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Mount Prospect,illinois

No luck in the new growers forum so i thought i would try here.

I plan on using black grow mats this year and was wondering at what point (if at all) should i remove them? I thought i saw somewhere that some people keep them aroudn the stump all summer.

3/6/2007 12:22:03 PM

Mount Prospect,illinois

I found one answer from a big time grower that they can be kept in place all season long. Any other opinions?

3/6/2007 12:23:53 PM

Rhode Island

Dave

A soil mat in my experience is supposed to supply bottom heat to your peat pots during the germination phase in your home ,etc
A heating mat would not be very effective even sitting in one piece either above or under ground

Heating cables can be installed in the ground around the base where you will plant the young seedling . They do a rather good job of keeping the soil at an even temp of around 70 degrees. They also can be unpluged and left in place to be taken back out when you clean up in the fall.

Go to gardeners supply, they would have them.

pap

3/6/2007 1:37:37 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

When we use the soil cables they are left in all season. Pulled in tyhe fall.

3/6/2007 2:09:18 PM

Omaha, NE (N41-15-42 )

yep. here too. Soil Cables are the way to go. I know Joel Holland sells them on his website, http://www.hollandsgiants.com/, and Ray Leonzi might have them as well http://www.pumpkinpost.com. I always encourage buying supplies from a fellow grower when it is possible to do so.

Matt

3/6/2007 2:43:44 PM

Sort of Sunny Sometimes, WA

I think Dave's talking about those circular black mats that Joel Holland puts around the stump of the plant. They're not an electic "heating mat" , they're made out of Vispore.

3/6/2007 3:27:10 PM

Mount Prospect,illinois

Yeah, Boom Boom is right. Pardon my mis-representation. I meant the black mats one would lay on the topsoil to warm the area around a new growing pumpkin in the garden.

3/6/2007 5:02:38 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

davep, from watching the videos from Hollands, I think early on, the black mats help gather heat, and later on...help keep down weed growth. Sounds good if plenty of air flow around stump. Peace, Wayne

3/6/2007 6:14:07 PM

Ohio

I think Joel Holland leaves his black mats there all season Dave.

3/6/2007 6:36:37 PM

Roselle, IL [email protected]

I leave them down Dave. For all the above reasons and they keep mud from splashing on the stump

3/6/2007 6:40:53 PM

Mount Prospect,illinois

That makes the decision easy. Thanks guys

3/7/2007 9:18:34 AM

Montoursville, PA

If you don't like the black plastic a three inch mulch will do the same thing. Over the plastic it has only cosmetic effect in which case a sprinkling of leaves will do the job.

3/7/2007 11:41:44 AM