By the end of this lesson: you will get an understanding of what the squeeze test is and why sadly it’s a bit vague.

Take a handful of bedding and squeeze it. If it feels dry and falls apart, it is too dry. If a drop or two appears, it is probably about right.

If water is running out of it then it’s too wet. You do not need expensive equipment to learn this; your hands are usually enough.

However, we found this pretty unhelpful and a bit too vague, so we’ve never done it beyond a day or so.  We just use our touch and eyes and occasionally something a bit more helpful and cheap in the form of a XLUX Long Probe Soil Moisture Meter.  It isn’t perfect but it does the job.