Moisture meters - container plants

[Coniferman]

Anyone had any experience with one of these meters you stick in the soil and the dial reads 0 to 10 to show the moisture content. (cost about 4 or 5 pound) Just wondering if they are reliable. Whenever I use it, it seems to show off-the-dial wet, yet I have stopped watering and the soil seems powdery dry.

Am I overwatering or is the dial not accurate.

 

[Chud]

I wouldn't bother personally - I seem to do all right with the following set up for containers:

bottom layer - 1-2cm of gravel - more if a big deep pot
next 2/3 of container - compost with water retaining gel and slow release plant food mixed in.
top 1/3 compost

You can also add a layer of gravel on top and this helps cut down water loss.

If you use a good free draining compost like West + you can pretty much water to saturation every other day without the plants suffering as any excess drains straight out.