Fertigation feed sensor system

A sensor station, comprising:

• a receptacle configured to hold a feed solution;
• a conductivity and permittivity sensor comprising at least two prongs disposed in the receptacle;
• and
• a drain configured to substantially empty the receptacle by removing the feed solution from the receptacle in response to a predetermined amount of feed solution being present in the receptacle.

A method of determining a fertigation feed properties, the method comprising:

• establishing a feed sensor system by feeding a first container with a feed solution that includes water and fertilizer at a target ratio of concentration of water to fertilizer, the first container comprising a feed sensor;
• establishing a runoff sensor system by feeding a plant container with the feed solution and configuring a second container to receive runoff from the plant container, the second container comprising a runoff sensor;
• measuring a volumetric flow rate of the feed solution and the runoff, wherein measuring the volumetric flow rate includes automatically draining the first container via a drain substantially emptying the first container when a predetermined amount of the feed solution is present in the first container;
• and
• measuring electrical properties of the feed solution with the feed sensor and electrical properties of the runoff with the runoff sensor.