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Brillion Wisconsin

With my pumpkin patch in the icy grip of winter. The leaves and other organic material that I tilled in this fall are probably not decomposing very fast. I'm considering ideas on how to warm things up a bit.

Has anyone ever used electric soil heating cables over the winter? Would this raise the soil temperature enough to promote biological activity?

I know it would raise my electric bill enough to promote me in getting another job.

What other effects good or bad would there be by not letting your soil remain frozen for months?

Over wintering insects might be a more abundant the following year. A good insecticide program would take care of this potential problem. Any thoughts on this would be great. Is this a stupid idea?

12/14/2003 12:01:07 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

winter dormancy is part of a natural cycle, just as the decomposition of organic material over winter is also.
don't sweat it

12/14/2003 1:21:01 PM

Deer Park WA

The natural freeze/thaw cycle of winter will reduce the leaves and compost you tilled in the fall to rich soil nutrients come spring. I would save your soil heating efforts for seedling protection like green houses, heat lamps etc.

12/14/2003 2:47:26 PM

Montoursville, PA

The tepid climates folks would pay big time for a way to freeze up if only for a few days. This is nature's way of cleaning up lots of insects that will not be there to bother you next spring. While it may appear cold in the frozen top few inches...those top few frozen inches are holding the next few inches under it at non freezing temperatures. In the non frozen zones the process continues faster and 365 days a year. Think of your frozen soil as a giant teapot lid on your garden. Think of any snow you get as mother's mulch laden with natural nitrogen. As Spring arives and the soil warms up all these goodies gently seep into your total patch in a most natural way....as the frozen cap opens and accepts the stored moisture and nitrogen.

12/20/2003 8:11:34 PM