its intended use, display type, growing medium, and any additional measurement or features that might help make maintaining plants easier. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); A link to set a new password will be sent to your email address. They are easy to use. The Luster Leaf is definitely more hands-on because the user places the prong in the ground and then has to hold the meter. There are soil moisture meters that can help solve this issue and save you from looking at the carnage of your favorite plants shriveled up and dead. For reliability and accuracy on all three frontsmoisture, pH, and lightwe like the Fivota Soil Meter, which we found to be quite accurate when reading all three aspects. All the way at the bottom, it reads wet. The biggest problems with fiddle leaf fig plants are too much or too little water. Some users have complained that the moisture needle is very bendy, so you have to take caution when placing the meter in the soil or it could possibly break. We recommend these little pens for those who want to tell at a glance whether its time to water. Theyre touted as the best predictors for watering, so to see if they live up to the hype, we tested the most popular ones available. Our selection of best Products . You frantically turn on the hose and start watering them, thinking in a few days they will bounce back. Outdoor potted plants in sunny, hot conditions may need to be watered daily to stay healthy. Soil moisture meters estimate the water content of soil by using electrical resistance. Soil moisture meters are simple garden tools that include sensing probes that detect the level of dampness in soil. Accuracy is obviously of value in a moisture meter. The only slight downside was that one of the copper probes seemed a bit loose, so we had to take care when inserting the probes in the soil. Before buying a soil moisture meter ask yourself if you want just the moisture level or if you want more. Many soil moisture meters are equipped for both indoor and outdoor use, but there are a few features to take into consideration. Stick the probe halfway between the center of the plant and the edge of the container, then go halfway down the soil. If you are looking for the best soil moisture meter for the money, check out the VIVOSUN 3-in-1 Plant Moisture Meter. Be sure to take your reading at the same place each time for consistency. Youll want to make sure it has proper sunlight and that youre feeding it each time you water with a good liquid fertilizer for fiddle leaf fig plants. We inserted a AA battery into the base of the probes handle and another one in the back of the small display screen. The store you are switching to cannot currently accept online orders. For example, we checked the recommended moisture level for our mock orange bushthe guide told us it fell within the 45 (green) section of the meter. Get the Ippinka soil moisture meter pens on Amazon or at Sears (with white pen color, rather than green). The meter is easy to read and ranges in scale from 1 to 10. For example, a compost moisture meter tends to be much longer than a moisture meter for plants. I recommend measuring halfway between the center of your plant and the container, then halfway between the top and bottom of your soil. Dont take this information too seriously, as most moisture meter manufacturers list fiddle leaf fig (ficus lyrata) at a 1, meaning you should let the plant completely dry out between waterings. You will lose all items in your cart. That being said, it is fairly easy to use and read. As the founder of House Grail, Pete's primary goal is to help consumers make educated decisions about DIY projects at home, in the garage, and in the garden. Unless otherwise specified, it is best to clean and store a moisture meter after each use. Consider a meter with a sturdy builda model with a probe at least inch thick should be more resistant to bending, or one with a stainless steel housing instead of plastic. This handy little gadget proved well suited to monitoring indoor growing situations, but it didnt seem durable or long enough for outdoor conditions. These handy meters can provide a snapshot of soil conditions that warn about potential problems. This model requires no additional power source such as batteries. If compost material is too dry, the material could take a long time to decompose, but if its soaking wet, it might attract pests. The issue with this meter is it will not register any data in dry soil, requiring the user to wet down the soil to begin reading. Receive email-exclusive deals, free shipping offers, and head starts. To pick the meter that fits our needs, we need to look at some key factors in what we are looking for. While all these meters differ slightly, all have earned a spot for accuracy in measuring moisture and are made to