Soil thermometer

[roitelet]

My soil thermometer for some strange reason has gone all peculiar. The red stuff has separated so that it no longer records anything.

Does anyone have any ideas as to how I can get all together again?

[Jimny14]

Oohh bother has it been stored flat or upside down? Try holding it upright and tapping it Repeatedly against your other hand, the gas bubbles may rise to the top and allow the liquid back to the bottom, it can take quite a while.

[roitelet]

It’s been stored the right way up. I will give tapping a go. I have had the same problem with other thermometers since they stopped using mercury. If it happened with that it was fairly easy to correct it.

Thanks

[Jimny14]

Hhmmm, do you ever transport it in a car etc? Jiggling them about in cars or bikes etc especially on bumpy roads can cause it too

[Miss Mousetrousers]

Why don't you just stick your finger in the soil, and if it feels too cold to keep it in for more than a minute it's too cold to sow seeds!

[roitelet]

Thanks for the advice folks. Tried the tapping but the plastic case must have become brittle and broke. RIP thermometer. I will have to resort to more ancient methods now!!

[Jimny14]

I seem to remember something about Christine walkden suggesting that if the soil is too cold to sit on with a bare posterior it's too cold to sow veg.

[roitelet]

I will get himself out to test it!!!

[Greenleaves]

Try leaving it in a warm place for a few days