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West Paris Me.

I have mini greenhouses, in the patch. Most have their own heating cables. They will have heat lamps as well.
Should I keep the soil heating cables on once the pumpkin is planted or should the greenhouses and the lamps be good enough.
FYI the past week has been in the high fifties and over the next week it should get as high as the low 70s with 40 degree temps at night. thanks Kathy

5/1/2015 8:31:20 PM

Western NY

I don't know if it is right but I kept mine on most of last summer except when it was hot for a few days in a row. most of last summer was very cool.

5/1/2015 9:00:08 PM

Slate River,Ont. Canada

Leave them on. The cables will shut of automatically when soil is 70 degrees.Lamps will keep above ground warm but you still need under ground heat.

5/1/2015 9:14:40 PM

Central NY

How deep are yours ray?.,.

5/1/2015 9:15:57 PM

Muddy Waters

You should only need them for the month of May maybe the first week of June.After that unplug them.Its a waste of time tripping over the cord.

5/2/2015 6:54:35 AM

Western NY

they are 12-16" down but be careful as my soil temp was 90 the other day because i had the hoops closed for a week to make sure everything was hatched before I plant.
Bubba that is funny about tripping over cords because you dont need to worry about it once the grass grows over them, you just mow right over them because I need them for fans later.

5/2/2015 10:04:38 AM

West Paris Me.

Thank you all very much

5/2/2015 2:39:33 PM

Hinckley MN

it all depends on how cold your soil is. Measure the soil temp 6-8 inches down, 6-10ft from any cables. if it isn't over 70F, leave the cables on. In a cold year my clay soil never reaches 70F at 8 inches deep. Pay attention to what farmers in your area grow. That can tell you about your average soil temps. North of me people grow mostly hay or trees. south of me they grow corn.

5/6/2015 3:14:04 PM