3
“Planting” the Soil Moisture Sensor in Turf or Lawns
1. Cut a slightly “V” shaped trench about 5” wide at the top, and about 6” deep into
the turf, and 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
set snugly in the soil.
4. Replace the plug removed from the trench and compact it back into place. It will
repair itself in short order.
5. 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. [Values go from
wettest (0 cb) to driest (200 cb).]
Note:
In turf or lawns, you will not usually need to water turf until the soil moisture reading is around 25-
40 centibars at the recommended 3”-5” depth.
In agricultural installations, you will usually not need to water crops until the soil moisture reading
is around 30-60 centibars for most soil types. For heavy clay, the usual range for irrigation is 60-
100 centibars.
Extending Sensor Cables
Sensors come with a 15’ (4.6 m) cable.
• If more length is required, up to 800’ (244 m) of additional wire can be spliced
onto the sensor wire.
• The additional wire must be fully waterproof.
• We recommend using #18 gauge wire with UF insulation, and using a 3M
Scotchpak or Duraseal heat shrink splice connector.
Note:
Avoid long wire runs near power cables. The transient currents can affect the small current used
to read the sensors.
Removing the Sensor
1. When removing sensor 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 the sensor is removed for winter storage, rinse it in water to clean it, let it
dry, then store the sensor in a clean, dry location.