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[Shpongle Lover]

There's a dizzying array of (mostly very cheap) moisture meters on the market (E-bay, Amazon and locally).  I tend to be a "Jewish mother" when it comes to watering, and sometimes provide far too much water - to the detriment of my plants.  I know over-watering is the single most common gardening mistake.

So...does anyone use a moisture meter?  Do you have any recommendations for a brand or model?  NGR makes a cheap ($7.00 at Amazon) moisture meter...was thinking of trying that one as a first meter.  It got pretty good reviews (and a lot of them).  Apparently, so long as you keep the oxidation off the probe it gives very accurate readings.

Thoughts?

S.L.

[hereje]

I use my right inxed finger with no problems and it was free

[Seed Collector]

I use ones called "Soil Master 'Moisture, Light and pH Meter' ".

The model I use can be seen http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Soil+Master+meter&qs=n&form=QBIR&pq=soil+master+meter&sc=0-11&sp=-1&sk=&id=865B3A78B6FA72F6BF873E829682A7F87675A851&selectedIndex=0#view=detail&id=865B3A78B6FA72F6BF873E829682A7F87675A851&selectedIndex=0

these are commonly available, and I do recommend removing the meter from the dirt, and possibly wiping it off with a cloth- to prevent oxidation, like you mentioned.

[Shpongle Lover]

I use my right inxed finger with no problems and it was free

If that was an option, I'd do it.  It's not, for two reasons.  The seedlings of concern are in small pots, and were I to dig down as you suggest, the damage I'd do with my finger would be far greater than the thin probe.

Secondly, on my cacti and other plants, I top dress the pots with small, decorative gravel.  I'd be disturbing that and I'd get soil on top or mixed in with the gravel every time I checked for moisture.

@ Seed Collector.  Thanks for the suggested tool.  Do you find the Ph meter accurate and useful ?

S.L.

[Seed Collector]

I think its fairly accurate for what the soil pH is, however I've heard that testing runoff is a better indication (but I don't usually do that).

[Mandrake]

I use ones called "Soil Master 'Moisture, Light and pH Meter' ".

The model I use can be seen http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Soil+Master+meter&qs=n&form=QBIR&pq=soil+master+meter&sc=0-11&sp=-1&sk=&id=865B3A78B6FA72F6BF873E829682A7F87675A851&selectedIndex=0#view=detail&id=865B3A78B6FA72F6BF873E829682A7F87675A851&selectedIndex=0

these are commonly available, and I do recommend removing the meter from the dirt, and possibly wiping it off with a cloth- to prevent oxidation, like you mentioned.

Surely some models like this can give you a rough idea of some parameters, specially if you do not require precision, but I personally got one very similar once and it's been collecting dust for some time. Nothing wrong with them considering how cheap they are, but I don't think they are very reliable.

For soil pH I ended up getting a decent water pH tester with some calibration solution, costing 50$ as a bargain. You need to use percolation to measure the soil pH, but the good direct soil sensor pH meters are a bit pricey.

As for soil moisture meters, I've never used one... I'm used to estimate following a watering schedule, weighing the pot, touching the soil, and in the case of small containers with fragile seedlings I use transparent containers so any excess/lack of moisture will be visible. If substrate is not sterile and light in the lower parts is a concern, cover the sides with some tin foil and uncover for checking. When in doubt regarding excess moisture and in case of no drainage holes I apply a paper towel wig to suck up excess moisture through capillary action. 

Kind regards,

Mandrake

[nobody]

tooth pick or wooden chopstick, the cheapest ones work best.

[Shpongle Lover]

Ha!  That's a good idea!  My wife does that to cakes to see if they're done.

S.L.