Moisture metre
linzijayne74
Posts: 198
Hello all! I've posted on here previously about whether I'm overwatering/underwatering my outdoor plants (and a few of you were kind enough to respond, thank you). Well, a couple of weeks ago I happened upon a Moisture Metre in Wilko's and thought I'd give it a go; with it being just £4 I thought I didn't have much to lose. I can report I'm really pleased with it (so far, anyway!). One of my potted Echinaceas looked quite dry on the top of the soil the other day but when I inserted my metre to root level, it was actually wet. (It also has a pH metre and 'light' metre on it too). Just thought I'd share with anyone who maybe wanted to take the guesswork out of plant watering, or who is just interested to know what's going on underneath that soil! 
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The pH meter could certainly be useful. Poking your finger in the soil won't tell you that - unless your fingers are much more sensitive than mine anyway.
I also find a moisture meter really useful for my houseplants. Many of them are large and in deep pots so my finger isn't long enough to test whats going on. I am a bit geeky about these things though!
Hi folks! Hee hee, I have tried poking my finger in but I don't like to delve too deeply...certainly not down to the roots anyway. I place the metre at the edge of the pot/trough and away from the rootball and get my results; I find it quite fascinating, especially when upon first glance (and cautious poke!), the plant looks dry but the metre tells me it's at least 'moist'! Singing Gardener...I am actually quite relieved to hear that your fingers can't reach the bottom of your deep pots!
I should also point out that I'm very new to gardening; you wouldn't belieeeeeeeve what I don't know!!!!!!! Hence my moisture metre. I have a lot to learn but thanks to you lovely folks I am learning. I will be back with more inane questions in the near future, I have no doubt! Thanks guys.
You have done really well on the price. In my local garden centre today they were a penny short of £20 each, not multifunction.
Hi again! Thanks KT53; just happened to be perusing around Wilko's a few weeks ago and found the metre there, couldn't believe it was just £4. (I do love a Wilko's; there's not much you can't buy from there!). Yes, Phillipa, it is all indeed fascinating! I just wish I'd come to gardening years ago but am only a recent convert at the ripe age of 42! It's because I wanted to help bumble bees and also my husband acquired a lovely metal trough from a customer of his (he has his own window cleaning business). I then planted mostly bee-friendly plants in the trough to encourage them to the garden and this is where my interest in gardening has grown from. It's a lovely hobby to have, nature never ceases to amaze me.