Seed starting mats?

[cedar74]

Anyone use them? Thinking of trying them out this year to see how things turn out.

[put'n the dog on]

Absolutely. I always use them for tomatoes and peppers. They really help keep the soil warm which speeds germination. Just be sure to stop using the mat as soon as the first seeds sprout. If you continue using them the plants will become leggy and grow too fast.

They are pricy if you don't want to spend the money you can accomplish the same thing by putting your flats on top of the refrigerator

[trapnewbie]

Apr 12, 2016 11:29:58 GMT -5 put'n the dog on said:

Absolutely. I always use them for tomatoes and peppers. They really help keep the soil warm which speeds germination. Just be sure to stop using the mat as soon as the first seeds sprout. If you continue using them the plants will become leggy and grow too fast.

They are pricy if you don't want to spend the money you can accomplish the same thing by putting your flats on top of the refrigerator

I've used the heat mats for the last 5-6 years with great results, and I've proven exactly what you have warned here about making the plants 'leggy'. 
With tomatoes it isn't as important as you can lay the plants in a shallow trench and bury all but the several inches that have leaves.  I've found that the tomatoes will actually root off that part that is buried.  Peppers on the other hand don't do well that way and it's better not to let them get 'leggy'.