ABSTRACT
Measuring soil moisture by feel and appearance is one of several methods used to plan and determine the effectiveness of irrigation applications. Its simplicity makes it suitable to use in nearly all irrigation situations from urban lawns and golf courses to agricultural settings worldwide. Proper irrigation water management maximizes the positive impact of the irrigation water for the intended use, while minimizing the costs associated with irrigation and decreasing the potential for off-site movement of nutrients and pesticides from irrigated land.
