--- title: "I’ve tried the odd few different versions of the soil moisture meters…" description: "I’ve tried the odd few different versions of the soil moisture meters and never found them reliable, normally just put finger in to test, which is a pain as I…" url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lZ7uAE3pQ86jnFGxrCwLrg/PpjGFkMVb4FdKMW2VsdNg1?language=fr" community: "Anything about plants" author: "Tom" published: "2025-09-21T12:37:30.906511Z" language: "en" image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/iNTxcaMdihIiF3cG-Oo_w7l-8xOwzfBzSxhBmxMmzcs/uXCyETUKQcGvDQ2qmoUBSw.webp?size=large" --- [Communauté](https://getplanta.com/community.md?language=fr) / [Anything about plants](https://getplanta.com/community/lZ7uAE3pQ86jnFGxrCwLrg.md?language=fr) # I’ve tried the odd few different versions of the soil moisture meters… _Publié par Tom le 2025-09-21_ I’ve tried the odd few different versions of the soil moisture meters and never found them reliable, normally just put finger in to test, which is a pain as I have the fungus gnat toppers ( diatomaceous earth) on mine, brings soil up when testing so have to recover each time. Just tried putting one in water (see pic) water definitely dry 😂 . Anyone use a reliable one they know works, assuming a powered meter version would work but not tried one yet. ![Pièce jointe 1 sur 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/iNTxcaMdihIiF3cG-Oo_w7l-8xOwzfBzSxhBmxMmzcs/uXCyETUKQcGvDQ2qmoUBSw.webp?size=large) ## 16 commentaires ### Nan a commenté le 2025-09-21 I notice that too, I’m wondering.. did you try sticking the meter so the silver is submerged in water? I notice I can’t get quite a good reading when the pot is small, but I get a better reading when the pot is larger. I also noticed when I stick it in different areas in the larger pot I get different readings. I swear, it was highly rated on Amazon? I don’t know… maybe we are missing something😂 #### Tom ha respondido el 2025-09-21 Yes I’ll tried in different areas and depths of different pots, drying of in between all tests, even tried same hole a few times and still different, so not using again, going in bin ### Hayley a commenté le 2025-09-21 Moisture meters read electrical conductance, not the actual amount of water present. Water is a good conductor, but the air in dry soil is not. Freshly potted plants (soil not yet compacted) and plants potted in a very airy soil mix will skew readings. The amount of salts present (from watering with hard water or adding fertilizer) also change the conductivity, which affects the readings. Also, most moisture meters should tell you in the instructions and care info that you can't use them in water or leave them in the soil for long; it ruins them. Personally, I use a combination of testing the weight of the pot, sticking my finger in the soil, and using a skewer in the soil to determine if it's time to water #### Hayley ha respondido el 2025-09-21 ![Pièce jointe 1 sur 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/E74oCroo69AYnE3elMqN0uKik2R2q0ROCGKjlRpMOR4/8wF8LggfS724htrZ3eph7g.webp?size=large) #### Tom ha respondido el 2025-09-21 Yes looked on Amazon for a digital version and found in reviews this pic, also like u said not to be used in water, sort of defeats the purpose if can’t get that wet, mite try a battery powered version ![Pièce jointe 1 sur 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/iNTxcaMdihIiF3cG-Oo_w7l-8xOwzfBzSxhBmxMmzcs/fHYzwpyNSrSdDZNadvJuNA.webp?size=large) ### Amie206 a commenté le 2025-09-21 I always used those meters in the past, but I did come to believe they are unreliable. I switched to using skewers. Shove it in, pull it out, if there is dirt on the skewer it’s wet. While it’s not as sustainable, I get 4 uses out of the skewer. Top, bottom, break in half for the two “middles”. Also, clear pots - game changer because tou can see if the soil is still wet and keep an eye on what the roots are doing. Clear nursery pot into cache pot and they still look nice in your house #### Tom ha respondido el 2025-09-21 Yes I use all clear pots apart from one as couldn’t find one bigger anough, I sometimes now lift out to see if looks dry or condensated, mite try skewers, how long do you leave them in before pulling out , say like 5minutes #### Amie206 ha respondido el 2025-09-21 If I’m being patient, 2 ish minutes. ### MorningJorie a commenté le 2025-09-21 I prefer using a chopstick! I keep a cup of used ones near my plant stuff and it can get deep down into the soil. If it comes up with soil on it, it’s wet! #### MorningJorie ha respondido el 2025-09-21 Sustainable and reliable every time! #### Tom ha respondido el 2025-09-21 Thank you, I’ll give it a try ### Jennrox a commenté le 2025-09-21 I rely on a chopstick and lifting the pot if possible. You can tell the difference between dry dust and wet soil once you’ve seen it/felt it. #### Ani ha respondido el 2025-09-22 Do you have different chopsticks for your plants? #### Jennrox ha respondido el 2025-09-22 I have a different one for different areas. ### Dead Plant Society a commenté le 2025-09-22 It might be unnecessary but I try not to "cross contaminate" my chopsticks . Though my corn plants are over 8 feet now, and Im looking for something longer. Ideas anyone? #### Amie206 ha respondido el 2025-09-22 I don’t cross contaminate either. Maybe a skinny dowel you can get at Lowe’s or your local hardware store? --- _La communauté Planta (https://getplanta.com). La lecture est ouverte à tous. 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