The Vee Gee soil thermometer gets a high grade in my book. The gauge is well built and more stout than I thought it would be with a very strong and sturdy stem. It has a large dial and large numbers for easy reading (very important in my book), has a large temperature range, stainless steel, pretty responsive and was accurate and needed no calibration (see image). It doesn't bend or flex when pushing into the ground.

I use the gauge for soil testing to ensure optimum conditions for seeding lawns and other lawn care uses and I use it to test soil temperatures to ensure my irrigation system is safe from freezing during those late fall season frosts.

Note: The description states that the stem is 6", however, the measuring area of the stem is only 5". A none issue for me.

I highly recommend this unit for its build, large temperature range, accuracy and readability.

very high quality for the price. already made a difference in my seed planting decisions and sprouting. the seed catalogs give you the soil temperature targets

Used for soil temps but mainly used to display air temperature inside cold-frames. Easy to read dial. Heavy enough to stay in place when plastic cold-frame sheeting flaps a bit in the wind.

I've been using this for 10 months with no issues. Tested to be very accurate. I have mine mounted on the lid to my pool pump. I just drilled a hole in the clear plastic top and slipped this through and secured with a threaded nut then sealed with silicone. This thermometer has remained outside through summer and winter with air temps ranging from 15 to 95 F with no damage.

I am splitting hairs but in interest of accuracy I'd characterize this as a general purpose thermometer that is well suited for soil temperature measurement rather than a soil thermometer. If you want to view a "soil temperature thermometer" take a look at the one offered for same price by Territorial Seed Company- one of my favorite seed catalogs. That said, this is an impressive thermometer. Very solidly built at a good price. I compared with typical kitchen meat thermometers of same design and this is far sturdier. There should be no problem using in all but the most dry/hardened soils.

I checked the calibration against a high quality at kitchen electronic thermometer at 48F, 65F, 100F. Temperature was one degree different at 48F and exactly the same at the other temperatures. There is what appears to be a calibration adjustment screw on the back of the dial. There is also a 3/4" pipe fitting on the back for screwing thermometer into a fitting. Probe is sturdy which means it has a lot of mass and takes a couple minutes to take an accurate reading- be aware but it is not an issue.