Check your seed packages to determine the ideal temperature and light exposure for seed germination.
Using a heat mat to grow seedlings fast.
Some seeds require total darkness for germination.
They are useful for rooting cuttings.
Seedling heat mat make it easy to grow tomatoes lettuce broccoli peppers eggplants etc at any time of the year.
This could be a natural or artificial light source.
Place the heat mat on a flat dry surface in an area that matches the light requirements for your seeds.
Heat mats have one basic function which is to gently warm the soil thus promoting faster germination and strong healthy seedlings.
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.
Seedling heat mats should really be called germination heat mats.
These are all warm crops and they do not survive in cold conditions.
How to use seedling mats.
Most home gardeners do not need one.
How to use a thermometer for seedlings.
Seed mats come in many sizes but i always suggest to size up.
Once the seed has germinated they should be removed from the mat.
Expert growers grow warm crops throughout the year by creating warm conditions for their plants.
Heat mats are marketed as a propagation mat or seedling heat mats as well but the function is the same.
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.
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.