A hotbed how-to for propagation undercover, pros and cons

A hotbed is a rapidly created compost heap.
But how do you achieve it in the middle of winter, when there is very little green matter to provide the heat?
I show you a common material: fresh horse manure with the straw bedding. I use that because fortunately, my neighbour has a lot of it!
Horses do not digest fibres so much as cows. This makes the compost heap more aerobic and higher in nitrogen.
Nitrogen in composting terms is a green, which is necessary for heat. Plus the straw provides structure, and warmth over a longer period. Another bedding could be woodchip, but it is slower to heat.
This is a summary pf methods I have devised over 10 years of doing this in one corner of my greenhouse. The area of 1.2 m², or 4 ft.², is I reckon the minimum you need to provide a worthwhile amount of heat over a long period of propagation.
I need the heat for different seedlings, from late February until the middle of May. We top up the hotbed every three weeks or so during that period.
Filmed and edited by Edward Dowding edowdingfilms.onfabrik.com
At Homeacres, Somerset UK on 20th February and then on 8th March.
My helper is Adam Wood, who works permanently at Homeacres and is an expert on mycology, see his channel @myco_ad
00:00 Introduction, why I started making hotbeds under cover
01:09 Adding fresh manure with straw to the hotbed
02:12 Putting on bits of wood stage by stage, and a metal bar to keep it tight in front
03:00 Making a hotbed using different materials, and the benefits of using straw
04:13 A potential problem, ammonia within the steam
05:35 The importance of packing in as much manure as possible
06:41 Consideration of the work involved in making a hotbed like this - is it worth it?
07:22 Hotbed dimensions
09:17 My experience of making an outdoor hotbed
09:36 Concerns about pyralid in horse manure
10:18 Levelling the hotbed
11:18 Keeping the greenhouse windows open to allow gases to escape
11:49 A look at the hotbed two weeks later
12:27 Damage to seedlings from not having put the plastic back on to protect against the gases - not something to worry about too much!
13:13 A look at the temperature
See these two videos showing the outdoor hotbed I made in 2018:
• Hotbed in the garden f...
• Hotbed part 2, older m...
More on propagation using a hotbed: • Propagation 3 first so...
You can join this channel by paying a monthly fee, to support our work with helping gardeners grow better. We recently sent out over £2000 to different projects around the UK, to help them buy a worthwhile amount of compost. As a member you receive monthly videos made exclusively for you:
/ @charlesdowding1nodig

[@shizzmcgizz8686]

Charles, the amount of new gardeners you have inspired cannot be overstated. We owe you a debt for proliferating the idea of individual, simple, organic, scientific gardening.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks, I'm v happy to help

[@carolewarner101]

I think you meant "Overstated!"

[@peggyhelblingsgardenwhatyo7920]

And this is why Charles Dowding doesn't need to join a gym and is still totally buffed 💪💪 ❤Peggy❤

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😎 !!

[@linaboutin5569]

Always love your videos. Your calm demeanor helps remind me that gardening should be enjoyed and relaxing. (I am sometimes guilty of feeling frustrated). Thanks Charles!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

So nice of you thanks

[@KK-FL]

I watch all your videos even if they don't apply to me. I don't need a hotbed in my situation, but your voice is so calm and soothing in a world that often isnt. Also you never know when you're going to pop in some random advice that DOES apply to me. So, must watch!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

So nice, thankyou and happy to help!

[@kathrynmettelka7216]

I wonder how many generations of our ancestors used a method like this. They didn’t have heat mats and they needed food.

[@lilpipskweek6448]

Its not long ago 1890’s to 1950’s hotbeds were commonly used,both indoor and outdoor beds as Charles showed. The cost of labour dynamic was very different then. Who knows we may return to that in the future

[@johnman559]

​@@lilpipskweek6448 Mmmm !... likely somebody with radiation Burns or TRIFFID attack damage... that kind of scenario maybe? Happy Saturday everyone!😂

[@rubygray7749]

If you look up Jack First, you will find that it is a technique used thousands of years ago by the Romans when the Caesars demanded year-round salads. They built vast hotbeds from the abundant stable manure They even used large sheets of talc as transparent covers to keep the heat in! Then the French used hotbeds like this on a market garden field scale, long ago. Jack First has written a book and made a couple of videos, and now is collaborating with Huw's Garden to make more videos and a how-to online course.

[@kathrynmettelka7216]

@@rubygray7749 You are a resource! Thanks.

