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Windsor California

I installed 2 warming cables back to back in a symetrical zig zag patern. Now that I have my transplants in I noticed the temp on on side is 5 degrees warmer than the other. It got up to 87 yesterday and was only down to 80 this morning, the other side toped out at 82 yesterday, and was at 75 this morning. It was a hot day yesterday but there is still a 5 degree difference I can't account for. Should I be worried? is that to hot? Sugestions anyone?

4/29/2012 1:10:18 PM

Ely Mn

Sparky I ask that same question a few days ago.if you scroll down a few post under soil cables. there is lots of replys.

4/29/2012 2:16:48 PM

Jefferson Ohio

it could be somthing as simple as where your taking the temp at..or a diff in thermometers. but i wouldnt be real worried about a 5 deg diff. anything above 70 degF is going to play out to your advantage. i actualy quit useing cables 2 yrs ago. but your a ways north of me so i cant say that i have experience with a climate like yours. but my findings were that by june there was so small a diff. between the plants that had cables under them and the plants that didnt that for me (and my opinion) it didnt seem worth the hastle of all of it. (and cost)..if i were to go after a real early plant .. say somthing in the ground befor the first of may( for my area..yes i probably would put a cable or two under it. hope this helps you and good luck,, Chuck E.

4/29/2012 2:44:54 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

Be sure and keep monitoring the temps...t-stats sometimes fail...assuming your cables have them. Good luck.

4/29/2012 6:59:01 PM

Windsor California

Thank you for the imput everyone, I fixed the problem. Luckily I marked where the t-stats were located and when I dug them up one was about 8" away from the nearest cable. I moved it closer and burried it again, now the temp is the same at both mounds! I also updated my location Windsor California so thinks I'm from Canada eh.

4/29/2012 7:39:09 PM

Jefferson Ohio

Ha!...yep had me fooled for a canadian. now your quite a ways south of me!...lol !!! when do you put your plants in the patch?? what is the ground temp at planting time without the help of cables?? just wondering. if you use the same time frame we do up here? is this your first year useing cables? if this is 'new' soil i would't be real concerned with deseases. but if you have grown that area before be careful to get your fungacides going if your getting the ground that warm. just a thought i had when i saw the temps you were getting. best of luck sparky!
chuck E.

4/29/2012 11:53:26 PM

Goodwood, Ontario, Canada

I've been taking some temperature readings from my patch where I have a small hoop house and no heating cables. My soil has a lot of organic material in it and is very loose. I'm finding that the soil even one foot down maintains a temperature above 70 degrees. I think the trick is to get your hoop house on the patch a few weeks before you plant. Based on my data I won't be using heating cables but I will have small heaters to keep the air temperature at or above 70 degrees.

4/30/2012 6:31:23 AM

Jefferson Ohio

this is why i stoped using the cables i found that puting out the huts a couple weeks befor i transplant raises the soil temp well above 70 deg. if i see a cold night in the forcast i will cover the hut with a heavy blanket soon as the sun leaves it in the eavening.and if it goes below 32 i have 250 watt heat lamps in there at the opposite end that realy warm it up in there. good luck!
Chuck

4/30/2012 9:39:32 PM