Does it also work as a soil thermometer, when you might insert it only a few inches into the soil?
1602765
For what you're doing, thermometer placement would be critical. You'll have a much higher temperature gradient in soil than in compost. You might try inserting at a shallow angle to get more of the probe at a given depth.
1602766
It did for us. We have used it to check soil temps for transplanting and direct seeding vegetables. I don't remember how far down we checked, but it was enough that the thermometer didn't fall over; so probably more than 1 -3 inches.
1602767
Most of these type of thermometers use a bi-metal material in the tip. However, due to the length of the probe I couldn't say just how far up the tip the bi-metal material goes. The bottom line is that "I don't know".
1602768
It probably would- haven't tried it that way- but when thinking about it- the compost that we have been putting the thermometer in is almost like soil so I would think it would work. Probably not compacted soil though. Id go for it- the thermometer is durable.
1327864
Yes, it can. I have been using mine for all spring and summer and it has done fine. Now that it is hot out, I have noticed that it tends to stretch when the thermometer heats up, and this can't be good, so be sure to not stretch it out as you use it. Otherwise, it has worked just fine!
1837356
Hi Terrie, Yes, you can just use a portion of the shaft to get the soil temperature. I use it in the shallow greenhouse planting medium as well as outdoors to check ground temperature before planting seeds.
64873
Probe is pointed and several inches long. It could easily be used to measure soil moisture level in lawn or garden. The indicator gauge pointer just give the approximation (DRY-MOIST-WET), not actual percentage. It's not that high tech, but the simplicity is what's handy for outdoor/gardening use.
1587442
yes , you can use it to check the temperature.but the one I bought just so happens it doesn't work at all.so the answer is No because this product is terrible.
1703405
All of the above...from, say, a few inches away from a surface, it will read the average temperature of an area maybe an inch round. From a few feet, it will give you the average of maybe a foot and so on. Its basically "seeing" the temperature of an area through a hole from a short distance, in a sense. Hope that helpsPS. I point it at things like the sun and into empty space...its really a fascinating toy at the very least.
1195210
I have found things as deep as 2 feet, but I have not really used it much for deep soil searching. Use it mostly for shallow searching because it is a lot harder to find deeper.
2006331
It is not meant to stay in the plant pot. It is for testing the soil only to see if it needs to be watered. If it has disintegrated, throw it away and get another. They are reasonable. But use it as a tester only!
369745
If only are only intending to measure the superficial temperature, (not the inner temperature of the product) then the answer is "YES". I often use this device to check the temperature of the marmalade process to see if the packaging temperature is adequate.
1570450
I haven't used it for that purpose. It could really screw up the soil. But my PM problem started when I fertilized the lawn. This year I did not fertilize the lawn and my PM problem is greatly reduced!
785345
It will only measure surface temp. I use it to measure the temperature of milk for cheese making and I have to stir it really well before I measure to get an accurate reading.
2144052
No, this probe didn't work. I'm not sure whether the problem was the probe or the base of the thermometer. It was quite disappointing as I didn't use the thermometer very much and I didn't think it would fail as soon as it did.
218365
I believe if you push it into the ground as far as it will go the sensor will pick up a skunk moving along the ground==we use ours for deer so I'm not positive, but I know my German Shepherd sets it off every time she goes near it!
640413
No, it'much smaller; maybe 1.5" w x 1" h x .5 d. I used it as a temp gauge for my pond and is installed in a weatherproof electrical box on a post.
152024
I've never tried but I would assume not. I believe it's only meant to measure air temperature.
1455769
The reading is almost immediately and seems accurate so far. I have two of these on my outside plants but they are in pots. I think the ground would be different since it is a larger area, maybe for a quick check if you put it near a plant on the ground but I wouldn't leave it in the ground.
2014393
I'm not sure. The soil has to be somewhat loose in order to insert the probe. If it is too hard I think the probe could be damaged.