[@rubygray7749]

@@kathrynmettelka7216 Thanks! It's a fascinating topic! Also watch DirtPatcHeaven, where she has many videos showing how she grows great productive gardens on top of huge hotbeds inside greenhouses, or outside with plastic covers, during heavy snow. And "The Curious Garďener" who has a program showing how an Alaskan gardener heats her greenhouse with a large central hotbed.

[@chaddamp2894]

Charles by this time tomorrow I'll have finished making my 8 yard X 1.7 yard no dig bed,I could hear you telling me what to do all along the way !

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

How lovely, sounds great

[@spoolsandbobbins]

❤

[@Ed19601]

This really works. I am blessed to have fresh horse manure delivered to my allotment, so no shortage

[@lindacutler8148]

I think my grandson, Oscar, must qualify as your youngest fan. He is 19 months old and lives in France. My daughter recently purchased one of your books and his father was looking through it with Oscar. Your name was pronounced "Dooding"...and now he spends time with the book, saying "Dooding, where are you ?" and then when he sees your picture, he claps his hands and says 'il est là' and laughs excitedly!! If I say, where's Dooding, he rushes to find the book. So your appeal stretches way beyond gardening! Thank you for all you do.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thank you for sharing this Linda you've really made me laugh! I'm delighted to be Dooding and please say hello to Oscar!

[@homegardens7682]

I made a few once. Certainly warmed the tunnel up a bit and was making compost at the same time. Put seed trays on top as well. Could be useful in cold weather.

[@smas3256]

Charles and Adam. That was a great heap of work but you guys had fun. Having nature provide what we need to survive is awesome. I did not know that fresh sticks decompose faster than old dry one. Good to know. Thank you. Looking forward to follow ups with those seedlings on top of the heat, amazing, and tomatoes planted to test that compost. If that's what you meant.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Our pleasure, and see this video for tomato follow-up in 2018 kzbin.info/www/bejne/qqrLpGqVfc90ma8

[@itsmewende]

Charles, I think it's safe to say, for all those people that think having a market garden, would be an easy way to make a dollar, needs to binge watch yrs of your videos. I think having a big garden to help supply my daughters family and I, is enough work for this girl. Hoping you all have a nice week ahead.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Absolutely Wende! thanks

[@David-xh9cw]

Far too many ifs and buts there for the average grower but it's clearly working for you at this scale and this is a great video showing the hard work/potential benefits :)

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks, and that is a large reason for this video, it's not clear cut in terms of advantages

[@jamesrichey]

Living in Texas I don't need a hotbed, but I do use a compost bin. My compost bin is uncovered because we get very little rain for most of the year. But when it does rain it helps stimulate the compost pile. Sometimes I throw garden soil on top of it and grow things.

[@smas3256]

Last fall an avocado plant grew in our compost. If we had a grow light we would have planted it in a pot in the house for the winter. Zone 6b USA.

[@paulgunning690]

I was impressed until I seen the level coming out!!! Gardening is meant to be easy, not all fussy…

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Agree but in this case with daily watering of many seedlings, it's worth going for best result, however the top never is perfectly level

[@robertling9872]

Beautiful hotbed video. Thanks Charles for showing your NoDig adventure.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Cheers Robert

[@tedbastwock3810]

I might not ever do this, but I enjoyed it so much that I have watched it three times now

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😂 great!

[@johnman559]

Thanks Charles you're a legend no toes out, with the Jesus sandals ...... thanks❤

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😂

[@lucrebec727]

Charles just climbing up there! Lol get it Charles.

[@adamredden2007]

I don't see any negatives to this if you're going for self-sufficiency AND you have a supply of manure/ litter. We have cows, chickens, and feed non sprayed hay. Exercise, heat, and compost in the same bag. I've watched several videos on this, and this one really boosts my confidence in it. I'm a subscriber, but i missed this one when you put it out. Thanks Charles!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice to hear Adam. Fresh manure always - or this year in the UK there is a lot of grass and green which can serve for adding heat.

[@TaylorinShirewood]

This is a great presentation style, loved every bit of it!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad you enjoyed it and thanks to Edward filmmaker

[@michaelmcclafferty3346]

Have a look at Jack First’s book on the background to hot beds. Thanks to Charles for a very educational video as always.

