trends & technology
“THERE ARE
HEATING
SOLUTIONS
that will work to
keep your plants at a
pleasant temperature
that will keep you
growing all season long.”
Soil Mats
One of the first options available for heating your
growroom is focusing on heating the soil rather than
the air. Soil or seedling mats sit underneath your trays
and pots to provide the warmth that growing plants
need. These soil mats are a great option when you
want that ideal soil temperature between 75-85°F but
can’t imagine trying to keep the heat in your home or
greenhouse at that temperature. Some people only
think of this as a germination mat, but it’s valuable for
heating plants that have already germinated.
Heat Lamps
Another option is heat lamps, but depending on your
set-up, this may not be an ideal solution. Some people
may opt for heat lamps rather than heated soil mats,
but this can sometimes backfire. Depending on where
you have it located in your set-up and how long it’s left
on, the heat lamp can dry out your plants and result in
burns to your foliage. When using a heat lamp, you’ll
want to keep it on just for a short period of time and
ensure that you’re checking the moisture levels of your
soil. There’s a good chance that you’ll need to water
regularly to keep the dirt moist.
Compost Generated Heat
It may sound crazy, but you can use compost to
warm your plants. This option is one way to create
a heat sink and is excellent for greenhouses and
hoop houses. You can dig a trench inside of your
greenhouse, and cover it with a type of removable
walkway so it’s not a problem. This compost will
heat up thanks to your daytime temperatures and
will release this heat later in the day. Plus, you’ll
get the bonus of having all that black gold ready to
add to your garden. Just keep in mind you’ll have
to carefully consider where you’re going to put that
open compost pile.
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grow cycle