Turn off heating cables and/or open the cold frame cover for gradually longer periods of time. Start with 3-4 hours and gradually increase the exposure time by 1-2 hours per day.
A propagating mat under your flats or heating cables buried beneath the seed bed are the best way to ensure that the seeds receive this bottom heat.
Pumpkin professionals use ground-heating cables to keep the soil warm and toasty in early spring. Once the cool spring mornings have passed, the greenhouse or cables can be removed.
All herb seeds benefit from bottom heat, so when there is a soil-heating cable
available for early spring sowings make full use of it. Warm compost promotes the
rapid germination of most herb seeds and is particularly useful for gardeners who ...
BOTTOM HEAT: An arrangement used in propagation. Usually electric heating cables will run through the base of the propagation medium. Great for seed germination and cuttings.
BOSS: A ring of prominent and decorative stamens.
Hot beds are heated by soil-heating cables (Fig. 1); steam-carrying pipes; or fresh, strawy manure buried beneath the rooting zones of the plants.
You can keep your covered flats warm by putting them on top of the refrigerator or water heater, or buy a grow mat or heating cable from your local garden center.
So, I place the seed flats in a special section of the bench that's directly above a heat vent. Heating cables, available from most mail-order garden suppliers, would undoubtedly be more controllable, more reliable, and less drying, though.
Bottom heat is best so place your containers in a warm spot like on top of the water heater or even on top of the VCR. Alternatively, you can use heating cables or a heating mat under the containers.
Nestle dark-colored water-filled gallon jugs around the frame to gather and hold extra heat. Electric heating cables and mats will also work.
 See also: Soil, Water, Light, Plant, Seedling
  
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