Hotbed In The Polytunnel
I started the Polytunnel hotbed by collecting fresh horse manure in straw on 20th January 2017. I left this in the trailer until the 24th when I put it in the hotbed and it filled half of the hotbed frame.
On the 25th, I collected more manure, this time it had wood shavings in it, which isn't the best because it takes longer to decompose, but beggars can't be choosers. Adding this took it to the top of the hotbed frame. When I'm adding the materials, I tread them down and also add water.
The dimensions are now 6 feet by 3 feet by 2 feet high, this should generate a good 2 month's bottom heat, enough to keep any frosts at bay.
On the 25th, I collected more manure, this time it had wood shavings in it, which isn't the best because it takes longer to decompose, but beggars can't be choosers. Adding this took it to the top of the hotbed frame. When I'm adding the materials, I tread them down and also add water.
The dimensions are now 6 feet by 3 feet by 2 feet high, this should generate a good 2 month's bottom heat, enough to keep any frosts at bay.
As the heat in the hotbed is slowly building, I can start to sow and plant more veg.
The 1st February is IMBOLC or St Brigid's Feast Day heralding the start of Spring and I felt good, knowing from now on we were going to get longer day lengths and the temperatures would slowly be climbing. This tempted me into doing some planting and sowing.
Using a mix of last year's spent hotbed material and spent compost from my Tomatoes in pots last year, I potted up 9 Accord also a Kestrel and a couple of Charlotte Potatoes, all that I'd grown last year and they'd sprouted in the bags, I also potted up a Lady Christl and a Maris Bard that I bought at Whitchurch, Hampshire Potato Day. These were all put singly in 2 litre pots.
I also sowed some Sugarbon Peas, (which I'd soaked overnight in water), in guttering.
I needed some Chives and bought a potful from a supermarket. They were crammed in the pot with very little compost so I decided to divide them and made up 6 pots in total. I can take one pot at a time home to use.
I still had some spare sprouting Accord and Charlotte Potatoes and gave these away later.
The 1st February is IMBOLC or St Brigid's Feast Day heralding the start of Spring and I felt good, knowing from now on we were going to get longer day lengths and the temperatures would slowly be climbing. This tempted me into doing some planting and sowing.
Using a mix of last year's spent hotbed material and spent compost from my Tomatoes in pots last year, I potted up 9 Accord also a Kestrel and a couple of Charlotte Potatoes, all that I'd grown last year and they'd sprouted in the bags, I also potted up a Lady Christl and a Maris Bard that I bought at Whitchurch, Hampshire Potato Day. These were all put singly in 2 litre pots.
I also sowed some Sugarbon Peas, (which I'd soaked overnight in water), in guttering.
I needed some Chives and bought a potful from a supermarket. They were crammed in the pot with very little compost so I decided to divide them and made up 6 pots in total. I can take one pot at a time home to use.
I still had some spare sprouting Accord and Charlotte Potatoes and gave these away later.