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(More customer reviews)We are home gardeners and have tried many ways to provide bottom-heat for vegetable seed germination -- atop my always-on docked laptop was the most effective but the space was tiny. We bought a 20" x 20" heat mat and now have the right tool for the job. We set it up on a card table and found that it was not providing sufficient heat to the soil in the trays above. After an overnight on the mat, the soil surface was less than 10 degrees above ambient temperature. The room where the seeds are was 60 degrees overnight, and the soil surface in the trays was 68 degrees -- certainly not good enough for eggplant germination. I used an infrared thermometer (Raytek Minitemp MT6 here on Amazon) to check all temps. The exposed mat surface (no tray on top) was 82 degrees. I felt the surface on the underside of the card able and it was definitely warm, indicating heat loss downward. I wanted all of the heat to go up into the soil, so I cut a piece of rigid-foam insulation just slightly larger than the heat mat (22" x 22") and put it under the mat. Within 15 minutes the exposed surface of the mat was at 97 degrees and when I moved a tray to measure the temp of the mat beneath a tray, it was at 115 degrees. 2 hours later, the soil surface temperature was at 85 degrees. I am now confident the soil will get enough heat for proper germination, and I will begin using the heat mat thermostat to regulate soil temps based on the particular seeds we're starting (search the Web for "vegetable seed germination temperatures" to find one of the many reference charts available). We can also regulate temperature by covering or uncovering the trays to change the rate of evaporative cooling. We are well aware that covered soil is more prone to damping off/seedling death, which we now control with a spray of strong-brewed chamomile tea.
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Get a jump start on plantings and speed germination with this heat mat from Hydrofarm. The mat provides even heat distribution with its intricate pattern of fine wire throughout its waterproof, fray-proof material. The unit fits under one common seed flat to warm the rooting area 10 to 20 degrees over ambient temperature. Waterproof construction means optimal safety from electrical shock. The purchase includes the 17-watt mat, instructions printed on the mat. UL listed, the kit also comes complete with a 6-foot power cord.
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