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Denver, CO

Purchased some soil cables and installed them in my beds last week. They are the type that automatically come on below 70 deg and go of above 70 deg of soil temp. Unfortunatley, the damn things have but one spot (ie - themostat for all 40')

Near the center of the cable patter where the thermostat is located, soil temps are reaching 105 deg. Near the outer edges, away from the thermostat, temps are around 90 degrees.

What are the tricks and tips to cause a more even distributin of heat? What is the max soil temp at which a transplat ( ie - first true leaf showing) can be put into the ground and not croak?

Thanks for any and all help. Email me if you want.
[email protected]

4/20/2007 10:10:14 PM

Bristol, ME ([email protected])

Uniformity in spacing of the cable seems to determine if your temps will be uniform. I am told 3" apart thoughout the entire run will keep things at an even temp. Worked for us last year, seems to be uniform this year.

4/21/2007 6:12:43 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

How deep are your cables? Where is the thermostat located? We normaly bury them 18 inches deep. In a serpentine pattern. Then have the thermostat right below the surface. We also cover the grid area with a light mulch. to keep the soil a toasty 70-75 degrees.

4/21/2007 11:51:24 AM

Denver, CO

Thanks for the responses guys. I have my cables buried at about 6 to 8 incehs below, which I am going to now increase to about 14 to 18 inches and try again. They are spaced about 3 inches between loops in a serpetine pattern. It look like I miscalculated the depth needed.

4/21/2007 3:27:58 PM

Colo.Spgs.CO. Pikes Peak Chapter @ [email protected]

Hey Greg, I gave up on those cables years ago for the pumpkins, but they work great for other parts of the garden such as well .....I have had them put away for years now with no garden problems. For the pumpkins just build a good sturdy cold frame ahead of planting time and let the soil warm up, and don't stress by the time to remove the frames comes things will be very hot, and you better have some wind and hail protection, or else the season is over...Just a word of advice here in the hail capital of the world......

4/22/2007 2:24:55 AM

Denver, CO

Just to follow up:
JD Megchelsen replied to me and indicated that to control the temps I had to adjust the depth of the cables and the spacing or density of them as well.

Thus I dug the cables up, re-planted them in 18 to 24 inches of soil, while also changing my spacing from 3 inch loops to 6 inch loops. This resulted in 75 to 83 degree soil temps, which I am very happy with.

I was also able to correct a second box by simply putting them on a timer, with 2 hours on, 6 hours off, 2 hours on , 6 off, 2 on and 6 off. This gave me 78 to 85 degree temps, just a little high but I can adjust it more for that.

4/27/2007 8:54:55 PM

Ma

thanks for the info I will be careful

5/6/2007 7:10:31 PM