Is warming soil necessary?

[annetteevans]

hi everyone,
i have just bought a raised bed and filled it with compost. i've heard that you should warm your compost, is this true?

random question i know

[phleeps]

I reckon so...

I'm a beginner myself, so not sure if you want my advice. I also have a raised bed which I have covered with black bin bags held in place by rock/rods. I uncovered it today and definitely noticed that the soil was in much better condition than I had hoped - very few lumps, not at all waterlogged and reasonably warm to the touch. From what I have read about sowing seeds etc I think this should help get things sprouting alot quicker.

[Snadger]

If you warm the soil you can usually fool the plant into believing we're further into spring than we really are, and get a head start!

It also stops the seed from rotting in cold damp soil!

[Alice]

The soil will warm naturally as the weather warms up but if you want to make an early start then its advisable to warm the soil up a bit. Seeds won't germinate and plants won't grow in cold, wet soil.
Likewise for seeds being germinated indoors. If the bags of compost have been lying outdoors or in a cold garage the compost should be warmed up before seed planting.

[annetteevans]

Thaks everyone, you've been great

[pigletwillie]

Raised beds tend to warm up quicker anyway as they are "raised" and tend to be a bit dryer.