Garden and Compost Moisture Meter

The REOTEMP Backyard Moisture Meter (MM15) measures the moisture content of your soil or compost pile by means of a sensor at the bottom of the probe. While composting or gardening you often may wonder: How wet's your soil?™ Now you will know and be able to more efficiently compost, garden or simply know if your plants need more water. The 0 to 10 scale of the MM15 indicates a relative "wetter" or "dryer". Note: the probe will not display a percent moisture. The probe is sensitive only at the tip. Calibration instructions are conveniently printed on the side of the meter head so you never lose them.

• Easy to Operate

• Long 15"/38cm Length, with a Thick 5/16"/.8cm Diameter Stem

• Calibrates to Your Soil or Compost, 0-10 Wetness Scale

• Powered by One AAA Battery (Included)

• Rugged Metal Construction

15"/38cm Length, with a Thick 5/16"/.8cm Diameter Stem

SETUP

1. Pull and remove the red strip from back of head to activate the battery.
2. Find a sample of soil or compost that is similar to what you plan to test regularly.
3. Add water to your sample until it is at your ideal moisture level. Your ideal level will vary depending on your plant type,compost or goal.
4. Insert the meter stem into your sample (at least 1 inch).
5. Once the meter is inserted, use a small flat head screw driver to turn the calibration screw located on the back of the head to “5” on the 0 to 10 scale. Your meter is now calibrated.
6. Complete set up by placing the black plug that comes taped to the underside of the meter head into the calibration port on the back of the head. This is optional and is just to prevent dirt or debris from entering the meter.
   
   SAMPLING PROCEDURE
   Insert your meter into your soil or compost. Never force the stem into compacted or extremely
   hard soil or through dense mediums such as wood chips as this could damage the probe.
   
   INTERPRETING YOUR RESULTS
   In general, the meter will give you a relative wetter or dryer reading based on your calibration.
   A reading under 5 is too dry. A reading over 5 is too wet. The calibration feature allows for
   use on a great variety of moisture levels, plants and mediums.
   
   BATTERY REPLACEMENT
   The battery is included and is already installed. With normal usage it will typically last
   one season. When replacement becomes necessary, (unable to obtain a meter reading of
   “8-10” in a cup of tap water even with Calibration Screw in maximum clockwise position)
   replace with a standard AAA battery.
   
   Using a phillips head screwdriver, unscrew the 4 screws on the sides of the meter head.
   Remove the back plate. You may need to pry the nested back section off using your screw driver.
   Once the back panel is removed, you will be able to access and replace the battery. Care must be taken to maintain correct polarity of the battery. The plus (+) side is marked
   on the holder.
   Once the new battery is installed, replace the back cover and screws lining the calibration hole up with the calibration screw.

1. What is my ideal moisture level as mentioned in the calibration instructions? How do I know what “ideal” is?
   You can think of your ideal moisture level as your target moisture. This can vary from person to person because you may be using the moisture
   meter to test potted cactus (relatively dry) while another person may use it to test tomatoes (high water requirement). Whatever your use, get a sample ready that is at your target moisture level and set the meter to 5 on the readout to calibrate.
   
   
2. How do I read my Reotemp Garden and Compost Moisture Meter?
   In general, the meter will give you a relative wetter or dryer reading based on your calibration. A reading under 5 is too dry. A reading over 5 is too wet. The calibration feature allows for use on a great variety of moisture levels, plants and mediums.
   
   
3. I am getting inconsistent results. Is that because of salt in the soil?
   We would recommend double checking the calibration first and the battery. The sensor works by reading the electrical current passed through the water in soil. Inconsistent readings could be the result of different salt levels in the soil as salt affects conductivity. The more salt in the soil, the more conductive the soil will be and the higher (wetter) it will read. So if you have two soil samples that have the same moisture, if one has salt added to it, it will read higher.