Local heating mat sources?

Woodenzoo · March 17, 2007

I thought I've read either here or there that Walmart's or HD sells these things, but I can't find any.
I've read the thread about alternative heat sources, but don't have the supplies nor time to 'create'. No warm spots, like top of frig. or other heat source...
So, does anyone know of local stores that carry these things?
I need to start my pepper seeds and it's cold in here!
Thanks!
Cathy

shelleybean · March 17, 2007

Have you checked at the garden center? Our garden centers here carry them but of course these are just local chains.

dcarch · March 17, 2007

Drug stores, eBay, other stores which sell blankets have electric heating pads for various other purposes. Most of them have adjustable thermostats. they are washable also.

dcarch

Woodenzoo · March 17, 2007

Thanks for the quick response Michele!
Don't know why I didn't think of some of the smaller/local garden stores!

I'll give a couple a try!
Thanks!
Cathy

Woodenzoo · March 17, 2007

Hey dcarch,
What would I need to do to use them?
(I know the info is here somewhere...)
Walgreens would be easier to get to...
And it would be multi-purpose!!!
Great for after a back breaking day planting out seedlings, huh?

Thanks!
Cathy

**tomatoaddict** · March 17, 2007

I bought two medium size heating pads without auto shut-off, and adjustable heat settings for $7 each at Marc's. ( I don't know if you have those in your area). I sprouted all of my peppers using them and they worked great!!!

Sherry_AK · March 17, 2007

Our WalMart carries them (as does Lowes and Home Depot), but they are in a kit with a tray, jiffy pellets, and humidity dome. Here they run about $30 for that kit.

Tomstrees · March 17, 2007

I considered one ... but after reading that after 8 days with a heat pad or 8 days without; there is 100% germination for tomato seed ...
Maybe one day I'll want em up in 4 ...

However, I really can see using one for peppers seeds though ...

~ Tom

dcarch · March 17, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodenzoo

Hey dcarch, What would I need to do to use them? (I know the info is here somewhere...) Walgreens would be easier to get to... And it would be multi-purpose!!!
Great for after a back breaking day planting out seedlings, huh?

Thanks!
Cathy

1. I would get a larger one and fold it to get more even heating.
2. I would get a thermometer to check on the temperature.
3. I would wrap the whole thing in plastic to waterproof it. I don't think you should operate it while it is wet.

dcarch

Rena · March 17, 2007

I posted this in another thread but I have heard of using old waterbed heaters. They look like big greenhouse types.

Woodenzoo · March 17, 2007

Thanks for all the ideas and suggestions everyone!
Have to go out to Walgreens tomorrow anyway and will check out the garden center on the way first. Hopefully one of those two will have something I can use! If not then I guess I'll drive to the next closest place.

Really surprised that my Walmart's and HD doesn't have them. You would think this is the time of year that everyone would be looking for something like that.
Tom,
My tomato seeds came up just fine last year, in the basement under lights. I even wintersowed some tomatoes (peppers too!) and out of the ws tomatoes, I grew out a mortgage lifter that did very well (I gave away the others). The peppers I only winter/springsowed and though I got a few plants, they didn't do so well for me.
This year, I'll start all the tomatoes in the basement again and I plan on starting the peppers right and growing them under better circumstances...
Gotta go and read up some more on the Pepper board!

Thanks again!
Cathy

wilderness1989 · March 18, 2007

HEATERS AVAILABLE HERE: http://search.ebay.com/seed-heating_W0QQfromZR40 Take a look.

Woodenzoo · March 18, 2007

I'm back from the store!
I got a heating pad that is 'wet proof' and 3 temps.
Would it be ok to just place a piece of plastic between the pad and the flat of seeds? Or I guess I can use an old plastic drip cloth (for painting) to wrap it in.
(I don't expect that I'll be placing a dripping wet flat of seeds on it and I'm sure I'll move the flat if/when I need to water it).
Are there any considerations as to what surface I place/use it on?

I'll tell you, when it comes to anything electrical, I get very nervous and am a complete idiot! So any little details anyone can give will really help a lot!
Thanks!
Cathy

March 17, 2007	#1
Woodenzoo Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ohio z6 Posts: 141	Local heating mat sources? I thought I've read either here or there that Walmart's or HD sells these things, but I can't find any. I've read the thread about alternative heat sources, but don't have the supplies nor time to 'create'. No warm spots, like top of frig. or other heat source... So, does anyone know of local stores that carry these things? I need to start my pepper seeds and it's cold in here! Thanks! Cathy

March 17, 2007	#2
shelleybean Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 2,648	Have you checked at the garden center? Our garden centers here carry them but of course these are just local chains. __________________ Michele

March 17, 2007	#3
dcarch Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: NY Posts: 2,618	Drug stores, eBay, other stores which sell blankets have electric heating pads for various other purposes. Most of them have adjustable thermostats. they are washable also. dcarch __________________ tomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomato matomato tomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomato matomato tomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomatomato matomato

March 17, 2007	#6
tomatoaddict Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: zone 5 Posts: 1,459	I bought two medium size heating pads without auto shut-off, and adjustable heat settings for $7 each at Marc's. ( I don't know if you have those in your area). I sprouted all of my peppers using them and they worked great!!! __________________ Secretseedcartel.com

March 17, 2007	#8
Tomstrees Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NJ Bayshore Posts: 3,848	I considered one ... but after reading that after 8 days with a heat pad or 8 days without; there is 100% germination for tomato seed ... Maybe one day I'll want em up in 4 ... However, I really can see using one for peppers seeds though ... ~ Tom __________________ My green thumb came only as a result of the mistakes I made while learning to see things from the plant's point of view. ~ H. Fred Ale

March 17, 2007	#7
Sherry_AK Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Alaska Zone 3/4 Posts: 1,857	Our WalMart carries them (as does Lowes and Home Depot), but they are in a kit with a tray, jiffy pellets, and humidity dome. Here they run about $30 for that kit.

March 17, 2007	#10
Rena Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Warm Springs, GA Posts: 1,421	I posted this in another thread but I have heard of using old waterbed heaters. They look like big greenhouse types.

March 18, 2007	#12
wilderness1989 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 5b - Effingham, Illinois Posts: 59	HEATERS AVAILABLE HERE: http://search.ebay.com/seed-heating_W0QQfromZR40 Take a look. __________________ I'm from the government and I'm here to help you. ;-)