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Muddy Waters

If your weather stays cold. Your only spinning your wheels in the mud. No sun Cold temps ground never warms up.I found when I grew my 260 in 2011. The cables were pretty much a waste of time.The entire month of May was a cold muddy mess.My melons never did move till almost June.

I wont be fooled again.I will install some cables this year.but not till early May IF it warms up.You cant warm your entire patch or a small spot if the sun aint out!!Be patient.The window will open soon.

4/8/2016 7:15:44 AM

bliss,n.y.- heart of Wyoming County

sounds right

4/8/2016 8:49:59 AM

Kaukauna, Wisconsin

More snow coming. Do not work your soil when it's still wet.

4/8/2016 8:57:13 AM

Rhode Island

heating cables are great here in little rhody--keeps the soil around the young plant at constant 70 degrees during cold weather when the ground would normally be much damper and cold.

4/8/2016 3:25:07 PM

bliss,n.y.- heart of Wyoming County

snowing hard here
about 20 degrees
ground is frozen hard

4/8/2016 4:12:35 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

putting mine in this weekend....its 70 outside....

4/8/2016 4:39:32 PM

Central Illinois

I use them but have wondered if its causes a container effect, if the surrounding soil is too cold will the roots mostly stay in the warmest area.If your going in early it still has to be a benefit, if I plan ahead next year I may try a side by side comparison because am sick of digging them in.

4/8/2016 5:02:41 PM

East Jordan, MI

soil cables work fine here they are electric, not solar....

4/8/2016 5:30:54 PM

Putnam Ct.

They work great for me also. Baitman by the time the roots make it out of the cables heating reach , the soil is warmed up by sun and is mid may. Depending on your area of course.

4/8/2016 5:54:04 PM

Muddy Waters

If the highs are 40s & 50s here and nights in the 30s with no sunshine.They seem do very little. Just saying if it dont warm up and the sun aint shining it is a waste of time for me to put them in. I will wait for the temps & sun to return.

4/8/2016 9:54:36 PM

Muddy Waters

I can explain it better on a video, texting sucks!!

4/8/2016 9:55:50 PM

East Jordan, MI

I wouldn't grow without them.
make my Apr 45 to 50 degree soil 70 degrees in about 10 days.

Maybe the ones you have are different.

4/8/2016 10:57:12 PM

Muddy Waters

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=252816

This is what Im talking about.In weather like this that could stay for a long period.Its not worth it to warm a little square surrounded by frozen tundra.You however Cecil live 5 hours south of me.Your weather patterns are much sunnier & you get earlier springs then us wolverines do. Its all good I hope your soil cables grow you a world record 1 lb smaller then mine this season. lol I will put some cables in this year in maybe 2 more weeks when the ground thaws.Your a very knowledgeable grower & have a lot of science knowledge.It will be interesting to see Who will out grow who this season? Will Science win? or Bubba???Take the Bubba Challenge!!! Win 1000$$$ 500$$ for 2nd or The Big Orange contest grow any seed you like.kin must be orange to win.The Giant pumpkin contest any seed no color requirement. 3 contests to choose from & a Novice if you havent hit 1000 lbs yet.

4/9/2016 8:30:53 AM

Muddy Waters

This thread was sponsored by http://worldwidegiantgrowers.com/

4/9/2016 8:33:07 AM

when all else fails I learned great way deal with this


http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=197226

4/9/2016 9:16:33 AM

Muddy Waters

ROFL !! Don That will work X 20 = thawed patch!!LOL

4/9/2016 11:30:31 AM

Eganville, Ontario

I won't grow without cables again. I use heavy duty ones and they need a half day to turn April soil temps into June soil temps.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=235962

Gotta get that early pollination eh.

4/9/2016 8:37:56 PM

Anchorage Alaska

soil cables good ..radiant heat best ..extreme measures for extreme conditions ..lol.. its what I have to do , if I even want a chance to compete with the top dogs...

4/10/2016 12:25:56 AM

Weatherman

All of the Heavy Hitters use them.

4/10/2016 6:13:18 AM