Instruction Manual

Page 18 Wireless Leaf & Soil Moisture/ Temperature Sta-
3. Press the sensors into the soil at about a 45 degree angle into the side of the
trench to set the sensors about 3”-5” below the soil surface. Make sure they
are good and snug in the soil.
4. Set the plug removed from the trench and compact it back into place. It will
repair itself in short order.
5. Run the wires to the Leaf/Soil Station and connect them as described in
“Connecting Soil Moisture and Temperature Sensors” on page 13.
6. If you withhold irrigation for several days and allow the soil to dry down a
bit, you should see the soil moisture readings start to creep upward.
7. Usually, you will not need to water the turf until the reading is in the 25-40
area at the recommended 3”-5” depth.
Removing the Sensors
1. When removing sensors prior to harvest in annual crops, it’s a good idea to
do this just after the last irrigation when the soil is moist.
2. Do not pull the sensor out by the wires. You may have to dig out, at least
partially, any sensors more than 12” deep or any sensors in dry soil. Careful
removal prevents sensor and sensor membrane damage.
3. When sensors are removed for winter storage, clean the sensors, dry them,
and place them in a clean, dry location.
Using Soil Moisture Readings
Use this table as a general guide to interpret soil moisture readings. Monitoring
the soil moisture readings, and comparing them to your field or lawn condi-
tions over time, will help you develop a better understanding of how to inter-
pret your soil moisture readings.
Centibar Reading Soil Condition
0-10 Saturated Soil. Occurs for a day or two after irrigation.
10-20 Soil is adequately wet (except coarse sands which are drying out at
this range)
30-60 Usual range to irrigate or water (except heavy clay soils). Irrigate at
the upper end of this range in cool humid climates and with higher
water-holding capacity soils.
60-100 Usual range to irrigate heavy clay soils
100-200 Soil is becoming dangerously dry for maximum production. Pro-
ceed with caution.