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Aurora, IL

I need to plant my seedlings in the next day or so and was wondering if I should cover the planting area with plastic to warm the soil. Also, if I should keep the plastic around the seedling after planting. My concern is that it will be cooler than expected and I am not able to build hoop houses. I have soil heating cables, but they are way too long for the planting area.

5/23/2011 11:57:52 PM

Bristol R.I. USA

Get some of the growing fabric. the plastic will not stop weeds from growing. I use some of the preen weed fabric. Cut them to size and mound dirt over the edges and then get clear plastic bags and fill them with warm water. Place them at the rootzone. the water will warm up with the sun and distribute the heat. Get a 5 gallon bucket and cover them up at night. you can go a step further and cover the bucket with a blanket.Or if you decide to make a small structure you add a candle to it to heat the climate around the plant. Hope this helps.

5/24/2011 12:47:01 PM

Tinykinville

its almost june and your in illinios just stick them in theyll be fine. Heating soil and plants are just to help them get through may cooler temps. this time of year i would not worry about it.

5/25/2011 6:48:56 PM

Puyallup, WA

Good thing that you don't live in the Pacific Northwest, we had a high of 55° today. One needs every heat propogating device they can get their hands on!

5/26/2011 12:54:13 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

Stan, yer lucky you don't live in the mid-south-east!!! 70mph winds last night w/almost 2" of rain in 90 minutes!!! Don't get me wrong, I understand yer point...you gotta do what ya gotta do to be proactive, to give em the best chance possible!!! Uh-oh...just got a stink bug advisory for Kentucky!!! What do I do now? LOL Grow em BIG!!! Peace, Wayne

5/26/2011 4:44:53 PM

Aurora, IL

I ended up planting two of them and placed a cooler over them. I am glad I did that since we got 2" rain, Now it down to the upper 30's tonight.

5/26/2011 7:32:37 PM