17
• Carefully backfill the access hole with soil to eliminate any air pockets.
5. You can solvent weld the 1/2” Class 315 PVC
tubing to the sensor collar for easier installation
and removal.
• Use a PVC/ABS cement (IPS Weld-on #794 or
equivalent).
6. After you have installed the soil moisture sen-
sors, the sensors will need one or two irrigation
cycles to “break-in” and acclimate to the soil
conditions and provide better accuracy.
Installation Procedure for Turf/Lawns
1. Cut a slight “V” shaped trench about 5” wide at
the top and about 6” deep into the turf--about 6”
long.
2. Lift out the turf plug piece you just cut.
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 “Con-
necting 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 par-
tially, 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 conditions over
time, will help you develop a better understanding of how to interpret your soil
moisture readings.
Sensor
Wires
Tape
1/2" PVC Pipe
Pipe welded to
sensor collar with
PVC/ABS cement
Soil Moisture
Sensor
PVC Pipe Welded to Soil Moisture Sen-
sor Collar
