How to Make Your Own Heat Mat for Germinating Plants

Most seeds germinate quickly with a soil temperature of 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. You can mimic the effect of the spring sun by using a heat mat, giving yourself a head start on the growing season. The drawback with commercially available heat mats is their steep price tag. However, you can make your own heat mat out of objects in your home that already give off low levels of heat every day, such as inexpensive decorative lights.

Drywall
Rope lights
Wire ties
Screws
Screw driver or drill
Plastic sheeting or vinyl tablecloth
40-watt bulb
Metal shelf

Instructions

- 1
  Select two pieces of drywall that are cut to the appropriate size for your needs. This could be only large enough for a single tray, or large enough to cover an entire counter top.
- 2
  Arrange rope lights -- small bulbs encased in clear tubing -- over the first piece of drywall. You may zig-zag them or spiral them, as long as you have even coverage of lights over the drywall.
- 3
  Secure the lights to the drywall with plastic wire ties and small screws. Use enough ties that the lights stay where you put them.
- 4
  Lay the second sheet of drywall on top of the lights. It will absorb the heat from the lights and gently raise the temperature of your seed trays from the bottom up.

How to Clean a Rubber-Tree Leaf With a Home Remedy

How to Grow Ivy in Water With Miracle Grow

Growing Plants