Davies, Mary Ann; Etter, Ted . 2009. Is It Time To Water? Wireless Soil Moisture Monitors Provide the Answer. 0924 2316P. Missoula, MT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Technology and Development Program.
This tech tip discusses the use of the HOBO Micro Weather Station with a soil moisture probe and an optional temperature sensor to communicate data wirelessly with a base station at the headquarters of the Coeur d'Alene Nursery in Coeur d'Alene, ID. Soil moisture was monitored at four plots as far as one-half mile from the nursery's headquarters, saving employees the time of going to the fields to check whether they needed to be watered. After one growing season with watering based on the wireless soil moisture monitors, the seedlings looked healthier than seedlings grown in previous years. Weeds weren't as common as they had been in previous years when plots were more likely to be overwatered.
Keywords: Coeur d’Alene Nursery, equipment development, evaluations, nurseries, solar power, water conservation
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