1) yes, the thermostat should turn off the mat when it reaches the desired temp.

Different seeds require different soil temps. What are you starting and what is the starting temp range?

I have a few tomatoes already sprouted, and some early peppers. The peppers have not sprouted yet. I am keeping it around 75 F

Lily,

You do have a plastic dome over your heat mat right? If not, you’ll be trying to heat the entire basement with that mat :-)

Your thermostat should have a small censor cable that goes under the dome. It should show the temperature, under that dome, and shut the mat off when the temperature that you’ve selected is reached. I don’t grow vegetables from seed but I think germination temperatures of between 70 and 78 degrees should be about right.

The heat mat (and dome) are only needed for germination. Once your seeds have sprouted, they need to be removed from the heat. You really don’t want to heat the plant roots; that could stress the plants. Your 60 degree basement should be fine for the plants until you can get them planted outside. Just make sure they get plenty of light.

Hope this is helpful,

Art

Agree. Anything that has already sprouted must be removed from the heat mat and from under any dome or cover. The seedlings are cooked otherwise.

Dave

yup already been doing that! I have a light set up in the basement, so when the seedlings sprout I get them under the light right away. The ones that have not sprouted yet are in a different room. I'll try to add the dome in when I move the rest of the trays downstairs.