Technology in the garden - soil moisture sensor

We've all done it.  Stuck a finger into the soil, decided it feels a bit dry and reached for the hosepipe.  But what if your garden could tell you when it actually needs watering?

Soil moisture sensors are clever little gadgets that take much of the guesswork out of watering.  Some are simple handheld devices that give you an instant reading, while more sophisticated wireless versions transmit information to your smartphone, allowing you to check what's happening beneath the surface without even stepping outside.

You can monitor different parts of the garden simultaneously.  So, while your hydrangeas might be gasping for a drink, your established shrubs could be perfectly happy.  Rather than watering everything indiscriminately, you can concentrate on the plants that genuinely need it.

And there's another advantage.  Overwatering can be just as damaging as underwatering, particularly in heavy soils where roots can become waterlogged.  A moisture sensor provides useful evidence rather than relying entirely on guesswork.

Basic moisture meters cost less than £10, while wireless versions generally start at around £15–£20, although some require a separate gateway to connect to your phone.

Of course, no gadget can replace an experienced gardener's judgement.  Different plants have different requirements, and moisture readings need interpreting accordingly.

But with water becoming an increasingly precious resource, particularly after another summer of drought and hosepipe bans, this is one piece of garden technology that might actually earn its keep.  And save you a few unnecessary trips with the watering can.