[LivvyW]

In the absence of a soil thermometer, i wondered if my never used meat thermometer would work?

[mumofstig]

do the temp markings go down low enough  maybe to zero deg? This would be my only concern. Other than that i don't see why not just poking probe into soil instead of chicken flesh.....................but what do i know.............there's only one way to find out

[Salmo]

You need to take the temperature at about 4 inches deep. Above that it will vary according to the air temperature.

[dougsta]

i don't think the meat thermometer will have an accurate enough scale.
I'm guessing here but I think it will go roughly between 0 and 100C - you need to measure between 0 and 10C if you are thinking of getting stuff in as early as poss.
Common sense is a good soil thermometer - if it feels cold it is probably too cold.
What are you thinking of putting in?

[celjaci]

it is said that some of the old farmers used to drop their trousers and sit on the soil to test it.
 Most sensitive parts an all that!!

Mind you to try that on the allotment might be a stupid notion!!

[elibump]

Dont know.  Would have been a blessed relief on the allotments I knew in UK!