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Gorenjska, Slovenia

Hello, Ive grown a few times and this year im thinking to transplant outside early. or is there any cost effective ways to keep my soil warm because i dont want to risk my plants dying but get a head start..
Im using a smaller greenhouse.

Thanks , Matic

2/13/2025 2:09:03 PM

Bethlehem CT

You could groow on a black plastic mulch, or better yet use IRT mulch (like Don Crews) IRT heats the soil up even more. If frost threatens throw an extra protectice layer over your plant. Row cover gives you several degrees of frost protection.

[Last edit: 03/03/25 8:02:36 AM]

3/3/2025 8:00:19 AM

Syracuse, NY

If I were one to plant out early like I used to 20 years ago, I'd reminisce about that I used to have 25-30-something-gallon cheap, clear plastic containers/storage bins that would be upside down over each plant with a 40-watt (trying to be cost-effective, lol) incandescent light bulb in each one, all connected together with extension cords. It was a beautiful scene at any time of day and especially at night, like a lit-up sidewalk. NOW, if I were to do that, I'd have each one or the main power supply run by a capably-rated thermostat and perhaps a small fan that'd all be under the breaker rating in the house and at least one wireless thermometer viewable in the house at all times. I think that they can have an alarm that can be set for a max or min temperature, in case of any trouble. Weighing the pros and cons, a fast-growing plant will have to be 'set free' more quickly; One has to be ready for that or the plant will be damaged or stunted by its confinement and simply waiting until the conditions outdoors are more conducive to rapid, uninhibited growth is the only cost-effective option for ME, anyway. In these ways, you can do whatever you want and I, myself used to have 2-3 inches of snow on the ground whilst my plants were 'cozy' in their 'micro environments'. Ahhh, good times.
Later---eric g---In researching for a pic of my lighted little GHs, I find that I have no dairy entries for 9 years
(no 2009 through no 2017), which I am shocked at; What was I doing for 9 years, hibernating? It is really weird...

3/3/2025 11:44:45 AM