From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Southern Ohio

Ok, so I dont have a garden heat mat but I do have a back pad/ heat pad to use for germination, but due to the fire risk I'm afraid to use the it while I'm not at home. I have a foam cooler and a plastic storage bin I can use but my question is can I use a grow light to keep the temp correct till the seed sprouts or is the mat the only way to go? Just dont feel conferrable leaving on a back heating pad 24hrs a day when I'm not at home?

5/5/2011 1:00:22 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

lots of people use lights on here, just make sure you get the temp 85-90 degrees before you put the seed in.

5/5/2011 1:05:48 PM

Colorado

bikeman try a 15 watt bulb,used in refrigerators-works great /use a ceramic butter plate to rest it on and youll never burn your house down.25 watt is a little too hot,can be used if you keep the lid open and move your pots 3 inches from bulb

5/5/2011 1:46:05 PM

El Paso TX.

I've been using an old electric blanket folded into the bottom of a sterlite container with a Shelf from the dryer made to dry tennis shoes etc. ( Pic of setup last year : http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc189/JDFanning_bucket/Pumpkins/First3.jpg ) keeps the container between 85 -100F depending on the heat setting used.

5/5/2011 2:21:26 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

small christmas tree lights 25 string works perfect..

5/5/2011 4:10:56 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

In a cooler

5/5/2011 4:11:10 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

I've used 15 watt bulb in a cooler for years. 100% germination success this year.

5/5/2011 5:24:13 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

bikeman, as you can see, there are many variations, on the theme!!! Getting the soil to the correct temp, has many roads that lead to success!!! Peace, Wayne

5/5/2011 7:58:10 PM

Westford, MA

Electric baby wipes warmer($19.89 Walmart), keep the lid up a bit, the inside sponge moist, and a thermometer with the sensor on a wire(outside temp.) to check temps w/o opening the lid. The daily pop-up pill containers($1.98 Walmart) hold just enough seed start mix and close to keep in the moisture.

Works for me.

5/6/2011 10:40:13 AM