Re: Soil Heaters..
Just a further note to say that soil heaters are definitely worthwhile for an
April planting. The soil heaters that I've used have built in thermostats and
don't open up after the soil has warmed. So with a May planting, I wouldn't
bother using soil cables as the window of gain, if any, is very limited in most
parts of the country.....Ken Reinsborough
The Eatons wrote:
> Ken R.--I was just about to search for my ground heating cables for my early
> plant,the "740.5 Andolina 00" when I saw your comments.The little beauties
> are nearly ready to be transplanted.
>
> Since I know that you are one of the top AG cold weather growers I am going
> to take your advice and forget the cables.Thanks--AE
>
> ************************
> I'm not so sure that soil heaters are needed at this time of year. Over
> the years I've tried many ways of heating my pumpkin mounds and it
> doesn't appear to make a great difference whether there is in ground
> heat along with above ground heat. Under clear plastic, such as a mini
> greenhouse or layed directly on the ground, the soil will warm up to
> quite a depth so all you need is above ground heat to protect the plants
> during cold nites. At present we still have snow on the ground but I
> have 3 plants comfortably growing under greenhouses with only three 50
> watt light bulbs per plant. Being that light bulbs are very inefficient
> at what the are suppose to do, they therefore make great heaters
> especially when loosely covered with "tin foil" . I place these bulbs
> around each plant and call it "surround heat" which I find works better
> than one heat source where the plant cooks on one side while freezing on
> the other. A simple wall mounted thermostat will control this
> environment very nicely. I grow all my plants this way and the spring
> time struggle of a warm environment is something I no longer worry
> about......Ken Reinsborough
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> Pumpkin-growing FAQ: http://www.mallorn.com/lists/pumpkins/search.cgi
> To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@mallorn.com with the
> message text UNSUBSCRIBE PUMPKINS
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> Pumpkin-growing FAQ: http://www.mallorn.com/lists/pumpkins/search.cgi
> To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@mallorn.com with the
> message text UNSUBSCRIBE PUMPKINS
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Pumpkin-growing FAQ: http://www.mallorn.com/lists/pumpkins/search.cgi
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@mallorn.com with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE PUMPKINS
