Why is peat free wet with soil meter?

I have some fresh opened peat free compost which measures wet on my moisture meter. It doesn't feel wet as far as I can tell but it is bully & could be deceptive. I'm undecided. Moisture meter is accurate on soils in general that I have. With Peat free though its possibly but possibly not correct.

Any experiences?

Thanks.

 

I suppose it depends on how your moisture meter works.
It could depend on the texture of the peat free compared to the peat based, the density could have an affect.
The only accurate way to measure soil moisture (that I'm aware of) is to take a sample weigh it, then onto a baking tray, into the oven at about 110, 120°C until the weight is constant and the difference from the starting weight is the mosture.
You can get instruments that will do this for you, but pricey

 

I think this is where moisture meters fall down, I dont know how they work but I usually use my finger in the pot.
If it feels damp it doesn't need watering.
Appearance is something you can go on as well, so if it looks wet, it probably is.

 

Wonder why you want to use a moisture meter on your pot plants or are you new to gardening or just find it difficult to judge when to water ?

Could there be some metalic particles in the compost causing the meter to misread ?

Its surprising what else folk put in their brown bins that then gets shredded and composted and ends up in your bags of compost...?

Would be careful of putting it in the oven, as again some man made composts might also have bits of plastic in there which could melt or combust or give off toxic fumes if dried in a too high temperature ?

 

I use a moisture meter a lot and it seems accurate. I get tired of dirty fingernails!

 

Thats a surprise Lori !

Usually find just looking at the compost surface and just lifting the pot a fraction to feel its weight is all thats needed, plus if you miss things the plants soon wilt to let you know.

Think moisture meters may have a place as part of an automantic watering sysytem.
Did once look into making or buying a moisture meter device but never found any consistent positive comment about the accuracy of such meters.

 

I've never really used them. The friend I shared an allotment with once had one & I tried it on a couple of plants in the greenhouse there but it didn't seem very good. I use the tried & proven method of looking at the colour of the compost, lifting the pot a little to gauge its weight or push a finger into the compost.

 

Ok thanks folks that's interesting. I am a fairly good Gardner but I like moisture meters as I find I've saved quite a few plants that might feel moist in one part but actually deeper or further round or if the soil is a bit hard you have problems with finger methods. It's pretty successful after 3 reading around the same plant on averages. So this peat free is a bit if a mystery as to whether it's actually wet. It does clump up & not crumble after with the clump test I think they once called it. It feels like you can't tell whether it's wet or dry even though you don't think it's fully wet. First time I've been confused. What was the clump test for I can't remember now?

 

Perhaps worth trying a couple of other brands of non peat compost and seeing how they read on your meter, though be aware many of the popular different brands you see in the shops come from just a couple of manufacturers.

Be interested to know what brand and model your moisture meter is ?

 

I think moisture meters work by measuring the electrical conductivity of the soil. The wetter it is, the more conducive it will be. But there's a problem. Lots of other things will affect the electrical properties, like pH, particle size and density, temperature, and of course the instrument itself, like the condition of the probes and it's battery.

I once had a solar powered one. It was about as much use as a chocolate teapot.

 

My moisture meter has different settings. One to check moisture, another to check PH and then the third is for light.

It beats sticking my finger in the pots or for that matter picking up a 30 pound pot to see if it feels lighter.

Once I get all of these plants outside, I will be using the meter to adjust the automatic capillary/bottom watering settings.

Yes, droopy plants or yellowing leaves are a great signs that something is wrong but I prefer to do my best to catch things before any chance of stressing the plant.

 

Two points:
Ensure pots have drainage and it is clear.
Water from the bottom. Allow to drain.

 

Must admit I do notice that often peat free looks dry when it is actually quite wet.
But probably something that we can get used to.

 

Exactly.

I've read a number of articles around the internet where people are complaining that peat free compost doesn't work so well. My interpretation is that peat free compost doesn't work so well if you treat it exactly the same as peat based. I guess it just introduces a new learning opportunity as we tweak things a bit to figure out what works best.