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Wisconsin

Has anyone used tensiometers or other moisture soil sensors? If so, I would like to hear your experiences and how you use the numbers.

I have used 2 Irrometer tensiometers for the last couple years and have found them useful. Here is a link.

http://www.irrometer.com/agcat.htm

I have one 18" and one 36" but I put them at about 12" and 24" deep. I have tried to keep the moisture levels at about 12 centibars or so (maybe even this is too low). The main thing that I have learned from these is that I was watering way too much before. I have been surprised how little water it takes in my soil to maintain optimal moisture levels. I would like to hear any other experiences. Thanks.

1/31/2004 3:51:45 PM

Montoursville, PA

My associate and friend Larry Checkon and his wife Gerry had the wettest spring and summer in the history of Pennsylvania last summer. The patch was absolutely flooded three times. They had a terrible year with water while producing three over 1000 lbs in that patch and losing another along the way.

We might deduct that we do not know exactly how much water these critters use but this past summer apparently was not to much. :) Amazing but absolutely true.

1/31/2004 4:20:08 PM

[email protected]

Jim,

I don't have one at this time but I've been thinking about getting the model "R". Is this the unit you use? If so, I was looking at Forestry Supply.

http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/product_pages/view_catalog_page.asp?id=3059

Are these competitive prices? What diameter coring tool do you use? I sell coring tools for an awful lot less than the $65.00 that Forestry is charging but this assumes the 3/4" size is the same.

Thanks in advance.

Steve

1/31/2004 8:30:20 PM

Wisconsin

Steve,

Yes, those are the ones that I use. I can't remember where I bought mine but here is another link I saw that is a little cheaper.

http://www.specmeters.com/Soil_Moisture/Irrometer_Tensiometers.html

I don't have a formal coring tool but instead just use a piece of 3/4" PVC pipe to create a hole for them. I then push them in a little deeper that the cored hole and have always gotten a good seal and a good reading right away. I don't see any need for an expensive coring tool.

If I had it to do over again, I might get a 12" and a 24" model because I think that the roots that are most important are in the upper soil zones. For that matter, it might even be reasonable to just use one of them at 18" or so.

You do need the Service Kit with the vacuum pump to set them up. They work well though and are easy to set up. They give very consistant readings.

My goal has been to try to keep the soil moisture levels at a very even level and just a little dryer than the saturation level. This correlates with moist but not excessively wet soil.

Jim

2/1/2004 12:30:37 AM

[email protected]

Cool. Thanks!

2/1/2004 7:19:16 AM