Various plants and vegetables require a different soil temperature to grow. Seeds of plants that grow in cold temperatures will not germinate if the temperature is too warm.
Similarly, plants that favor a warm climate will not develop in a cold soil temperature.
Knowledge of your soil temperature will tell you when to plant, and for this particular purpose, you will need a quality soil thermometer. Here are some solid picks to consider.
1. Luster Leaf 1625
Luster Leaf 1625 is calibrated to be used in soil. It is designed in a way that can be used to measure the temperature of the soil without any problems.
It has a digital screen that is easy to read. The digital meter leaves no space for making an error while taking a reading. The long, stainless-steel probe is very helpful in obtaining accurate results.
Strong batteries ensure that it keeps running for a very long time. You can take approximately 1,000-1,200 readings before you will need to replace the batteries.
The dial also gives suggestions for the various types of plants that would favor the current soil temperature.
The thermometer comes with an instruction manual on how to use it and take proper readings. Even though it has a very clean and simple interface, the instruction manual gives clear directions so that there is absolutely no confusion.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 1.4 x 1.8 x 9 inches
- Weight: 45.3 grams
- Manufacturer: Luster Leaf
- Batteries: Vinnic 1154
- Probe length: Nine inches
Pros
- Easy-to-read digital results
- Simple and user-friendly interface
- Lightweight and easy to store
- Has guidelines for germination and transplant
Cons
- Won’t work in moisture
- Only gives reading in Fahrenheit
- Low range
2. Veegee Scientific 82160
With a large, glass-covered display, Veegee 82160 makes it easy to get readings of the temperature of your soil. It has a strong and sturdy build and a six-inch, stainless steel stem that makes it highly durable.
The range of this thermometer is impressive going from -40̊ F to 160̊ F. However, it has a large dial, and the font of the numbers is also large. This minimizes the risks of committing any human errors while taking a reading.
The thermometer is highly receptive and accurate in its readings. A simple adjustment nut in the back can be used for calibrating the device.
The strong build of this thermometer allows it to be used in dry and rough soils. It can also be used in areas where weather is a little extreme because of its high range.
It has an analog scale, which means that its battery will last for a considerably long period of time.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 4 x 3.6 x 8 inches
- Weight: 178.6 grams
- Manufacturer: Veegee Scientific
- Diameter: One inch
- Thickness: 0.25 inch
- Probe length: Eight inches
Pros
- Highly durable
- High range
- Accurate
- Easy to calibrate
- Easy to read
Cons
- Only gives a reading in Fahrenheit
3. AcuRite 00661
AcuRite 00661 thermometer is a great tool for healthy seeding and planting. Its sleek design and big dial make it a perfect choice for both indoor potting and outdoor gardening.
It has a very high temperature range from 0̊ to 220̊ F. This would be particularly helpful for tending to your garden in extreme summers.
The seven-inch, stainless steel stem provides an easy reach to measure soil temperature at greater depths. The simple design also makes it very easy to clean.
It also has a protective sheath that makes the thermometer a little stronger. This AcuRite thermometer comes with a pocket clip, so it can be easily carried while doing your work.
This model does not require batteries, so you are spared the hustle of having to look for batteries for your soil thermometer.
It is also fairly easy to calibrate and has a very quick response time.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 1.8 x 1.8 x 7 inches
- Weight: 38.8 grams
- Manufacturer: AcuRite
- Material: Stainless steel
- Batteries: Not required
- Probe Length: Seven inches
Pros
- Easy to carry
- High range
- Quick response time
- Accurate
- No batteries required
Cons
- Only gives reading in Fahrenheit
- Difficult to get readings
4. General Tools T300-36
This is the ideal thermometer for taking soil temperature, and it comes with a variety of features.
It has a 3-inch-wide dial with a clear glass screen that makes it very easy to take readings. The analog dial means that it is energy efficient and will work for a very long time without the need to replace it.
The probe of this thermometer is an astounding thirty-six-inch long rod. It is made from stainless steel, which makes it rust-free. Its rugged design ensures that it remains usable for a very long time.
The distinguishing feature of this thermometer is its high resistance to water. It has been fitted with a half-inch National Pipe Tapered thread.
Another important feature is that it gives readings in both Fahrenheit and Celsius. This is very helpful, because most thermometers only have a Fahrenheit scale, and you have to do a mental calculation from Fahrenheit to Celsius while gardening.
The range of the scale is very high, going from 0̊ to 220̊ Fahrenheit or from -18̊ to 104̊ on the Celsius scale. This means that this thermometer will work in both summer and winter.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 3.25 x 3.25 x 36 inches
- Weight: 340.1 grams
- Manufacturer: General Tools
- Batteries: Not required
- Shower Proof: Yes
- Probe Length: Thirty-six inches
Pros
- Measure temperature at low depths
- No batteries required
- Both Celsius and Fahrenheit scales
- High range
- Shower Proof
Cons
- Rod is prone to bending
- Takes slightly longer to get a reading
5. Cootway Backyard Compost/Soil Thermometer
Cootway Backyard soil thermometer is the ideal choice for beginner-level gardeners. It has all the features needed in a soil thermometer that are essential to take good care of your plants.
