Soil Temperature Variation

• Soil temperature is largely determined by air temperature.
• The surface layer of soil exchanges heat with the atmosphere during the day and at night.
• Deeper soil, lower than about 2 ft., keeps a much more constant temperature, rarely changing more than a degree from day to night. However seasonally, soil temperature can swing from very warm to very cold, depending on the climate of the area.
• Monitoring both daytime and nighttime soil temperatures are important to ensure plant’s health.

Above: A soil temperature probe connected to a solar-powered garden station with data transmitter