The volumetric soil sensors consist of the sensing part and a robust casing (1 and 2 in the visual below). 

With proper use and care, the sensors should easily last more than 3 years. To get the most out of your sensors, please keep these tips in mind:

• Drill a hole and push the sensors into the soil
  Soil contact is important. Should you feel an obstruction or resistance beneath the ground, try to find another spot to place the sensor. Use a small shovel or your hands to prepare a whole close/next to the roots. Once the sensor is placed in the ground, make a slurry with the earth you dug up to ensure that the measurements are valid.

• Depth of the sensor installation
  Place the sensor in the soil so that it measures in the general vicinity of the roots. In order to accurately measure the water content in the soil, the sensor must be closeby the roots both in distance and depth. If needed, don't worry about burying the sensor end. The extra long cable on the sensor is designed for this purpose and the data transmission happens from the casing called the "logger".
  

• Remove the sensors prior to any mechanical harvesting.
  Damaging the sensors or your harvesting equipment is a bummer. Make sure to remove the sensors in order to avoid any damage. 
  When removing the sensors, make sure you gently pull the out of the soil. If the soil is very dense, try to loosen it up around the sensor before pulling on the sensing end. 

• When not in use, remove the sensors and store them in a dry place.
  In order to preserve the functionality of the sensors, it's best to remove them from the soil when your use for them ends. You can also reach out to our support team to get a status analysis of the sensor and whether it is good to go for the next use.