last. While it has a 10-point scale, its a lot simpler to look at the color-coding on the dial. We found it to be a boon in our garden-tool arsenal by accurately determining both moisture and light levels. So where is the right place to take an accurate reading? Knowing this, we were eager to put this Reotemp moisture meter through its paces, thanks to its long 15-inch probe particularly suited to testing a compost pile. A user-calibrated meter allows the calibration to be adjusted for different conditions, such as for gardening or composting, humidity conditions, or to the specific moisture needs of certain plants. The meter reads information quickly and results are almost instantaneously delivered. Using a soil moisture meter takes the guesswork out of watering plants and provides an accurate moisture level reading. Although most meters have aluminum or steel probes, some flimsier and thinner options can bend or dent in harder soils. Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2022, Buyers Guide Choosing the Best Soil Moisture Meter, Our reviews of the best wood moisture meters, Pinned vs Pinless Moisture Meters: Whats the Difference. When we tested the pH function, however, we were pretty impressed. The user just has to stick the meter where they want the soil tested and wait for the readings. His other interests include astronomy, hiking, and fishing. The Alotpower Soil Moisture Sensor Meter is a stand-alone simple soil moisture meter. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Soil Moisture Hygrometer Detector for Arduino. For an even more accurate reading, consider a digital moisture meter that provides a reading to the nearest decimal point or shows a percentage. Most soil moisture meters are easy to use. Signup for our newsletter to get notified about sales and new products. The probe is on the thin side, so we didnt try to insert it into hard ground for fear of bending it. Xlux Long Probe Deep Use Soil Moisture Meter, Reotemp Garden and Compost Moisture Meter, Kensizer 3-in-1 Soil Moisture/Light/pH Meter, Fivota Soil pH Meter, FV03 Upgraded Large Screen, The Dos and Don'ts of Planting Ground Cover, So, You Want to Plant an Herb Spiral Garden, The Best Things You Can Do for Your Garden Soil, The Most Affordable Ways to Fence in a Yard, 14 Easy DIY Living Room Updates Anyone Can Do in a Day, Included chart with moisture recommendations, Possible to determine moisture levels as deep as 12 inches, Long-range signal (up to 200 feet in our tests), Must hold button down for moisture reading, The actual degree of moisture isnt detectable. This gave us the information we needed to transplant the bush and replace the non-draining soil at the bottom of the pot with better-draining soil. 0.17 If you have dryer, more rocky soil, a great durable buy can be found with the Gain Express Soil pH and Moisture Meter. 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Get the Gain Express soil moisture meter on Amazon or at Walmart. Place it in the soil where you want to test the moisture and get instant readings. This Trazon seemed highly accurate when reading both moisture and light range, but we werent as convinced about its pH detection. Having an accurate moisture reading is essential, but knowing whether the soil is too acidic or overly alkaline is also vital for some garden plants. 15 DIY Flower Garden Plans You Can Make Today (with Pictures), 15 Different Types of Planers & Their Uses (with Pictures), Can need a reset if functions changed too quickly. This is another dual-pronged meter, which helps determine results with accuracy. The iPower Soil pH Meter is another dual-pronged 3-in1 function soil meter that measures moisture, pH, and light. Get the Xlux soil moisture meter on Amazon or at Walmart. Red for dry, green for moist, and blue for wet. A quality plant moisture meter is a worthwhile investment for the well-being of both indoor and outdoor plantsand fortunately, they neednt be expensive to be beneficial. Turns out, maybe your plants had too much water. Some digital meters show soil moisture levels to a decimal point or percentage, making them more accurate than an analog meter with a 1-to-10 scale. In these cases, physically feeling the soil can help determine if the reading is on the right track. Whats more, we tested the range of the probes signal and were able to get a clear signal from as far as 200 feet away. Regardless of the moisture meter type, a clear and easy-to-read display is helpful. We measured moisture levels, light levels, and soil acidity with this multifunction analog meter from Trazon. Once we let up on the button, the meter defaulted to the pH level. Once done, storing the system can be an issue as well because of tangling and tearing of the cord that connects the prong to the meter.
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