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Mill Bay, British Columbia

As a follow up to gpierce post, what soil temps are acceptable for young seedlings to be planted in??

I have heated hoophouse but no soil cables, weather has been great and I took soil temperature readings today that were in the 63-65 degree range....good enough?

4/17/2012 4:48:02 PM

Hinckley MN

warmer soil means more biological activity. cold soil means the plant will just hang out until it warms up more. 65 is fine, 55 is a bit cold, and (after germination), over 85 can be a problem too.

4/17/2012 6:25:25 PM

Hampstead, NC 28443

I have been told by many that ground temp 70 or above at 6 inches down. It is my rule of thumb, I like to learn from others.
This will also insure that the corn worm has hatched (still put in insecticide though), plus your organics are starting to work.

4/18/2012 9:19:01 AM

Wi

In 2009 I measured soil temp in my patch at 6" and it was 61 on August 6th. We may have crept a bit higher than that by early September that year.

I burried lots of vines that year in my winter jacket.

4/18/2012 10:03:21 AM

Braceville, IL

09 was a freak year. Hope we never have one like that again. I remember combing corn on dec 5 th. A day before we had a big snow. No fun!!!!

4/18/2012 11:05:53 AM

Braceville, IL

Combining corn I meant

4/18/2012 11:06:57 AM

Stanwood, Washington

How important is air temperature vs. Soil temperature. If you have Soil Cables with a thermostat keeping your soil above 70 should you still have supplemental heat to keep the air temp up?

4/18/2012 12:29:14 PM

Ashby, MA

Captain 97, I have heating cables and they're in a hot house. This is my first year with the heating cables so I'm trying to be careful with not overheating things. But so far so good. I've noticed my plants are growing a little each day. Last year I planted them and they just sat there and did nothing for a week or so till the weather warmed up.

4/18/2012 3:51:10 PM

Coupeville WA

captain, across the water from you, I use cables and enclosures. We definitely need both in this region if we are attempting to pollinate by the end of June/ beginning of July.

4/18/2012 3:55:32 PM

Stanwood, Washington

This is my first year with the cables. I do have an enclosure. But I would imagine that around here the air temps will probabbly get down into the 50's at night even inside an enclosure. I was wondering if a heat lamp would be overkill if you are already using cables.

I have to do everthing i can to try and beat Hands on's Island County Record. :)

4/18/2012 5:31:02 PM

Coupeville WA

I have used lights at night, but not convinced that I saw any real benifit. As long as the plant is protected from frost, I go without. The plant needs dark at night as well.
Hopefully, I will beat that record this year as well!

4/18/2012 5:58:17 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Captain, that was my point with this post as soil temperature seems more important that ambient air temperature in the hoophouse...

Running my 1500 watt heaters inside the hoophouse kept the ambient air temperature anywhere I set the thermostat...however it had little to no effect helping with heating the soil.

I'm going with heat lamps instead, seem to keep the soil warmer directly below, as well as keeping the air temperature about where I want it to be.

4/18/2012 7:22:25 PM

norway , maine

soil cables can help combat corn seed maggots,,, i use a pelonis oil heater for the ambient temp.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/MsgBoard/ViewThread.asp?b=3&p=391718

4/18/2012 8:33:57 PM

Stanwood, Washington

Hey Phil what is the record. is it 1016?

4/19/2012 9:30:41 PM

Stanwood, Washington

Hey Northshore I saw your diary thats an impressive lineup you have there. two former world records and an 1161. That 1554 Revier is one that I have had my eye on as well.

4/21/2012 11:42:52 PM

Coupeville WA

that is my PB.
Lee Roof grew 1155 several years ago. Those are the 2 largest in this county/ island.

4/22/2012 10:27:02 PM