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Omaha, NE (N41-15-42 )

Okay, this is somewhat odd, but stay with me. Would there be any benefit to putting a few 100' soil heating cables in my patch over the winter. Would this help to keep the organic material decomposing and keep the microbes active?

12/28/2003 12:03:07 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Some microbes do work in the winter. Just not very many.

I'd say that if very fresh organic material was added late, then this might help. You'd also have to manage soil moisture during dry periods.

Not odd. Interesting.

12/28/2003 2:47:46 PM

Montoursville, PA

Nothing wrong.........providing you figure accurately the cost to plug in 100 feet of the cable in mind. This is the most expensive form of resistance heating. Please do not do that without knowing what it will cost you!!!!!

12/28/2003 6:55:19 PM

Nova Scotia

i agree with docgipe that the cost would be very high and your money could be spent better else were in you garden. as well when your ground freezes it gets rid of a lot of bad pests. but on the other hand if you have the money to use i would put the cables in and only plug them in a month befor you plant to give you a jump start.

cost of this info was .02

12/28/2003 7:30:52 PM

Deer Park WA

JMattW, also calculate the voltage drop between you outlet breaker size and the gauge thickness of your extension cord conductors. We would hate to see you burn down your patch/house. Helpfull engineering note #1: for every 100 feet increse conducter size. 20 amp at 100 feet = 12 gauge, 20 amp at 200 feet = 10 gauge... Learn not to Fry, also include ground fault protection!

Conclusion; Just wait untill spring then plant a hot seed in humic soil.

12/28/2003 9:57:19 PM

Omaha, NE (N41-15-42 )

Thanks for all of the input!

12/29/2003 12:42:05 AM