[@karinamauritia9466]

Watching this video, I begin to realize how much I do not understand. It is a great challenge. I took a job to save for a small property. I will have to build a tiny home in the center of the garden where I will sit all day and night studying your videos. 😊🍁

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

V good to know Karina, how much you don't know!! Good luck

[@angelmolina2227]

Muchas gracias por todo ese saber que nos brinda... saludos desde Uruguay 🇺🇾

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Encantadora de escuchar y primer comentario!

[@cuznclive2236]

One wire holding you from tumbling down in a pile of manure. Charles Dowding: The "extreme" compost maker! Thank you!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😂

[@sardar5150]

My great-grandmother, born in 1902, did this method. She was an avid gardener, mother of 12 children. My grandfather, child #10, said she used pure horse manure packed down, added warm water, and then topped with rich soil found near tree stumps in in the wooded area on the property. I want to try this method, maybe this year. I do have green material to use, covered up currently with a tarp with 2 ft of snow on top. I miss my grandfather, I would always pick his brain on his mother's gardening methods. She did write about it, I have those writings. She died when I was 5 so have no memory of her.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

This is lovely to hear, and you're absolutely right - there is nothing new under the sun! Your great grandmother son is a marvellous woman.

[@metubewot]

Great info as always Charles.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@spoolsandbobbins]

Very realistic and practical. Thanks Charles. It’s a joy learning from you. I want to try this so much now!! Thanks ♥️

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Wonderful! 💚

[@NannaCarlstedt2]

Thank´s Charles for mentioning the pyralids; causing a lot of worry...

[@oldgold5848]

Charles this is great stuff. The fastest hottest heaps I have made have been a mix of grass clippings from where y chickens have been and freshly chipped hedge clippings. Too hot to put your hand in after a couple of days

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice recipe!

[@debbiewood7718]

That wire makes me nervous. I will use a ratchet strap if I ever get to build one. Good information. I appreciate the tip about isolating the heap to ensure it is not contaminated with herbicide. I have a horse stable near by but who knows what is in the beding and feed.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Debbie, good point :)

[@barrypetejr5655]

Looks great Charles, homemade heat mat and heat for the greenhouse 😊

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

🕺🏼🌱

[@stuartdelamare4072]

I use the same method with the wood filling the skips at work we call them greedy boards 😆 👍🏼🇬🇬

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice 😎

[@ThatBritishHomestead]

i have never seen something like this before, rather cool, i have to look into it! and give it a try.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

You should!

[@CharlieGardening]

I love how hands on you are!! Thank you for showing me how to create a hotbed!

[@josie_posie808]

The hotbed video. Love this, Actually have a local source for manure but no way to haul it without adding to the garden budget. Glad for this straight-talk content.

[@josie_posie808]

PS that part about there being little green around is real. I find myself buying more veggies than we can eat and eyeing the clover and daffodils for the compost pile (jk I wouldb't diss the bees like that).

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks, and I hope you might find a way to get onto your garden!

[@Kittyscraftcorner-ud6ij]

That does look like a lot of work! Think I'll just bring my seedlings in the house!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😂!

[@dragonflyfarm9154]

I absolutely love your videos. You’re a fantastic teacher!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

How lovely and thanks

[@mr.twister7305]

The most rewarding - work in their native land.🌿

[@Garricher5958]

Great Video Charles!!! I'm doing an experiment of creating a small hoop tunnel on top of my compost pile. Poking holes for water and air to infiltrate(modification of Johnson-Su) the pile.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Great idea

[@echognomecal6742]

One of the most useful vids on hotbeds I've seen. Really would like to do this.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Cheers and I hope you can

[@echognomecal6742]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig Thanks...it's part of a dream. We'll see. Enjoy the season 🙂

[@ramthian]

Merry Christmas to you downling 🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤🙏🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

🎄 thanks

[@simplyurbanozee]

Great video. Thank you for sharing.

[@lksf9820]

I like your flat cap 👍

[@jamesodd3896]

It definitely looks like something you’d do for your survival or as a dedicated hobby . I must be good being able to provide heat off grid .

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yes a good feeling!

[@naomi2646]

Thank you Charles, i always enjoy the visit and the information

[@Sweettomatovine]

Definitely a great idea

[@AlmostOrganicDorset]

Short answer.......................... Yes. I built mine this year using pallet collars, extremely stable and very easy to build up the layers.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Great!

