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Location

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Date Posted

Mount Prospect,illinois

If you can only choose one, (soil heating cables or space heater) which would you put in your cold frame to keep the plants healthy and growing early on. I will only be able to have one or the other.

2/15/2007 2:10:51 PM

Georgia

I personally would choose the heating cables all though I dont need them as much as you do because of my location. I sometimes if its gonna get real cold out just use water jugs and fill them with hot water it seems to work fine.

2/15/2007 2:39:22 PM

Montoursville, PA

I use a simple shop light with a 100 watt bulb to add ten degrees to my four by four by four feet cold frame. Adding a blanket or two on a below thirty degree night would add a couple more degrees. Only warning is to aim the heat away from the plant not onto the plant. Works for me.

2/15/2007 3:25:10 PM

Ontario, Canada.

I use a halogen light angled down and away from the plant.

2/15/2007 3:55:29 PM

Waquoit Mass

it would depend on the size of the cold frame . i like the heater

2/15/2007 4:01:15 PM

Roselle, IL [email protected]

Dave, unless you are shooting for a state fair plant, You really don't need either here. I used a 100 watt bulb in a heat lamp and worked fine. My plants typically go in the tents the 1st week of May.

2/15/2007 4:25:13 PM

Mount Prospect,illinois

Never thought of using a light. Good idea. This will be the first year using a frame so here goes nuttin! Thanks for the tips.
George, I am definately not shooting for any type of fair type plant, just something i will be happy with. I will grow as big as i can though. With guys like you McMullen around here, i have a long way to go before i can even think of getting close.

2/15/2007 4:45:35 PM

Cheshire,Ma

I use heating cables, I found the plants did better when transplanting into a warmer soil.

2/15/2007 4:53:16 PM

Roselle, IL [email protected]

Yeah, get the tents up a week or two before you plant.It will warm the soil and you might be able to test your construction. The first spring storm usually hits about that time ;)

2/15/2007 7:04:53 PM

Ontario, Canada.

make sure you don't shine the light on the plant. You could interupt its photoperiod.

2/15/2007 7:58:01 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Will again this year have a plant in the ground before 4/1, may the pkn gods be with me, small hoop house w/elec heater. Lots of days, the ends have to be opened up to keep it from getting too hot!! Black grow mats (per Joel Holland) will be added this year to help soil temps increase. Peace, Wayne

2/15/2007 11:22:51 PM

Phoenix, AZ

Do both. I did.

As for a choice, go with the space heater. I have proven by what my plants are doing that the air temp is making the most difference. However, in the ground my soil is a consistent 70 F 24 hrs a day.

2/16/2007 11:11:52 PM

Picton,ON ([email protected])

I cover my ground with black plastic, before erecting my hoop house. I do this a couple weeks befor transplant. Seal up the hoop house and let the thing bake. When I opend them up last year, my soil temp was over 100 F. Obviously I had to let it cool down before transplanting....lol.
I also use heat bulbs, but only on the real cool nights.
Heat Bulb=175-250W, space heater=1500W, If you grow more than one or two plants you will need lots of power to use a bunch of heaters

2/17/2007 7:07:02 AM