Soil Moisture Sensors: What They Are and When to Use Them

Water is one of your biggest investments, whether you’re managing crops, fairways, or large landscapes. This means that moisture retention is always going to be an important part of your process. You want to use every drop well, but guessing when to irrigate can cost you in yield, turf quality, or wasted water. Soil moisture sensors can give you the clear data you need to irrigate at the right time, with the right amount, and in the right places across your property.

At Vanden Bussche Irrigation, we help farms, golf courses, and landscape professionals across Ontario integrate soil moisture sensors into their irrigation design so they can move from guesswork to informed decisions. Here’s what you need to know about how they work, where to use them, and how to turn sensor data into action.

What Are Soil Moisture Sensors?

Soil moisture sensors measure the amount of water present in the soil. They work by detecting how much water is held in the soil particles, giving you an accurate snapshot of moisture at different depths. These sensors can be simple handheld probes or advanced in-ground units that relay continuous data to your phone or computer.

Think of them as your eyes underground. While your turf or crops may look fine on the surface, soil moisture sensors tell you what’s happening below where the roots are working.

 

How Soil Moisture Is Measured

Soil moisture is typically measured in volumetric water content (VWC), shown as a percentage of water volume compared to soil volume. Readings can also be displayed as centibars (cb) or kilopascals (kPa), indicating soil tension, the force roots need to extract water.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

  • Higher VWC = wetter soil, lower tension
  • Lower VWC = drier soil, higher tension

A soil moisture sensor can show you when the soil is too dry for plant health or too wet, risking root damage and water waste. You can place sensors at multiple depths to monitor water movement and root zone moisture, allowing you to adjust irrigation schedules for deeper watering or lighter cycles as needed.

 

What Is the Most Accurate Soil Moisture Sensor?

The most accurate soil moisture sensors use capacitance or frequency domain technology to measure moisture reliably. Sensors like the CropX Soil Sensor offered by Vanden Bussche Irrigation are known for precision, ease of installation, and consistent data delivery.

CropX sensors install quickly, collect real-time data, and can integrate with your irrigation systems for automated scheduling. This level of accuracy supports your decision-making whether you’re managing moisture for potato crops, greens on a golf course, or high-value landscape installations.

 

When and Where to Use Soil Moisture Sensors

Soil moisture technology is a valuable tool when it comes to agriculture, turf management, and landscaping. Here’s when to consider using them:

Agriculture: When you’re irrigating high-value or water-sensitive crops, sensors help you avoid under- or overwatering. They support consistent moisture for root development and help maximize yield while conserving water.

Golf and Turf: For superintendents, sensors help maintain firm, healthy turf without overwatering, which can lead to disease or playability issues.

Landscaping: Contractors use sensors to demonstrate efficient water use for clients and support plant establishment on new installations.

If you’re working in areas with variable soil conditions, slope, or microclimates, sensors give you targeted data for better zone management. They are especially helpful during hot, dry periods or during seasonal transitions when water needs to shift quickly.

Benefits of Pairing Sensors with Weather Stations

Using soil moisture sensors alongside weather stations like the uMetos Weather Station amplifies your irrigation efficiency. While sensors tell you what’s happening in the soil, weather stations track rainfall, humidity, temperature, and evapotranspiration rates. This combined data helps you understand when the soil is drying faster due to wind or heat, or when rainfall has reduced the need for scheduled irrigation.

Pairing sensors with weather stations supports:

  • Precise irrigation scheduling
  • Water conservation
  • Reduced operating costs
  • Healthier crops and turf

At Vanden Bussche Irrigation, we recommend this approach to many of our ag and turf clients looking to refine their irrigation strategy.

Featured VBI Products: CropX Sensors and uMetos Weather Stations

We’re excited to offer CropX Soil Sensors and uMetos Weather Stations as part of our advanced soil moisture sensor solutions at Vanden Bussche Irrigation. CropX sensors are wireless, easy to install, and deliver real-time data that’s accessible on your phone or desktop. Metos weather stations integrate seamlessly, providing localized weather data to enhance your moisture management.

Together, these tools form a smart irrigation solution that helps you make decisions backed by accurate data. Whether you’re managing a 100-acre farm, a full golf course, or multiple landscape projects, these products help you conserve water while supporting plant health and operational efficiency.

How to Interpret Sensor Data for Better Irrigation Scheduling

Getting data is one thing; knowing what to do with it is where you’ll see the value. Here’s a simple way to use your soil moisture sensors for scheduling:

Establish field capacity and wilting point: These are the upper and lower moisture limits for your soil type.

Monitor trends: Daily or weekly graphs will show how moisture changes after irrigation and rainfall.

Schedule irrigation: Water when your readings approach the lower threshold, allowing you to water before stress occurs while avoiding overwatering.

Adjust by crop stage: Seedlings and young plants may require higher moisture levels than mature crops or turf.

The VBI team can guide you through interpreting your sensor data and setting up alerts so you can act quickly, protecting your turf, crops, and bottom line.

 

Soil Type vs. VWC & Tension Ranges

Soil Type

Typical VWC Range (1%vol)

Tension Range (kPa)

   
Loams20–35%10–60
Clays30–45%

20–150

Sands5–15%

5–30

 

Get Started Today

Water is too valuable to waste, and your crops and turf are too important to leave to guesswork. Explore our smart irrigation solutions like CropX and uMetos to take control of your field’s moisture and make every drop count. Contact Vanden Bussche Irrigation today to find the right soil moisture sensor setup for your farm, course, or project, and prepare your operation for a smarter, water-efficient future.

 

FAQs

Q: What does a soil moisture sensor do?

A: A soil moisture sensor measures the amount of water in your soil to help you understand when and how much to irrigate. It provides real-time data by detecting water held in soil particles at various depths. This helps reduce water waste while supporting healthy plant growth and stronger yields.

 

Q: How accurate are soil moisture sensors?

A: High-quality soil moisture sensors, like those using capacitance or frequency domain technology, are highly accurate in measuring volumetric water content. Sensors such as the CropX Soil Sensor deliver consistent, precise readings to support effective irrigation decisions. This accuracy helps you avoid overwatering or underwatering, saving water and protecting plant health.

 

Q: Where should I place soil moisture sensors on my farm or golf course?

A: Place soil moisture sensors in representative areas of your property where soil conditions reflect your irrigation zones. Position them at multiple depths within the root zone to track moisture changes after rainfall or irrigation. This helps you understand water movement through the soil and supports informed irrigation scheduling.

 

Q: Can soil moisture sensors help reduce water usage?

A: Yes, soil moisture sensors can significantly reduce water usage by helping you irrigate only when and where it’s needed. By monitoring real-time moisture levels, you avoid unnecessary watering while ensuring crops and turf receive the moisture required for optimal growth. This targeted irrigation reduces water waste, lowers operating costs, and promotes sustainability.

 

Q: How do I use soil moisture sensor data to improve irrigation scheduling?

A: To use sensor data effectively, monitor daily or weekly moisture trends to see how soil moisture responds to weather and irrigation. Schedule watering when the readings approach your soil’s lower moisture threshold, preventing plant stress while conserving water. Adjust your irrigation timing based on crop growth stages and seasonal conditions for the best results.

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