[@simkoszintia456]

Dear Charles, Thank you so much for sharing this video! I'm about to build a new little green house (18 m2) for seedlings in which I wanna use only natural heating. Hotbeds sound fantastic, only the releasing ammonia gas I'm a bit scared of because I will not put it just in the corner but all around. Hopefully some covering on the heap and enough ventilation will make it.. All the best!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Best of luck! First five to seven days, ventilate more.

[@simkoszintia456]

Thank you Sir @@CharlesDowding1nodig

[@SagaJohanna]

what a useful video! Thank you so very much!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mojavebohemian814]

Horse manure hot beds are great!

[@lisabevans8107]

Charles, as much as I would love to come see the gardens etc, please be careful.😊

[@appalachianmountainman8126]

Art work in the garden. Beautiful sprouts

[@Bfamreef]

I love watching during the winter even if it is just to see the season change. Living in zone 10 I don't have issues like this but it's always good to learn.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Wow zone 10 :)

[@tinkeringinthailand8147]

Full watch from me Charles. Always a pleasure.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

💚

[@MrEzekiel1982]

Perhaps you could stick some small pipe like objects in the heap that stick out higher than the trays? Something open on each end to encourage the gas to move up quickly and over the plants?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Interesting thought! But the gas comes up from all the surface

[@GardenerGray]

Brilliant video, really does explain everything that's needed and the purpose of a hotbed. Thanks Charles 🙂

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@joanies6778]

Brilliant!

[@Tuinierenopstrobalen]

I have been gardening on strawbales since 2020, it is amazing to use especially second and third year compost❤

[@libraryofpangea7018]

There is a more efficient method, you can pipe in and circulated hot water beds- you run the water through metal coils in your thermophilic compost to heat it up, rather than having it in the green house directly- then you just use straw for insulation. This allows you to heat the surface area of the entire green house evenly and just requires a bit of plumbing knowledge. You can even use gravity to do the pump and circulation or you can use a small solar panel and a pump or battery pump. Once you have it installed the labour is no more than that you're already investing doing your normal composting and some once a month checks on the pipe system for proactive matienance which depending on your design should only take you 20 mins on average. This is a long lasting perennial infastructure that saves you time and labour.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

It sounds like you have a great set up. Thermophilic composting does not happen here until April, by which time it is too late to propagate most of the plants you see here. I do not want to invest in plumbing knowledge and equipment and I'm actually very happy to have some gentle heat in the corner of the greenhouse.

[@libraryofpangea7018]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig I use woodchips free from tree cutting services to be able to thermophilic compost year round ( using Mass to generate heat even in cold temps) , but I understand where you are coming from. Thank you for hearing me out.

[@emylytle7149]

I can’t get any straw here zone 9 😔🤦🏻‍♀️ so I just used wood chip fine shave at the hardware here, then I add paper shredded and dry leaves and cut grass with kitchen scraps 😊👍👩‍🌾 and manure 😊 thanks sir Charles very much appreciated your tips and teaching, you have help so many people 👍👍😊👩‍🌾❤️

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice to hear and that sounds good!

[@svenwerner9554]

I love to see it in action. Working with smaller hotbeds based on chicken manure and hay. And it is just as you say, smaller works too but not for long. Mine are about 1 kubicmeter but are cooling off after about three weeks. I am just afraid of the middle going anaerobic if i build it larger 🤔

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Right on and yes a little anaerobic but we mend that when removing the contents in late May

[@Thegardeningbrewer]

A green material that's produced year round that works great for this is spent brewer's grain. I used spent grain as the nitrogen source to get 2 beds up to 30°C in 3 days in a zone 3 Canadian winter. Just make sure what you're getting is fresh, few things smell as bad as 1000 lbs of wet spent grain left in the sun for 3 days.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks for the info! Sounds dramatic!

[@Thegardeningbrewer]

Glad to help. Spent grain can be a bit dramatic, definitely need to add quite a bit of carbon rich material to it, whether in a hot bed or regular compost pile. Another thing I've been experimenting with is beer trub, which is all the sediment (malt proteins, hops, yeast) that settles out of beer, and is another stream of brewery organic waste. Really high in nitrogen and micronutrients and seems to be working well so far, pH can be quite acidic for some beer styles though (~3.2 for soured beers), so I'll have to see if it affects plant growth or finished compost pH at all.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That is so good. You are closing the loop.! Thanks for sharing

[@partidaportet27]

Have you tried using a natural Saponin to help water the pile, something like yucca extract? Well said about amino p. In horse manure. Perhaps using a humic acid across fields where animals are regularly urinating might help address the conditions that preference thistle

