I was listening to a weekly gardening show on public radio last week, and someone called in and asked about using heating mats to sprout seeds.
I’ve only used heating mats for a couple of years now. Our basement is pretty chilly in the winter and seeds can sometimes take a looooong time to germinate when they’re sitting in cold soil. I decided heating mats might speed things along. Oh, they certainly do. I’ve had seeds pop open in 24 hours!
Up until last week I only used my heating mats for freshly-sown seeds that were housed in trays under clear plastic, moisture-trapping domes. The soil can dry out very fast when using heating mats, so I only turned them on every other day for a few hours.
The extension agent on the gardening show said that seedlings like it when their soil temperature is a little warmer than the air temperature—it promotes root growth. I hadn’t heard that before. Now I’m using heating mats for my seedlings too. I’m all for stronger root growth.
I guess I’ll find out if it works when I transplant my seedlings into the garden later this spring.
2 comments
I had a heat mat as a gift for Christmas. Since the section of our basement where I start my seed is very cold, I plan to continue my seed starting in my study. I rarely have any more than three containers going at a time; then I put the tiny seedlings under lights, covered with foil wrap to contain the heat from lights. Thought I’d use the heat mat to provide a little more heat a couple of hours before the lights go off. Hopefully I’m making some sense. Any other ideas appreciated. James
I think your idea makes perfect sense. Our basement is also very chilly. I do something similar, but at the opposite end of the day. I turn on the mats for a few hours first thing in the morning when I turn on the grow lights. I guess my idea is that I’m imitating their future growing situation (sun comes up and soil starts warming).
I love your foil idea. I might have to try that!
When you use your heating mat for the first few days, keep an eye on the soil because it can dry out very fast and any tender seedlings that have just sprouted can dehydrate and croak in a hurry.
Comments are closed.