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Eric_Terhorst

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Moisture Meter--what's the right reading?
« on: July 08, 2007, 08:04:02 PM »
The proprietor of one of my favorite golf courses in Wisconsin showed me his new moisture meter yesterday.  It's a miniature pitchfork-looking device that he sticks in the ground, purportedly to measure the moisture levels as a ratio of capacity.  There's a meter that reads out 0-100%.  The scale is 0 = baked dry, about to die, 100% = full of water, can't take any more. I didn't catch the brand name of this device.

At 50%, he said, the moisture level is supposed to be perfect. Above that, they're over-watered, and below in danger.  

Is anyone familiar with these devices?  If I were to try to influence him, does anyone know what the optimal reading for firmer-faster conditions is, without endangering the turf health?  (I find the greens at this course this summer are generally over-watered, probably out of a desire to protect them in a low-budget operation, but he just got his new device last week).

Thanks for your help!
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Steven_Biehl

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Re:Moisture Meter--what's the right reading?
« Reply #1 on: July 08, 2007, 09:07:28 PM »
The devise you describe sounds rudimentary at best.  It may only be useful after a period of trial and error to find what is best for local conditions.  The reason that devise may not be accurate is because different soils hold different amounts of water.  So, using a 0-100% scale won't be the best way to schedule supplemental water for the soil.  

There is a devise that measures the moisture potential in the soil, it is called a tensiometer.  The tensiometer measures to the tension of the soil on the moisture, which will be more accurate in knowing how much moisture in the soil is available for the plants to use.

« Last Edit: July 08, 2007, 09:09:09 PM by Steven_Biehl »
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Craig Sweet

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Re:Moisture Meter--what's the right reading?
« Reply #2 on: July 08, 2007, 11:24:05 PM »
I think the right reading depends.

So, you stick it in the ground right here...and you get 45% and you stick it in the ground over there and you get 65% and you stick it in the ground down there and get 20%.....

I can dig a half dozen holes, at a half dozen locations, on my course, and find different soils in each one...I would imagine the moisture levels might be different as well....
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