I'm planning to start my seedlings in my cold basement this year since I'm in Zone 6B, New England. The temperature tends to hover around 60 degrees down there, and I want to avoid the hassle of remembering to turn off a heater. Can anyone recommend a reliable heating mat?
4 Answers
I've just started using a heating mat for the first time too, and I got a Vivosun model with a thermostat. It's been working great for me, especially since my basement is chilly! My tomatoes have already sprouted!
Honestly, any heating mat can work just fine. I suggest getting a thermostat controller as it will automatically turn off the heat once your soil hits the right temperature, which is super handy!
I use an Inkbird ITC-308 temperature controller paired with a heat mat, and it does the job perfectly! It helps manage the temp really effectively.
I have several heating mats from different brands, and all have held up well for years. Whenever I look for new mats, I check Amazon for those with the highest ratings, ideally over 50 reviews, and at least 73% five-star ratings.
I agree! The Vivosun mat is awesome. I also placed some packing foam underneath mine to help maintain the temperature.