[@Dindoes]

Sir Charles Dowding, It looks like a lot of effort and time to make that. Have you ever thought about getting a couple of solar panels and a battery to power your greenhouse? One time cost of heat mats and a heater all powered by the sun.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Haha I see your point but that is not so eco 😎

[@davewildeboer1254]

Wonderful content Charles. Have you ever tried a hotbed that you plug into an outlet (electrical)? Thinking of needing one for my peppers that I seed in the house.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yes I have Dave, electric heat mat, they work well

[@jenniferrugh189]

Thank you for your wonderful videos and books! What is your source for the watering cans? I am in East Tennessee. Thank you!!!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Jennifer, and mixed outlets, B&Q for example, not sure if they are in the States.

[@C.L.Hinton]

This is just so interesting! Have you done any comparisons with different types of manure at Homeacres? Because I'd have easier access to chicken vs. horse dung. Just curious if that might be worth a try. Thanks so much for another great video and more valuable information!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice to hear and I have not done this with chicken menu, but think it should work, with plenty of straw, even woodchips small and not old

[@nickhammersonrocks]

AS PROFESSIONAL FUTURE ROCK N ROLL LEGENDS WE HAVE DEFINITELY EXPERIENCED OUR SHARE OF HOTBEDS !!!!!! JUST NEVER IN A GREENHOUSE !!!!!!!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Rock on, fame beckons!

[@barbdawdy7698]

Wonderful. Straw is very curious to me in the compost. I know it is considered a brown but when I use it often acts like a green. This is withough horse manure. Have others seen this or comments? Also my grandfather that grew champion roses (had the ribbons to prove it) in the south west of the US. He said alfalfa/lucerne fed horse manure once aged a bit was the best mulch for his roses. Glad you are promoting manures for garden use. My horses also contrubute to my compost. Sad that grazon has ruined so much of this great form of reuse. I test my compost piles by growing squash, bean, and corn (usually the horse and deer eat the corn) on the compost piles before use in fall on my garden. Thanks so much for all your info I always learn so much. Your no dig techniques have really improved my garden

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Barb, lovely to hear. That's a good point about the straw, it does have goodness and I think the cellulose is the brown part. Corn is resistant to grazon, and yes it is such a pity!

[@bhalliwell2191]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig But corn (maize) would be resistant: it's a grass, and the aminopyralid is meant to kill off broad leaf "weeds." No matter how wide the blades of a cornstalk look to us, the plant is nonetheless a grass; that must be the difference? All this reminds me I have to do some testing (with tomatoes, I reckon) that ought to have been done a bit before now, but the weather's likely to continue too cold for transplanting tomatoes out-of-doors for about a month, yet.

[@christinegarden2966]

Thank you for all the wonderful videos! A quick question...is there any concern about spontaneous combustion with hotbeds?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

No, way too much moisture

[@CarrieNita]

Sow a few beans seeds instead of tomatoes. Bean seeds are cheaper, faster to sprout, and faster to react to the herbicide.

[@tedbastwock3810]

Charles, since you are only using it for heat and not growing directly in it, is aminopyralid in the manure a concern? Obviously we would prefer to have non nuked manure for everything, but in some locales that might be more difficult. EDIT: ah I'm too quick to comment, i just get so excited by your videos .. I see you partially addressed this later in the video. p.s. people should be inspired to grow veg the way you do just by noticing your fitness level, you're inspiring in many ways 💪😀

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Ted, I feel blessed to be in good health. And yes I do value the compost itself for using one year later. It's now full of worms and really great stuff.

[@tedbastwock3810]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig That makes sense, using it as a growing medium after using as a hotbed. Thanks for yet another wonderful video!!

[@jackclements8135]

Wonderful video as always, Charles. I only wish I had the space to try out some of these things for myself. I wonder, would a sack or so of cat litter help to absorb the ammonia and rid you of that problem? Just a thought..

