Most of the western United States doesn’t need to worry too much this year about dryness. Snowstorms have already dumped feet of snow, even in the high
deserts, and more may be coming.
But snow or not, you still need to check the amount of water in the soil. In very dry areas, particularly in the high desert, snow is subject to
sublimation, which means it changes from ice to vapor without actually melting. And that means that any moisture the snow could have provided is evaporating into the air.
The best way to check moisture content is with a soil moisture meter. Most are rather expensive (some costing hundreds of dollars), but Watermark makes one that is reasonably inexpensive (starting at $30 US) and easy to use.
It’s available at some nurseries and gardening supply stores and, of course through mail order and the internet.
Related Articles-
- Winter Water in the Desert Part I
- Winter Water in the Desert Part III
