Observations
Observations are structured data you record during an Activity. Rather than writing free-form notes, you fill in defined fields that make your data consistent, searchable, and comparable over time. When you follow a Method, the right observation templates appear automatically.
How observation templates work
Each Method on the platform defines its own observation template. When you create an Activity and link it to a Method, the template fields auto-populate on the Activity form. For example:
| Method | Observation fields |
|---|---|
| Hot Composting | Temperature, Moisture, Odour, Turned? |
| Soil pH Testing | pH value, Test method, Sample depth |
| Germination Testing | Seeds tested, Seeds germinated, Germination %, Days to germination |
| Brix Testing | Brix reading, Plant part tested, Growth stage |
| Soil Biology Assessment — Jar Test | Sand %, Silt %, Clay %, Organic layer depth |
| Compost Tea Brewing | Brew duration, Ingredients, Aeration method, Smell assessment |
Data types
Observation fields use one of four data types:
- Numeric with units — a number plus a unit of measure. Temperature in degrees Celsius, pH as a decimal, Brix as a percentage. The unit is defined by the template so your readings are always consistent.
- Scale (1–5 with labels) — a rating scale where each point has a description. For example, compost moisture might use: 1 = Dry/dusty, 2 = Slightly damp, 3 = Wrung-out sponge, 4 = Wet, 5 = Waterlogged.
- Boolean — a yes/no toggle. "Turned?" on a composting check, "Fungal hyphae visible?" on a soil assessment.
- Text — a free-text field for descriptions that do not fit the other types. Odour notes, colour descriptions, general remarks.
Per-element observations
When an Activity involves multiple Elements, you can record observations for each one individually. If you are doing a Germination Testing Activity across three seed lots, you enter a separate germination percentage for each lot. This keeps the data linked to the right Element.
Tracking trends over time
The real power of structured observations comes from repetition. When you check your hot compost temperature every few days using the same Method, Libre Grow can show you a trend line for that pile. Soil pH readings taken seasonally build a picture of how your soil is changing. Brix readings across different beds reveal which growing practices produce the most nutrient-dense crops.
Because every observation is tied to a specific Element and Activity, you always know exactly where and when each reading was taken.