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Location

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Date Posted

Watlington, UK

Does anyone use a probe to read SMC? I was wondering what the ideal soil moisture % is for pumpkins.

7/11/2020 6:10:28 AM

South Dakota

I'm using a moisture probe this year, as last year I totally over watered and caused root rot that ended my season. My probe goes about 4 inches deep, and if the needle goes down below 7, or basically down from the pegged out "wet" end of the meter, I will start to consider irrigating if rain is not in the near future. I have a loam soil that leans toward the clay side, so my soil holds a lot of water. The soil type you are growing in makes a differance in how long it takes to dry out, hence, when to water after the meter says things are drying out is really something you are going to have to play with a little to know your soil. Hope this helps.

7/11/2020 8:50:51 AM

Watlington, UK

Yes I'm reading up on it at the moment, but it is tricky because as you say there are no hard and fast rules due to everybody's soil being different.
Even so, there should be an ideal moisture content for pumpkin soil. 10%? 25%? More?

7/11/2020 11:17:00 AM

Central NY

Don’t quote me, and I can’t remember which grower, Quinn Werner maybe?... 68% during fruit load . Pretty sure I read that 2 seasons ago.

7/12/2020 8:17:53 AM

Nampa

% soil moisture also depends on the type of soil that you have.Sandier soil will need to be watered more often and kept wetter than soil with more clay. https://irrometer.com/basics.html Here's some basic information from Irrometer.

7/13/2020 11:33:27 AM