Seedling Heat Mat Recommendations

[Ridgerunner]

Don't know if true but was once told top of fridge same as heat mat

Warm air rises. You often have heat in a kitchen from cooking. Anything high in the kitchen is probably warmer than a spot down low. The refrigerator itself generates heat but that probably doesn't help much as the motor is usually down low.

I started sweet potato slips on top of a high bookcase in the office as it was pretty warm up high in there and sweet potatoes like it warm. Not much room for a grow light up there though.

 

[ninnymary]

All this info. on mats is overwhelming! Does someone have one they like and could just tell me "Get this one?" @jackb ?

Mary

 

[ducks4you]

The top of the fridge has SOME heat, but you really need to check it. If you keep your house really cool and live in a cold climate, the top of your fridge may only be warm enough for cool weather vegetables.
Really, there is a LOT of babysitting that goes into starting seeds. It is almost an every day checking on them thing. I like a mister, which doubles as a "kitten corrector" outside of seed starting.
I have also heard from many plant experts that we too often OVERwater our starts and that they can benefit from a Little bit of too dry.

 

[digitS']

Don't know if true but was once told top of fridge same as heat mat

That's where all my early seeds are started.

The kitchen is the warmest room in the house during late winter. Admittedly, my old fridge did a better job of heating the top. That was because the coils were in the back rather than below the fridge. Heat was just going up the wall and against the cabinet, 5" above the top. The heat still does that but also spills out from the bottom to all sides.

Still, it stays 70 °, overnight.

The room with the big South window is the coolest room. It has the table for the seedlings, however, and that is where they go after they emerge from the starting mix.

Steve

 

[digitS']

almost an every day checking

Not for me, Ducks'.

I check twice a day, for sure. They have to come out of that dark location as soon as they show themselves!

Steve

 

[catjac1975]

https://www.gardenersedge.com/propagation-mat-with-frame/p/VP-GMX/
I have this but bigger. This is my second one. First lasted 20 years.

 

[ninnymary]

https://www.gardenersedge.com/propagation-mat-with-frame/p/VP-GMX/
I have this but bigger. This is my second one. First lasted 20 years.

Oh my goodness! I had to do some coughing there when I saw the price. I signed up for their emails and got $10 off first order. I'll wait and see if others have some they recommend and worked well for them. Thanks Cat!

Mary

 

[thistlebloom]

Mine is a Seedz propagation mat. I've only used it one season so far so can't attest to the durability. It's going for $99 on Amazon, but I'm pretty sure I didn't pay that much. I looked at it and it's actually bigger than I thought - 20"x48".

 

[jackb]

I have two of these and have used them for over ten years and they are still in good working order.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Hydrofarm-...epid=1601563386&hash=item3d7812bc3a:rk:1:pf:0

 

[Nyboy]

Mary check ebay