Checked the soil temperature in the seedling bed today. It's running about 33'-35'F. I have the thermometer installed to read at about mid pot level.
Here's the set up I install in the Fall to check on soil temp. I keep one in every garden 'just for the heck of it'. It's really not necessary--but I'm the curious type. I use just a 20 inch standard compost bi metal dial thermometer inserted into a 3/4ths inch dia PVC pipe. The purpose of long tube set up is so that it sticks out above a pretty good snowfall cover making it easy to spot and read. I suppose you've already guessed--if you know me, these thermometers have been checked, calibrated and rechecked for best accuracy with temps between 20-40'F. A plastic bag secured with a tiny rubberband keeps the dial waterproof. The warmest reading was 39'F in an unmulched (bare ground) garden, probably due to a recent half inch rainfall. The mulched gardens ran 33-35'F, so the mulch is doing what should--hold the temp steady (and down). I really wouild like to have colder temps and a darn good snowfall so the pine boughs can do thier job. Anyway, here are some pics.
