Testing Soil Temperature

[veggiechicken]

There's been a lot of talk here about having the right soil temperature for planting. So, please will someone tell me whether, and how they do it (apart from the bare bottom method, Potty, thank you )

[gingerbilly]

With heavy clay soil it's easy .....back of your hand onto the soil....if it feels cold ....then it's to cold for seed!!!

If you've got money then buy soil thermometers.......but I dont think it's an absolute science....some seeds that shouldn't germinate at a certain temperature still do and some seed that should actually dont.....

I blame the Tories!!!!

[Aberdeenplotter]

I don't check as such but the best guidance is to pay attention to what nature is telling us. If weeds are germinating and growing, it's time for us to get growing

[veggiechicken]

I've never tested temperature either - just rely on my gut instinct - but reading some of the recent posts, if I were a newby, I'd be wondering how to go about this - especially when its something like "don't plant below 4C" or "plant out when soil is 6C".

[alldigging]

Will be measuring soil temp tmorrow. Have digital thermometer thing..
Might have another type too.

[Aberdeenplotter]

I do have a soil thermometer but I only use that to check the thermostat on my heated grow bench is working properly.

[Thelma Sanders]

I bought a cheapy probe-type soil thermometer a few years ago - I suppose it's still in the shed somewhere
you can tell, it gets a lot of use

[zazen999]

My rule of thumb is, if the weeds start to grow, then I can sow hardy stuff. If the spuds in the compost as I'm mulching are growing, then I can put spuds in. Anything else has to wait until I can go out and garden without my cardi on.

Hardy - spuds - cardi. Works for me.

[veggiechicken]

Anything else has to wait until I can go out and garden without my cardi on.

Is that so that you can test the temp with your elbow, Zaz?

[Hazel at the Hill]

I've never tested soil temp before, but Richard-three-plots-down said a couple of Sundays ago that he'd measured his and it was 2degrees.

Now that struck me as really cold, but then again, the forget me nots (which are jolly pretty but self seed like there is no tomorrow) were springing up all over along with other weed seed, so it goes to show that what I would consider to be really inhospitable chilliness is ok for some!

[gingerbilly]

I'm not to sure why some amongst us would sooner strip down to their under crackers and test the soil with their bare bottoms....especially those with plots/gardens full of raised beds were they would have to stand at a great height to be able to do that.......so in that case it's not like it's a private thing......

I think people who use that naked posterior option have insecurities.....

[zazen999]

Is that so that you can test the temp with your elbow, Zaz?

No point. Elbow smashed to pieces several years ago. Has no feelings of hot or cold.

Potatoes are going in tomorrow...bed all prepped today. Bring it on!

[veggiechicken]

Yep - its summer time tomorrow - as good a day as any to get planting

[veggiechicken]

I'm not to sure why some amongst us would sooner strip down to their under crackers and test the soil with their bare bottoms....especially those with plots/gardens full of raised beds were they would have to stand at a great height to be able to do that.......so in that case it's not like it's a private thing......

I think people who use that naked posterior option have insecurities.....

I think I know what my challenge for the week is...............

[Likac66]

I'm so glad someone else asked this as Issa wondering the same. I think I might get a soil thermometer. They sell them in the allotment shop or I can get one on a certain auction site.