[Goosegirl]

My plug plants are in John Innes No. 2 in modules (15 per tray) which was damp to start with and I haven't water them since as the trays still feel heavy and the top of the compost still feels damp. Is there any piece of kit you can use to help to know if they start to run short?

[Aunt Sally]

I use one of these :

soil moisture meter

[Goosegirl]

Thanks AS. I trust your judgment so, if it works for you, I've just ordered it.

[bobbyt]

Oooh, love gadgets, going to order me one of those. Thanks, I have trouble knowing when to water too.

[Goosegirl]

I used to do it by the weight of the pot or module tray, but John Innes is heavier so am now a newbie with it.

[Goosegirl]

It arrived yesterday so I tried it out, then went rushing for my garden hose as the begonias were rather dry. As I didn't want to over-water I just gave them a good fine misting, but today the meter still showed they were still dry so they've just had a good soaking with the fan hose pattern. Works well for me - thanks.

[bobbyt]

Just tried mine out too, tray of leeks in greenhouse showing dry, gave them a decent water and now been ok for two days. works well for me too. Even tried down allotment, showing very wet down there though 

[Goosegirl]

I'm finding that some modules showed dry despite my watering yesterday so it may be a good idea to use a watering can on those, also try sticking the probe in a couple of places in their pots or modules as there could be a difference in the composition of the compost in each one.

[Candide]

Yep, I got one of Aunt Sally's probes - works well

[bobbyt]

I'm finding that some modules showed dry despite my watering yesterday so it may be a good idea to use a watering can on those, also try sticking the probe in a couple of places in their pots or modules as there could be a difference in the composition of the compost in each one.

Yeah, I find it does vary, just tried it in a couple of places as you said. Seems to be very useful aid, always guesswork before, especially with seed modules as can't stick finger in those to test !