Heating the "exotic" plant beds
 

I am pretty new to gardening, so if some knows a link to where this info is covered please post it. I live in zone 5-6, and dig up 3/4 of my yard every spring and fall. I wintered musa basjoo in the ground last year and thinking about trying it with Musella lasiocarpa this year, if I get some soon and with some size. Has anyone ran heat cable through their plant beds with any success? If I could keep the ground at 0°F to 10°F I could leave a lot more in the ground with a tarp and some mulch. I know their are other methods using ground heat, but I am not sure I want to spend that kind of money for this yard.

Any ideas?

Re: Heating the "exotic" plant beds
 

Very, very intriguing idea that I have considered before also. I just don't know where to go with this. This should be interesting topic if you can get any replies.

I'm also in zone denial.

Cheers.

Re: Heating the "exotic" plant beds
 

Well I have been talking to some local people and trying to figure something out. We have talked about using the same type of system some local concrete people use to heat a driveway to clear the snow and ice, but I need to look into it more when I have a little extra time. I did find heat cable that is used to heat the soil for green houses that may work. I may just need to dig two or three testing beds and see what type of systems I can get ready for the next winter.

Re: Heating the "exotic" plant beds
 

If paying the electric bill is no problem then that will be OK I think. The higher the rating (wattage) the more it will consume electricity.
I bought an electric heating cable that rates 1800 watts (this is considered small) for my citrus trees and my electric bill went up considerably. So I let nature takes its course. Just covered my citrus with clear plastics.
It is just like having your toaster on 24 hours a day or electric iron .