The squeeze test is quick. Take a fistful, close the hand hard and read what happens: free running water means too wet, several drops between the fingers is Phase I level, a damp mass with no liquid is Phase II level.
If you have a balance, dry a known weight of compost until it stops losing weight and calculate the loss as a percentage. That is a real number, and it is the one to write down.
- Sample five points: both ends, both sides, centre.
- Take each sample from inside, not the dry surface.
- Use the same points every batch so readings compare.