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Massachusetts

This season (2014) I grew 2 plants each in about 700 SF. The labs call my soil sandy loam or loamy sand so I think have reasonably good drainage. In the spring, when I put the plants out into the patch, I placed one Watermark soil sensor near the middle of each patch. This is the sensor...
http://www.gemplers.com/product/R38101/IRROMETER-Watermark-Soil-Moisture-Sensor-10-ft-Cable?gclid=CjwKEAiAtNujBRDMmoCN46aB8noSJAC7SYv7-HFRTm8SmUGfwT1ato_x7ss-MBmbX4JKryp6g5VFAxoCnhLw_wcB&sku=R38101&CID=25SEPLA&ef_id=UwtX0AAABFP2TSS4:20141127154514:s

Does anyone have any practical experience using these sensors in the pumpkin patch? I took readings for the first six weeks or so. The readings are measured in centibars where a "0" centibar reading means wet and crops should be watered when the tension rises to 30-40 or so centibars.

My sensors always read around zero indicating saturated soil. They were placed relatively shallow at a depth of about 6". If I listened to the sensors, I would never water or the time between waterings would be very long. Numerous times I tested the soil by squeezing in my hand and concluded that I needed to water.

So I found the sensors of no use. I would love to hear from anyone who understands this technology better than me to comment.

11/27/2014 11:04:01 AM

Torrance, Ca.

Try and find the talk on line that Steve Daletas did in Vegas. He has many sensors throughout the patch. They're a little more pricy then what your using but very accurate. They relay moisture in his soil back to the computer which then signals the water to be turn on until the moisture levels are where they need to be. He says the water goes on between 2 and 4 times a day for a short time.

11/27/2014 11:50:01 AM