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Jack, maybe, it's ok mainly :)

[@ul8590]

This was just the kind of video I needed😀 I have easy access to horse manure and two small greenhouses. I was wondering what you do with the compost comes spring? I was wondering if I could just spread it out in the greenhouse when I’m planting the tomatoes in may? I was thinking that it could be a way to save work, since I would otherwise just make the horse manure compost outside and then bring it into the greenhouse in spring

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That's good to hear and we actually empty the hot bed at the end of May or early June to move it outside where it continues to decompose and becomes lovely compost by November. You could use it for new plants in May, just it will be less decomposed, and that can still work. I urge you to check it first by sowing broad/fava beans even in the quite fresh manure in April, and that's a check for pyralid weedkiller. If beans are good after 4 weeks, no worries

[@ul8590]

​@@CharlesDowding1nodig I didn't expect a reply from you, how nice of you to do it!! Such a good tip with the fava beans. I think I already have grown fava beans (and so much more) in that manure so I think it's safe. It also seems to work quite fine even if it's not decomposed yet. Maybe because it doesn't have much hay in it like I can see yours does. I think I will give it a try in February🙂

[@PPH-GARDEN]

Straw is a source of organic fertilizer and it gives off heat to help keep plants warm. I think so. ❤

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

In a big heap like this, yes!

[@davidwackell1927]

Nicely done. I wonder about putting it all in a hole, easier to dump that trailer and still water bit by bit - save climbing the manure pile? Would the greenhouse benefit the same from the heat generated?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Is a thought, apart from digging the hole :) and heat would be same because it's for the plant trays, not space heating

[@SparksWilly]

Hi Charles, I’m new to your channel and I’m really liking the no toll strategy. ... Do you ever use fertilizer?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I don't Jenna, ever. Thanks and welcome

[@Winter_IsHere]

Bought a batch of CD30 trays. Maybe next time a batch CD15.

[@meminustherandomgooglenumbers]

Good info, thank you. Is it true that these things can catch fire if they’re not kept wet enough?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yes but so rarely! And if quite large too but it would be terrible work by any gardener managing that!

[@meminustherandomgooglenumbers]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig Fascinating! So how often - or maybe more accurately, how seldom - would one need to water a setup such as yours? 🤔

[@hj1218]

I've been on an allotment waiting list since 2020 and finally going to view an allotment today that has a greenhouse! I work at a sanctuary with lots of animals (sheep, horses, goats, cows, hens), just wondering if you can use other manure with this from other grazing animals? And can I use manure that's already rotted down on a muck heap at work to try and avoid the ammonia? I know you said fresh as possible. Thanks

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Horse manure gives most heat, but others give some heat and I would try that. But it must be fresh, not old, and the ammonia problem is not too terrible, I just want people to know about it. After the first week, it stops. Good luck with your new plot!

[@paulwarrilow3427]

Great video, good advice on the ammonia gases, never really thought how they would affect the leaves of seedlings. I am trying a small hotbed in an 8ft x 6ft greenhouse (about 4ft by 2ft hotbed) and it has helped keep the temperature above freezing, but I now need to add more horse manure and I am a little concerned that I may damage the seedlings I have in the greenhouse. Does the ammonia only affect seedlings on the hotbed?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

A good question Paul, and if you don't keep the windows open, those gases can singe leaves of plants elsewhere. The plastic cover I used in week one did reduce emissions, see the photo at 11:59.

[@paulwarrilow3427]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig Thank you for your reply, Charles, I will be adding more muck today and keeping everything open for a while. This is all new to me as it is the first year I have used a greenhouse, lots to learn going forward.

[@GARDENER42]

Does this warm the greenhouse itself to any great extent? I'm wondering whether a hotbed of this size would keep a 20'x10' polytunnel frost free, or at least in the hotbed's immediate surroundings (perhaps curtain off half the tunnel with bubble wrap).

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

It does raise the greenhouse temperature by 1 to 3°C. A poly tunnel would lose more warmth than the glasshouse so you probably would need bubble wrap, but be careful of the gases when the manure is fresh.

[@stewartmk7]

Hi Charles, I am about to start my first no dig bed. I have managed to buy from my local garden centre, 8x80lit bags of old stock (£10) "composted farmyard manure". It's basically a soil conditioner, but will it be too strong to plant onion, carrot, beetroot seedlings and potatoes into it?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That will be fine Stewart, nothing to worry about, and the only time that plant roots might have problems is if that compost was fresh, and you would feel warmth from those sacks

[@Simon-sly]

Fascinating. So, the hotbed purpose is to create compost? Or to warm the greenhouse?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Main purpose is warmth for the seedlings on top of it! Other two are bonuses

[@antemercep8844]

