The idea of turning it off at night usually springs from the observation that the earth cools at night and warms up again in the day thanks to the sun.
Using a heat mat to grow seedlings fast.
Heat mats have one basic function which is to gently warm the soil thus promoting faster germination and strong healthy seedlings.
Heat mats are marketed as a propagation mat or seedling heat mats as well but the function is the same.
These are all warm crops and they do not survive in cold conditions.
Most home gardeners do not need one.
Place the heat mat on a flat dry surface in an area that matches the light requirements for your seeds.
They are useful for rooting cuttings.
Since a heat mat can be pricey at 30 50 you want it to grow with you because maybe next year your garden will be twice the size.
Seed mats come in many sizes but i always suggest to size up.
Do you need a seedling heat mat.
Seedling heat mats should really be called germination heat mats.
Almost all seedlings grow better at temperatures below the optimum germination temperature.
To make sure the mat is accurate we also use an extra thermometer that gets inserted directly into the soil.
Leave the heat mat on and set to the same temperature 24 hours a day until the seeds sprout.
After i ve sown the seeds and turned on the heat mat do i leave it on all night.
How to use seedling mats.
Seedling heat mat make it easy to grow tomatoes lettuce broccoli peppers eggplants etc at any time of the year.
Once the seed has germinated they should be removed from the mat.
How to use a thermometer for seedlings.
Some seeds require total darkness for germination.