Oddly, while the mulch on top is dry, the top surface of the soil still feels nicely moist. That surprised me so I checked with a meter again and got the same readings (4-5) I got earlier.
Does that make sense? I would have thought I'd have dry soil on top with a bit of a moisture gradient as I went lower.
Not at all. They look good.
it's an indicator of how moist your normal was. The root drench has restored an even saturation and capilliary action works better.
Likely your true tilth is starting to shine too and help even out everything.
If your up to it, watch for water stress and see how dry the meter goes before you see stress. Watch for dry spots all over. See where the number reads.
When a strain description says the strain likes drier or wetter soil, they mean on the lower side of the green zone to the higher side.
That actually indicates their O2 requirements, as drier soil has more air, wetter has less, as H2O directly displaces O2.
Once you find the "steamy spot" stagnant water isn't there anymore, only dampness. It reservoirs into the carbon but doesn't lay around like puddles.
At that point the entire gradient gets less dramatic from top to bottom. Mulch stabilizes it all.
If/when it gets wonky again, its time for another root drench.
When you find the sweet spot that the plant loves, thats your target to hold at.
Frequent small waterings or drippers work best at that point, especially after stretch when water consumption gets very constant.
Do they feel light when lifted? You need to learn a new weight too.