Soil and Beds
Average Soil Temperature Calculator
Average Soil Temperature uses its formula to average repeated soil-temperature readings from one depth. Its average soil temperature output is tied to sum of temperature readings and number of readings.
Enter values for average soil temperature
Replace the Average Soil Temperature examples before using average soil temperature.
Average soil temperature: practical constraint
Readings from sun and shade should not be mixed without noting location.
A zero Number of readings leaves average soil temperature undefined in Average Soil Temperature.
Measurements for Average Soil Temperature
Average Soil Temperature uses Sum of temperature readings and Number of readings. The Average Soil Temperature entries share one scope. Available Soil Water Calculator addresses how to find the water fraction held between field capacity and wilting point.
- Sum of temperature readings. Its Average Soil Temperature demonstration rate is 432 °F.
- Number of readings. Default in Average Soil Temperature: 12 readings.
A practical check for sum of temperature readings
For volume work, measure the finished inside dimensions of the bed. For samples, note whether the value is wet, air-dried, or oven-dried.
Arithmetic used for Average Soil Temperature
Division connects Sum of temperature readings and Number of readings in this Average Soil Temperature calculation. The Soil Bulk Density Calculator provides bulk density.
Using sum of temperature readings at 432 °F and number of readings at 12 readings, the example returns 36.00 °F. Continue with Root Zone Water Storage Calculator to estimate usable water stored in the active root zone.
Interpreting this average soil temperature value
Read Average soil temperature as the answer to “Average repeated soil-temperature readings from one depth.” Keep the Average Soil Temperature units attached.
A second Average Soil Temperature scenario
In the Average Soil Temperature example, changing Sum of temperature readings from 432 °F to 475.2 °F produces 39.60 °F rather than 36.00 °F.
Use sum of temperature readings only to compare average soil temperature. Need estimated porosity? Open Soil Porosity Calculator.
Pair sum of temperature readings with Average Soil Temperature site observations.
Common questions about sum of temperature readings
Can Number of readings be zero in Average Soil Temperature?
In Average Soil Temperature, zero number of readings makes average soil temperature undefined.
Does sampling depth matter for Average Soil Temperature?
Yes. Record the depth used for sum of temperature readings and keep it consistent across comparisons.
How does “Readings from sun and shade should not be mixed without noting location.” affect average soil temperature?
Treat it as a boundary on the input data. A separate Average Soil Temperature case may be needed when sum of temperature readings changes.