[Jay Dubya]

Hi, spot on Salmo, forgot to mention the depth but i think it's a daytime temperature.

Keep on a troshing J W

[Paul Plots]

I've got a soil thermometer and it is really useful. Have to remind myself not to get carried away when it reads 12 at lunch time as it bound to be much colder at night. Can't take the temperature at night as the torch hasn't come yet, Learner!!! 

I'm sure they must do remote sensors that transmit the temperature readings to your computer throughout the day. Power source -  solar panel driven with rechargeable batteries so able to keep working in the dark until next charge the following morning. 

(All so fits in with "Earth Hour" - very green)

Personally I just turn my back to the sun and feel the warmth.... if it is warm enough for me it might be warm enough for seeds.....not that I'm hanging about out there all night even with a decent torch!

[sunshineband]

I've got a soil thermometer and it is really useful. Have to remind myself not to get carried away when it reads 12 at lunch time as it bound to be much colder at night. Can't take the temperature at night as the torch hasn't come yet, Learner!!! 

I'm sure they must do remote sensors that transmit the temperature readings to your computer throughout the day. Power source -  solar panel driven with rechargeable batteries so able to keep working in the dark until next charge the following morning. 

(All so fits in with "Earth Hour" - very green)

Personally I just turn my back to the sun and feel the warmth.... if it is warm enough for me it might be warm enough for seeds.....not that I'm hanging about out there all night even with a decent torch!
 Even a decent torch won't raise the soil temp enough, so trun your back to the sun and enjoy

[Brian_of_Bozeat]

I like the sound of the soil thermometer gadget... But I'm confused.

If the seeds will be sown at a half inch deep then why measure the temperature at 4" deep? are you saying that if the ground measures 7 degrees at 4" deep then it must be higher than 7 degrees in the soil above?

Please explain in more depth! - depth, haha! <sorry>

[oldbean]

I'm sure they must do remote sensors that transmit the temperature readings to your computer throughout the day. Power source -  solar panel driven with rechargeable batteries so able to keep working in the dark until next charge the following morning. 

There are small battery powered logging units available. They were designed to continuously monitor chiller cabinet temperatures. You just down load the data in the morning. (Or some other time).

[Paul Plots]

I like the sound of the soil thermometer gadget... But I'm confused.

If the seeds will be sown at a half inch deep then why measure the temperature at 4" deep? are you saying that if the ground measures 7 degrees at 4" deep then it must be higher than 7 degrees in the soil above?

Please explain in more depth! - depth, haha! <sorry>

I'm confused too but it might be something to do with the soil retaining heat once it has reached a good temperature several inches below the surface.. .

It amazes me how it is possible to run central heating and domestic hot water systems from heat stored in the ground...

[Paul Plots]

I'm sure they must do remote sensors that transmit the temperature readings to your computer throughout the day. Power source -  solar panel driven with rechargeable batteries so able to keep working in the dark until next charge the following morning. 

There are small battery powered logging units available. They were designed to continuously monitor chiller cabinet temperatures. You just down load the data in the morning. (Or some other time).

Blinking clever....sounds similar to the portable logging units the children use at school for science investigations.

[sunshineband]

Yes these probably are very similar, but I just use the trusty old thermometer that cost about £2.50 years ago. It has a good strong metal point and taking the temperature first thing in the morning has given a good guide as to whether it is warm enough to sow or not ... or you could use L's methos of the sun on your back of course, which has been used for centuries (not by Learner I say quickly  )

[Paul Plots]

Yes these probably are very similar, but I just use the trusty old thermometer that cost about £2.50 years ago. It has a good strong metal point and taking the temperature first thing in the morning has given a good guide as to whether it is warm enough to sow or not ... or you could use L's methos of the sun on your back of course, which has been used for centuries (not by Learner I say quickly  )

How nice of you to point that out sunshineband - (Despite looks....half a century only    )

[sunshineband]

Glad to help Learner --- I have been told appearances can be deceptive so have learned to err on the side of caution to save embarrassing moments 

[8doubles]

April sown.
In the ground.
No paste.
No transplanting
NO manure!

Unlike DD (above) i failed with direct sown parsnip for years so i started some gladiators in kitchen roll tubes and now get excellent crops and no need to core even the biggest  of nearly 4.5lb.

[Paul Plots]

That's a biggun! 

There must be some spare for parsnip crisps! (potato peeler and very quick deep-fry) 

[sunshineband]

Enough parsnip crisps there to share I reckon Yum Yum

[Jay Dubya]

Hi, ithink they say 4" because the stored up temp. is lower down, and the surface temp. can be variable.

[Brian_of_Bozeat]

Hi, ithink they say 4" because the stored up temp. is lower down, and the surface temp. can be variable.

But that is where the seeds will be. In the variable bit! i guess it must be that if the more consistent bit is at a regular 7 degrees then the variable bit above will vary within an acceptable (to the seed that is) range.

Still, if i'm honest. Theres loads of stuff in the veg patch that works without me knowing the inside & out of it, so I will accept the tip without further questions.