Warm Water Dumb Question?

countrynaturals 5/12/2016, 12:34 pm

I have trouble germinating seeds that want warm soil (over 65 degrees). Last night a light bulb went off in my head. They want warm soil, but I'm watering with tap water that's probably 50-60 degrees (just guessing). I tried searching here and Google for info but couldn't find anything. I'm guessing I should have known better and used warm water all along but I never gave it a thought. Embarassed

(Common sense isn't my super power. Rolling Eyes

) Is the rest of the world already doing this and you guys are just shaking your heads at me right now? Sad

CapeCoddess 5/12/2016, 12:46 pm

Hmm...inside I use room temp filtered water in a spritzer and watering can. I also warm up the moistened MM filled cells on the heating pad before planting the seeds, a trick I just learned this year from someone on the forum. Outside at the SFG I use sun warmed bucket water. But, at the opposite end of the spectrum, I sometimes will use cold tap water on my cool crops when it gets really hot out.

CC

countrynaturals 5/12/2016, 1:04 pm

Thanks, CC. I've really never paid much attention to what I was doing, before. I knew the difference between cool weather and warm weather crops, but other than that I just threw my seeds at the dirt and yelled "GROW!" Now that I have this fancy garden and plenty of time to play, it's time to get serious and figure out how to do things right. thinking

landarch 5/12/2016, 3:03 pm

I water tomato and pepper seedlings with warm water...mostly because I'm inpatient and the pitcher fills faster with both hot and cold turned on.

I tend to use a heated setup for seed starting...either seedling heat mats (found on sale last year at Mendards for under $10 - bought 3)...or I put flats of seedlings on an old drafting table then place an oil-filled portable radiator on under the table (it turns the entire table top into a giant heat mat).

**Kelejan** 5/12/2016, 3:18 pm

I water from buckets left outside to get equal with the air temperature. That way there is no shock to the small plants. I asume the established plants, having deep roots, will be alright.

**trolleydriver** 5/12/2016, 3:27 pm

I don't worry about it. For indoor seedlings I have a bottle of water that I allow to go to room temperature. But when It is empty and I need more water for the seedling I just take it right from the cold water tap. From what I can tell the cool/cold water did not harm my seedlings.

Last year in my SFG beds I watered the plants with a watering can which I filled from the hose. That water can be quite cool. Again the crops did not seem to mind. This year I may try using water from a bucket of water left to warm up near the SFG beds (or not).

Maybe I should be taking more care with my seedlings and plants.

**Kelejan** 5/12/2016, 3:31 pm

TD, your seedlings are most impressive and I doubt anything you do differently will make much difference.

Sometimes I think we overthink things.

countrynaturals 5/12/2016, 3:39 pm

Thanks for all the great info, everyone. Very Happy

Landarch, I love the idea of a heater under a table. I will try that next winter in the butterfly/greenhouse. Warm Water Dumb Question? 3170584802

**trolleydriver** 5/12/2016, 3:41 pm

Kelejan wrote:TD, your seedlings are most impressive and I doubt anything you do differently will make much difference.

Sometimes I think we overthink things.

I agree 100% that we overthink things and make our gardening experience more difficult than it needs to be. Mel gave us the instructions for a simple and proven system. Why make things complicated than necessary.

**Scorpio Rising** 5/12/2016, 8:52 pm

trolleydriver wrote:
Kelejan wrote:TD, your seedlings are most impressive and I doubt anything you do differently will make much difference.

Sometimes I think we overthink things.

I agree 100% that we overthink things and make our gardening experience more difficult than it needs to be. Mel gave us the instructions for a simple and proven system. Why make things complicated than necessary.

We all saw your garden, TD. No worries, mate!

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