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Tasmania Australia

Hi, This might be a basic question, but when using soil heating cables with an external thermostat, what temperature should i be setting the thermostat at?
At the moment i am setting it to 70 F, is that high enough or should i be looking at something more like 74 F
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

10/15/2018 2:17:47 AM

Deer Park WA

Hi Bluesilver, we set our hearing cale t-stats at 70 degrees, we keep the probe about 5 to 6" deep. Biggest problem we have with cables has been keeping the Beagle out of the patch.

10/15/2018 2:34:13 AM

Morgantown, WV

LOL! Pets aren't stupid, they're gonna find the comfy spot ;)

10/15/2018 6:59:07 AM

Morgantown, WV

Blue, mine are set with a 72 degree non-changeable thermostat so I think you're right in the range. I'm not sure what the cost difference is on 4 degrees over a month, but 70 degrees should be plenty to get roots and soil biology kickstarted.

Little tip for anyone new to soil cables that I learned the hard way, even at only 6" down, don't try to just pull it up at the end of the season... broke one of mine at the thermostat connection last year. Don't be lazy like me, dig some soil off to get em back out just like you do putting em in.

10/15/2018 7:08:29 AM

Johnston, Iowa

The heating cable's I've purchased always say they're set to 72

10/15/2018 9:55:36 AM

Tasmania Australia

Appreciated, will keep it set where it is.
I have one with the heating cable and one without, both the same seed and planting time,
Will be a good test to see what the actual difference is at the end of our season here.

10/15/2018 4:55:03 PM

just a tip from a problem I seen in another growers patch his young plants always suffered I told him about seed corn maggots etc I finally drove over his place stuck my hand near seedling it was smoking hot -use a meat thermometer or similar or atleast feel with hand those automatic deals cant always be trusted

10/15/2018 5:07:29 PM