On 2/13/2008 I purchased two SoilMoisture.com tensiometers from Fruit Growers Supply in Santa Paula, CA.
A tensiometer is a device that measures the suction
required to pull water from the soil. At about 40 centabars, it is probably time to irrigate
The two tensiometers are placed at different depths...one at a depth of about 12 inches, and one at a depth of about 18 inches. This
allows me to monitor when to start irrigation(the shallow tensiometer) and when to cut off the water (the deeper tensiometer).
I have never worked with tensionmeters before, and it seems to me there is little practical information about them, so here are
pictures of my ordeal installing them. My plan is to also purchase a DC current bases gauge, so my PC can be used to read the
measurements, record them, and let me know the best irrigation schedule.
Pictures: