Making and using hotbeds

**Guest** · 12-12-2018, 03:49 PM

Pop in to your local library and get Jack Firsts book on hot beds. He did do courses but can't remember where he was based and I think there is a bunch of videos on youtube.

**MyWifesBrassicas** · 12-12-2018, 04:01 PM

Originally posted by Norfolkgrey View Post

Pop in to your local library and get Jack Firsts book on hot beds. He did do courses but can't remember where he was based and I think there is a bunch of videos on youtube.

Thank you very much.
I'll search for Jack Firsts book

**nickdub** · 12-12-2018, 04:04 PM

Biggest problem is getting enough really fresh manure for the heating effect to be produced - if you keep chickens or other stock you can be probably do it.

**MyWifesBrassicas** · 12-12-2018, 04:19 PM

Originally posted by nickdub View Post

Biggest problem is getting enough really fresh manure for the heating effect to be produced - if you keep chickens or other stock you can be probably do it.

Thanks
I have chickens, but only a few, possibly looking for more.
There are a few stables in my area who i reckon will let me loose in the fresh manure, getting a trailer sorted for my car.
From what ive read, the victorians made massive piles to heat all sorts of things from swimming pools, glass houses and homes. If i add more manure/carbon at regular intervals, i should be able to keep it going for months hopefully from sep/oct time to around may/june and then hopefully use the composted hotbed on my growing area.

Has anyone tried growing in winter without supplimentary light?

Thanks

Darren

**veggiechicken** · 12-12-2018, 04:25 PM

Slow down, Darren, I can't keep up

Will your hotbed be in a greenhouse or outdoors?
Charles Dowding may help - and there's more on his website. https://www.permaculture.co.uk/videos/benefits-hotbed

What do you want to grow in winter?
Do you have a greenhouse or polytunnel?
You don't need supplementary lighting - maybe if you're trying to grow indoors, otherwise grow the things that are are happy in winter.

**Guest** · 12-12-2018, 04:36 PM

Here is an old thread from a grape who done Jacks course https://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gr...rse_83953.html

Another grape makes her beds using the no dig method https://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gr...rse_83953.html

hotbeds are a lot of hassle for just out of season salad leaves. I made several hot beds in tonne bags and they worked well but they really need to be part of your growing practice IMO. Can you not suffice with microveg indoors? or pea shoots?

**Snadger** · 12-12-2018, 04:43 PM

I think that too much moisture can be a problem as well as too litle light.

As compost heats up it gives off water vapour and could cause moulds and fungal growth in an enclosed environment

Nothing ventured nothing gained though so hopefully you will have some success.

**MyWifesBrassicas** · 12-12-2018, 04:46 PM

Originally posted by veggiechicken View Post

Slow down, Darren, I can't keep up

Will your hotbed be in a greenhouse or outdoors?
Charles Dowding may help - and there's more on his website. https://www.permaculture.co.uk/videos/benefits-hotbed

What do you want to grow in winter?
Do you have a greenhouse or polytunnel?
You don't need supplementary lighting - maybe if you're trying to grow indoors, otherwise grow the things that are are happy in winter.

ha, yes i need to, head full of compost.
i have two greenhouses, one to yet go up and this is the one i aim to have a semi sunken hot bed in. Although i think i would swap the pair of em for a polytunnel.
mostly salad like material to grow on top of this.
I've just looked at the charles dowding stuff, thats the idea i'm thinking

**Chestnut** · 12-12-2018, 06:24 PM

I have no experience, but planning to try in feb/march when light levels are better but it’s still cold.
I enjoyed reading jack first book, available as download if you’re in a hurry.
Next thing I need to do is design and build my coldframe, or unwarp the gh frame so i can shut the door!

**Aberdeenplotter** · 12-12-2018, 06:35 PM

Originally posted by MyWifesBrassicas View Post

Thanks
I have chickens, but only a few, possibly looking for more.
There are a few stables in my area who i reckon will let me loose in the fresh manure, getting a trailer sorted for my car.
From what ive read, the victorians made massive piles to heat all sorts of things from swimming pools, glass houses and homes. If i add more manure/carbon at regular intervals, i should be able to keep it going for months hopefully from sep/oct time to around may/june and then hopefully use the composted hotbed on my growing area.

Has anyone tried growing in winter without supplimentary light?

Thanks

Darren

I don't think adding manure is the ideal. From what I remember from seeing this on TV, The victorians would have removed the muck then added completely new. That was outside a greenhouse mind and there were heating pipes involved as well

**nickdub** · 12-12-2018, 07:46 PM

Originally posted by MyWifesBrassicas View Post

Thanks
I have chickens, but only a few, possibly looking for more.
There are a few stables in my area who i reckon will let me loose in the fresh manure, getting a trailer sorted for my car.
From what ive read, the victorians made massive piles to heat all sorts of things from swimming pools, glass houses and homes. If i add more manure/carbon at regular intervals, i should be able to keep it going for months hopefully from sep/oct time to around may/june and then hopefully use the composted hotbed on my growing area.

Has anyone tried growing in winter without supplimentary light?

Thanks

Darren

One thing you might want to try then is keeping the droppings from your chickens in a plastic bin to stay dry until you're ready to make up your hot-bed. Then when you put it together add a bit of water, and that should get things moving.

(be careful of the dust from the droppings after they've dried - not the best for breathing in)

**MyWifesBrassicas** · 12-12-2018, 09:04 PM

Originally posted by Norfolkgrey View Post

Here is an old thread from a grape who done Jacks course https://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gr...rse_83953.html

Another grape makes her beds using the no dig method https://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gr...rse_83953.html

hotbeds are a lot of hassle for just out of season salad leaves. I made several hot beds in tonne bags and they worked well but they really need to be part of your growing practice IMO. Can you not suffice with microveg indoors? or pea shoots?

some great information there, maybe thats it. nobody does it because its a load of hassle.
Growing indoors is not a great option, seems to cause much conflict.

**MyWifesBrassicas** · 12-12-2018, 09:09 PM

Originally posted by Aberdeenplotter View Post

I don't think adding manure is the ideal. From what I remember from seeing this on TV, The victorians would have removed the muck then added completely new. That was outside a greenhouse mind and there were heating pipes involved as well

Ah, they shifted the lot and added completely new, a lot of hassle.
saying that, i'm only after mild heat, just enough for growth. if i put new material on top, it might provide just enough heat for what i need, maybe? or might just be a complete waste of time

**veggiechicken** · 12-12-2018, 09:17 PM

You can grow salad leaves in the GH through winter. I'm picking lettuce and other stuff at the moment.
No heat, no light, just sow and grow.

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