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Paradise Mountain, New York

I was wondering how many guys have used soil heating cables. What's the best size to get? 12,24, or 36 foot in length? Do you leave them in the soil all season? Any info would be helpful.

2/20/2005 6:15:37 PM

Phoenix, AZ

Well, I have a 48 ft unit in the ground now with my 950 Boyton (see diary). Even with 48 ft, it only gave me a max of 7-8 SF. with this coverage, I am increasing soil temps approx. 10-15 F down to a 1 ft level. My other plant does not have this luxury and it is not as aggressive as my 950. Just some anecdotal evidence. Cannot guarantee it is the temp difference.

Next year I am going to get another 48 ft unit and use them together. These have auto thermostats that turn off at 74 F normally. From my research though, the best SOIL temp for growing is mid 80's F. Just put the thermostat away from the rest of the cable. Interesting how this best soil temp correlates with best germination temps for AG's. Only makes sense to keep our plant's soils at this thermal level, as long as possible.

2/20/2005 6:27:23 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

Hey Hotpumpkin, who sells 48' heating cables, or are they homemade? Thanks, Duff

2/20/2005 6:36:30 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

Didn't mean to Jack the thread, sorry. Been using 36' length cables for a couple seasons now to get the soil up to temps, along with black weedblock fabric for the thermal effect. I just leave them in all season and will try plugging them in again late season when things cool down.
Hotpumkin had a good idea on laying the t-stat away from the loop to get maximum heating. Once laid out, they don't cover a very big area! Duff

2/20/2005 6:43:01 PM

Phoenix, AZ

Duff,

I bought it from a garden supply house online but cannot remember the name. The manufacturer of the cable is Wrap-on Co., Inc. Chicago, IL. They call it a "Gro Quick Electric Soil Heating Cable". So a search and see who sells it. I am sure more than one distributor does.

I am also using black plastic at this time to get the upper layer of temps up a bit. Good idea on the weedblock fabric. I should try that next year.

2/20/2005 7:37:59 PM

Oz

Look into "RESISTANCE WIRE" .
I put some in a walk path.
I have used roof deicer wire also.
But not in soil

This year im going to try "horse pucky/straw in a pile".
Im going to use slotted coregated drain tube to feed air to the poop.

2/20/2005 7:46:26 PM

Rhode Island

im sold on the benefits of soil heating cables

we used them off and on for a few years and the plants that had heated soil do get off to a much better start
all you really need is enough length to make a couple circles under the young plant

the additional heat also helps get the microbial activity going again

2/21/2005 5:09:36 AM