The hotbed is a traditional and truly brilliant invention that will heat the plants without needing electricity. The first spring vegetables can be harvested in March.
Even the polycarbonate cover itself helps to heat the soil, but once the sun goes, the space will soon cool down. However, if you prepare the right hotbed, whose secrets are in natural bottom heating, they can germinate seeds and seedlings during February. You can use both the covers sold and your own steam frame of wood or bricks and outer windows made of glass or polycarbonate.
Step by step procedure
- Choose a sunny space and dig here at least half a meter deep pit you put the frame above. An alternative is a raised flower bed, but you must insulate the walls against cold.
- Stir at the bottom at least 30 cm thick heating layer of fresh manure and sprinkle with water. If the manure has cooled, revive it with a burn lime and pour hot water.
- Put a 20 cm thick layer of mature compost, or a mixture with quality soil, leaf, sand or pearlit. The manure warms this layer, but the plants will not spice directly in it – for most its nutritious action would be too strong – it will benefit the plants when it breaks down.
- Do not separate the bottom of the surrounding soil. Thus, useful microorganisms will have access to the hotbed, as well as diligent earthworms that move as soon as the temperature drops a little. On the bottom you can lay a mesh against the voles.
- In a week of establishment, the soil is warmed up and you can net or plant a variety of leafy vegetables and radishes.
Useful tips
- Manure often gets for small breeders for transport, for smaller hotbeds is enough wheels.
- Manure can also be replaced by fresh, well -mixed compost, in which a third are fresh nitrogen -rich material (grass, weed, vegetables or droppings) and the rest of the dry leaves, straw or wood chips.
- During the day, in sunny weather, the temperature in the hotbed can rise too much, and the plants need fresh air. Do not forget ventilation.
- After the first harvest, you can fit the relaxed space with cucumbers, pumpkins or zucchini, the decaying manure will testify to them.
About the author
Jana Bucharová studied biology at the Faculty of Science. For twenty years, the laws of nature have been trying to use in their garden for twenty years, which they share with a flock of clever hens and a respectable cock.
