My 2013 hotbed project

[Redbaron]

Awesome! Once again your method is superior! I had to use old leaves to insulate. Your bed looking good.

[Masbustelo]

I forgot to add that I planted about 50 linear feet of seed, and have about 1/3 of the bed left open to replant tomatoes and peppers as they get larger. I spaced the rows about 4 inches apart. Thanks Scott.

[Redbaron]

Originally Posted by Masbustelo

I forgot to add that I planted about 50 linear feet of seed, and have about 1/3 of the bed left open to replant tomatoes and peppers as they get larger. I spaced the rows about 4 inches apart. Thanks Scott.

I don't plant directly in my bed until later. For now I use it to bottom heat the seedlings that are potted up. Later I will plant directly in the bed, but I will plant water melons to give them a jump start much early in the season.

[Masbustelo]

It has been cool and rainy so I put a little heater in to raise the air temperature a little in the day time for a couple of days. I want to be sure I get good pepper germination. Also water was accumulating on my insulated blanket and tearing my plastic loose, so I put some supports under it.

[Masbustelo]

Most of the tomatoes germinated in four days. The seeds I personally saved have done better than purchased seeds.

[Masbustelo]

Here is a picture of the inline vent fan, thermostat and small heater I am using.

[Masbustelo]

After 19 days the soil temp is still 95 degrees at four inches.