Hi Steve, To address your original questions about soil heat cables.......we live in a very cold climate here in Wyoming at over 6,000' elevation with winter temps as low as -40 degrees F. We have not used soil heat cables in an outside grow box - but did decide to experiment with a grow box inside our unheated GH. We bought the cable length we needed based on the area we wanted to cover - 30" X 96" and according to the spacing the cable manufacturer recommended. We followed instructions and mounted the cable to 1/2" hardware cloth and then mounted the hardware cloth to cattle panel for extra stability and ease of moving/storing. We purchased a thermostat and set the temperature at 55 degrees F and placed the cable buried 4"s in a raised bed within our GH and made a polycarbonate cover to create a box with lids. We tried to grow salad veggies during the winter months - November thru March. The daytime temps in the GH on a sunny day were between 30-70 degrees F even when OS temps were 0 degrees F so I would raise or remove the lid during the day and cover the box at night when OS temps were as low as -30 degrees F and IS GH temps as low as around 0 degrees F. The soil heat cables were usually only running during the night so I did not notice much difference in our electricity bill. The photo below was taken on January 31st. We are in Zone 3 where danger of frost remains through June 1st and there is snow on the ground usually through April but we have had snow and frost in every month of the year during cold spells. I think most would agree the experiment was a success! The cons in my opinion is the cost of the cables, wire and thermostat and the daily covering/uncovering of the lid (although the polycarbonate only needed to be removed on sunny days because of the heat build-up). When I retire I may do this every winter but for now - it is nice to have a winter break from the GH. We also use the Soil Heat Cable as a germination mat on top of the soil in the GH in February - March as an overflow box from our inside grow lights - that works well too. We are building grow boxes this year OS for our squash and other warm weather plants and appreciate your design!

Nancy - congrats and well wishes for another nesting this season. Lisa - Don't count your chickens yet - with the birdy "Day of Our Lives" going on in your backyard, I'd be surprised at nothing. I was sure my pair would head out after they fledged batch #2 - I had to leave on vacation for a week and stopped putting out mealie. But, surprise! When I got home, Momma had a lovely third nest built and had already filled it with four eggs. I'll cross my fingers for you - your girly bird is a Hussy-Mom, afterall...

I experienced the loss of a son to death, and within 3 years, my other son grew up and moved away, but was still close enough to talk with and visit regularly. It was very difficult, because giving birth to and rearing children creates the feeling that they are literally a part of you, and that you have lost a part of yourself when they are gone. It's hard to accept, but it's a natural part of living and aging. Everyone and everything comes and goes eventually. This is a good time to get involved in hobbies or other activities in the community that you haven't had time for in the past. It's also a good time to nurture your marriage, if you are married, or form new friendships and relationships outside the home if you have neglected to do so in past years. The void left by your children can't be filled in the same way it once was, but you can still have a fulfilling life focusing your attention elsewhere. Your girls will always be your babies in a way, and assuming most of the memories are fond, you will always keep that little part of your heart reserved for them. I look at my son and the fine young man he has turned out to be, and it fills my heart with joy and pride. He's still my little one down deep inside, but life goes on, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Mrs H

It's one of my favorite shows and I thought the season finale was great. Loved it when she (mom) went looking for her son at the party dressed in her jammies and then started dancing. What better way to humiliate your kid lol Modern Family finale was good too!