It has a two-inch-wide dial with a lightweight and high-quality PC-coated lens. The lens gives extra strength to the dial and adds to the durability of this thermometer. It is fitted with a hermetic seal that makes it waterproof and eliminates the risk of fogging on the dial.
The thermometer physically determines temperature, so it does not need any batteries.
The scale gives readings in both Celsius and Fahrenheit. It has a range from 40̊ to 180̊ F (10̊ to 76̊ Celsius). The dial has 2̊ F increments, so it is very easy to take accurate readings.
It has a twenty-inch long, 0.18 inch wide, stainless steel probe. The probe is not only strong enough to take readings at low depths without bending, but it is also highly responsive. This thermometer takes only thirty seconds to give a reading.
The thermometer itself is made of high-quality, rustless, stainless steel. It is securely welded between the dial and stem to remain functional for a very long time.
The dial also has a composting guide with three temperature zones that indicate the temperature — these are compost steady, active, and hot. With a one-year warranty, this is a great choice for a soil thermometer.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 2 x 2 x 20 inches
- Weight: 166.1 grams
- Manufacturer: Esuper
- Material: Stainless steel
- Batteries: Not required
- Waterproof: Yes
- Probe Length: Twenty inches
Pros
- Water and fog-resistant
- Durable stainless steel build
- Easy readability
- Quick response time
- Both Celsius and Fahrenheit scale
- One-year warranty
- Low price
Cons
- Heavy and difficult to carry
- Analog dial is prone to human error while taking reading
What to Look For in a Soil Thermometer
In this section, we will discuss which thermometer you should choose based on your requirements.
Cost-Effective Thermometer
If gardening is a hobby for you and you don’t want to spend any extra money on it or if you are on a budget, a low-cost soil thermometer would be the best choice for you.
At the same time, you don’t want to buy a thermometer that, though cheap, has compromised measuring integrity.
The best decision, in this case, would be a thermometer that gives efficient and accurate readings but does not have extraordinary features that make it costly.
If this is the case, you should check out this Vee Gee Scientific Thermometer. It is wallet-friendly but does not compromise the soil measuring capability and durability of the thermometer.
Finding the Best Soil Thermometer
If you are not concerned with cost and need a soil thermometer that does not leave any space for doubt or mistake, you need to consider the quality of some basic features in the product that you wish to buy.
Determining the reliability of the dial is very important, as that is where the temperature of the soil is shown. There are two types of dials, digital and analog.
Even though you can take very accurate readings from a digital meter, the calculation itself is prone to error because of electrical sensitivity.
Analog dials are better suited in this respect. However, taking readings from analog dials can be a bit unreliable, as the readings could be a little off due to human error. It is best to buy a thermometer with a large dial, so the risk of taking inaccurate readings is minimized.
Another thing you should consider is the probe of the thermometer. The length of the probe should be whatever suits you best, but you should take care that the probe is strong enough not to bend or break while using it. A stainless steel probe would not rust and should remain useful for a long time.
Other features like high water resistance, fog resistance, and quick response time do improve quality but are not essential features of a soil thermometer. They are also very costly so it depends on your requirements and your budget.
If quality is your preference, this General Tools soil thermometer will not disappoint you.
Thermometer With the Best Features
Many of the latest soil thermometers come with many helpful features.
Hermetically sealed thermometers are highly water-resistant and can be left in your garden overnight without taking any damage. They are also sealed in a way that fog cannot enter the dial and affect the readability.
Some thermometers even have planting tips and guidance as to what temperature would be best for what kind of plants.
So if you want a thermometer with the best features, Cootway Backyard soil thermometer will be the ideal choice. It has a large dial with a PC-coated lens, fog protection, water resistance, a long stainless steel rod, a planting guide, and other features at a considerably low price.
FAQs
What should the thermometer read before inserting it into compost/soil?
Since a thermometer measures the temperature of its surroundings, a soil thermometer would give the reading of the air temperature when it is not in use.
How far should I insert the stem into the soil to get a reading?
It is a common misconception that you need to insert the entire length of the stem to get a result.
The temperature is actually measured at the lower part of the probe, and most thermometers also have a mark indicating how deep you need to insert it to get a reading.
Can this thermometer be used for taking cooking temperature?
Soil thermometers, as the name suggests, are designed to measure the temperature of the soil.
Most soil thermometers do not have a very high range to measure cooking temperature. You will only end up damaging or at least reducing, the reliability of your soil thermometer.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a soil thermometer will make gardening much more successful. It will help to ensure that your plants have the right conditions to thrive in.
With so many options to choose from, people can be misled into buying a faulty product or buying an expensive one with sophisticated features that they have no use for.
Now you know not only the best products that are available on the market, but also how to make an informed decision about a soil thermometer that will be best suited to your needs. Good luck and happy gardening!