From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Dillonvale, Ohio

At what point do you unplug them? My soil temp is good right now, air temp is still cold. In the next week or so temps are going to be in 60's and 70's as highs and 50's and 60's as lows. Should I unplug them during the day at any point? Plants are in hoop houses.

4/29/2018 10:20:17 AM

Western NY

If it has a thermostat, there really shouldn't be a need to unplug. I usually don't bother to unplug mine until I'm tired of tripping over electric cords in mid June.

4/29/2018 11:37:46 AM

Richmond, BC

Just thought it would be interesting to find out what kind of soil temperatures growers are achieving with soil warming cables.In order to compare readings from day to day and hoop to hoop, I measure at 8". I have 2 types of cables....thick and thin. Thin ones only gives me 68°F. Thick ones 80°F.
BTW you could measure the soil temp at 8" to determine when to unplug.

4/29/2018 3:26:26 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

I’m using the same Jump Start heating cables as Ron Wallace and they are keeping the soil at between 70-72 degrees at 8” deep. Soil in unheated part of the soil is 55 degrees. I’ll keep soil cables plugged in until rest of soil in patch is 66-68 degrees...likely in mid-June like Andy says.

4/30/2018 1:34:24 AM