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New Berlin, PA

I built some cold frames for the first time this year, and I am trying to monitor the high and low temperatures so I can get a handle on how it performs before I plant. Any advice? I laid a thermometer on the ground inside, but I wonder if that is accurate. Would the sun shining in directly on the thermometer give higher than actual readings?

4/21/2016 9:48:14 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

I suggest that you use a thermometer with a long stainless steel probe about 6 inches into the soil as a starter. Open up during sunny days and close at night or on cloudy or cold day, that's the basic concept I follow.

4/21/2016 10:35:51 PM

Rhode Island

DAN

there are many very good temp gauges on the market. we use one of those that runs off a battery and gives you good reading --- ie - present temp ---highest temp and lowest tempplus you can reset it for the following day.

especially good in the greenhouses before and after planting as you inquired.

pap

4/22/2016 11:56:56 AM

New Berlin, PA

Thanks both of you. In either case do you suggest putting the thermometer in the direct sun or does that throw off the reading?

4/22/2016 1:21:52 PM

Hanson Ma

I don't think the sun is giving you direct sun light in the hoop house. It's diffused light in side. I am doing the same as you although I do have the 6" thermometer in the soil for Temp. Above are all good suggestions. I see 65 to 70 soil temp during the day and 55 to 60 at night. The other thermometer is about the same. So with that said I will be getting some soil heating cables soon because I think 55 at night is to cold.

4/22/2016 6:18:12 PM

Hanson Ma

Sorry. hoop house temps can get into the 90's or higher. Soil temp not as high.

4/22/2016 6:19:13 PM

Colorado

Put the thermometer behind something to shade it within your cold frame to get a true airtemp reading

4/22/2016 10:06:59 PM

Central Illinois

Some of the weed heads use a infrared thermometer to read the temp of the plants surface , in case you dont have enough gadgets yet

4/23/2016 9:10:17 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

Dan, two different temps...soil &/or air inside your cold frame...air temp w/sunshine will be way higher than soil temp.(This time of year) Soil temp is measured approx. 6" deep w/soil temp thermometer, air temp inside your "cold frame" will be way higher & needs to be monitored by a air temp therm. hung near the top of your "cold frame". If sun is shining, and frame is enclosed, 100F or more is possible very early in the day....venting your "cold frame" is then needed!!!! SOONLY!!! Peace, Wayne

4/30/2016 2:36:34 AM