Who uses a Heat Mat to germinate seeds?

[James150]

HI,  I just bought a 20" x 48" germination heat mat and I've never used one before.  Usually I buy plants for my veggie garden or seed right in the row however I want to start tomatoes and peppers early this year.  How do I use this thing (mine is for 4 trays)?  Do I put a piece of 1" foam insulation under it to help direct the heat upwards or just leave it alone and set the trays on it?

Help!

Jim

[1tongarden]

thats not a bad idea with the foam board i may try that if its not a fire hazard.Where did you get your mat and how much did you pay for it.Been lookin around for another one.The one i got is just for on tray andits kinda hard starting 100+ plants  and keepin the roots warm for two months with one mat.

[jwalk]

 I saw someone on youtube that used a waterbed mattress which is cheap and UL rated for wet area use.  He said you cant come close price wise for anything half that size.

[James150]

thats not a bad idea with the foam board i may try that if its not a fire hazard.Where did you get your mat and how much did you pay for it.Been lookin around for another one.The one i got is just for on tray andits kinda hard starting 100+ plants  and keepin the roots warm for two months with one mat.

I got mine from Ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/380393458063?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649#ht_1329wt_906

was $60 with free shipping for a 48 X 20 107 Watt name brand mat.  I hear they are very durable.

Jim

[dianemummvideos]

Hi Jim, you will love your heating mat , you will find this investment worth your while..
I have 3 nice large ones that can hold (5) 10x20 trays.

anyways just set your  filled soil seeded trays on top of the mat, cover them..  usually for what you are growing just cover with another tray if that works for you.. they like darkness to germ..

do you have these mats thermostat controlled ?? usually around 70-75 degrees works well..

hope this helps

[James150]

Hi Jim, you will love your heating mat , you will find this investment worth your while..
I have 3 nice large ones that can hold (5) 10x20 trays.

anyways just set your  filled soil seeded trays on top of the mat, cover them..  usually for what you are growing just cover with another tray if that works for you.. they like darkness to germ..

do you have these mats thermostat controlled ?? usually around 70-75 degrees works well..

hope this helps

Thank you,

Just what I wanted to hear. 

BTW I love your videos and someday on my way between SW WI and AZ I will stop by and say Hi!

Jim

[lakotawing]

    Hi everyone

     I have actualy in the past set my seeds on top of the refrigerator to germinate . And it realy works well.


            Thanks Dave

[sharon78070]

I bought 3 small mats 9" x 19" from the Garden Supply website for $21 each.  On Saturday (Jan 7) I planted lots of seeds and managed to get most on the mats.  My kohlrabi and swiss chard came up by Wednesday and Thursday, 4-5 days later.  Still waiting to see if the tomatoes and peppers come up any faster.  The box they came in did say to use a cloth or something soft underneath them because a cold surface would make it harder for them to work.

[bigboberta]

I planted 2 trays of tomatoes and peppers last week and placed them on top of a upright freezer.  Most of the seed are now up.  When a few more are up and they get a little bigger, I will put them under a light.  These are started in the house, so heat is not a great problem, with the house heat and the heat from the light I have no problems.

Bob

[SherryB]

Sharon,  Would you please reply with the exact name of the web site or a link for where you got your heat pads?  I tried to google it but the sites I checked are all higher than $21.