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anytown U.S,A,

Heating cables how long should be and in what manner are they put down?

Will they also help with keeping the cold frame warm?

Are they used only in the spring or in september also?

Where can you buy these reasonable and are some better than others?

1/15/2007 9:54:48 AM

Georgia

I dont use em splice I like to let mother nature warm my ground but HPS seed.com has some at a decent price...ranging in many different sizes their service is good also.

1/15/2007 8:10:29 PM

Montoursville, PA

In the Northeast they may raise the soil temperature a few degrees which may be good for the first twenty to thirty days. At this precise time a few degrees may be a competitive edge you would want on your side. I never used one but I have cut the edge using a shop light in the cold frame for a few nights. Same result....may help a little for a few days in May.

1/15/2007 11:30:21 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Splicer, lots of good info can be had by using "search" on the home page. Not meaning to stop the flow of info for us nu-B's, just hoping to help ya get to the info faster. Keep on askin ?'s, lots of good responses will come yer way. Peace, Wayne

1/15/2007 11:30:36 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Doc, I never use em either, and am hoping to have a plant in the ground by the 3rd week in March...for a mid-Aug weigh-off. I guess 400 miles S. makes a difference. I build a 4x6 pvc frame, cover with plastic (4 mil) and put inside of that a $10 elec heater, have to open up the ends if the sun is out. Do whatcha gotta do, I guess??? Peace, Wayne

1/15/2007 11:38:09 PM

Pemberton, BC

The past two seasons I have planted four plants each year. Both years all plants had 5'x7' cloches and both years only 2 of the plants had heating cables. The 2 plants that had the cables were 30-50% bigger by the 15th of June than the ones without, both years. To me that is a huge advantage if your wanting to set fruit by a certain date on a certain size plant.

That being said I guess it depends on your weather. Where I live cold spring temps. (killing frosts into May are not unheard of) are the norm rather than the exception. The cables are usually turned off by mid May and are turned back on September 1st. I can't remember how long they are but 14' seems to ring a bell.

Chad

1/18/2007 11:32:49 PM