I don't have access to horse manure basically in my whole county, but managed to get hold of loads of sheep, cow and rabbit manure, and on top of that have compost heap from my garden past year and 2 composter full of leaves. Haven't shred them so they are composting slowly. Just one question regarding horse manure, pyralid and testing. You said that you wait for spring and plant tomatoes as test. I was just curious is it possible to plant test potato in straw when heap cool down a bit instead of waiting basically whole growing season?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yes sure, a misunderstanding :) and you can sow broad/fava beans in it or plant potato to discover hopefully poison free, within a month or so

[@idandidnt]

Brilliant.. I was wondering if you put the hot bed in the middle of the green house... (say 2m x .60cm/1m down the middle) would this provide more heat to the overall greenhouse and retain it better. Also heating the ground more rather than being at the door? Then, covering it over in winter with staging /benches for pots and fill up next winter on top of or would it all need replacing and in which case be matured manure to then go on the garden? Thanks!

[@GARDENER42]

I'm thinking of trying it next year (too late for this year) in a 20'x10' polytunnel, even if only to keep part of it frost free.

[@rubygray7749]

Dirtpatcheaven channel has many videos showing how she grows mountains of food doing this, in a very snowy climate I think in Montana.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

It's a thought, but there are pros and cons. It's a lot easier in that corner from having the brick wall as support to 2 of the sides at the bottom. And a heap in the middle would get in the way when we are transplanting tomatoes in May, when there is still another three weeks of heat needed for other transplants

[@HighWealder]

I think that the answer to extra heat may be building Chinese style passive solar greenhouses, although it's a bit late for me.

[@clarelove3738]

I've never been able to get REALLY fresh manure, so I take the freshest that gets delivered to our allotments, I mix it with lots of straw, soaked with urine. Done it like this for 4 years now. This year something has gone wrong. The manure was steaming as I loaded it into the hotbed. 2 weeks later and the whole heap is a cold 10c. 😢

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That is a pity! All I can think is that the manure was perhaps older than usual, and has reached the end of its heat-life. You can add more fresh on top, or grass, to revive the heat.

[@aida8063]

hi there! I made a hotbed according to this video, loving so much so far! Temperature after a week is around 45C just right on top of the heap (isnt it too little though?). My question is, why uncover it and not leave plastic on top? Some people advice to keep it there all the time. I guess it keeps the warmth in but the manure then gets all moldy and stuff? Thank you for answer. Take care!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I'm happy to see your feedback here and well done. I guess you could leave the plastic on all the time, but it does actually get quite smelly underneath from lack of air and it feels healthier for me to not have plastic long term. 45 C is a good temperature. Mine for the past week has been 40 to 43°C and that's working really well. Courgettes germinated and reached full two leaf stage within six days.

[@aida8063]

thank you! Same here, my cucumbers were sky rocket. But after plastic removal the temperature seems to be around 30C. Well, we’ll see.

[@georgespiropoulos4892]

Dear Mr Dowding, should soil from a seed tray be re used after pricking out? Thanks

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

You can. Sometimes a few seeds from the first sow will come up in the second sowing! Not a problem though

[@georgespiropoulos4892]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig many thanks!, watching and learning from you all the way from Sydney, Australia

[@MrMush78]

I find a propagator in a mini greenhouse in a polytunnel works just fine and zero faff or work tbh 👍 and was there any manure in that ? As it looked all straw ?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Exactly right, and yes about a quarter manure

[@nonnington_farm]

It's our first year building our market garden, we have easy access to a lot of alpaca manure. Are all manures equal?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

They're all good, but behave in slightly different ways. I've not used alpaca but many people like it very much.

[@michazpuszczy1034]

Do you think that it would work with the stored in bags manure that were preserved since last year autumn? 🤔

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I think unlikely as they will have been decomposing unless v dry

[@davidnewman9244]

Charles where can i buy the wire you use for hoops crop protection. thanks . i bought your seed modules very sturdy should last for life.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Here, 2.5m length is best, and thanks sharanya.co.uk

[@simoncoe3187]

Would adding coffee grounds boost the nitrogen levels up a bit to help things along?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yes, go for it if you have them

[@seahorsesalt4386]

Could water pipes not be run through an external (covered) heap and faned into glasshouse? Heap could be checked for toxicity insitu? Double handling?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

For sure you could do this, but it would be quite a lot of work and piping, and it would take heat out of the heap. There's only so much heat in there and I want it all for rising up through the seedlings. We test for weedkiller in late spring so at least we know!

[@smas3256]

Great boots Charles. Brand or maker? I have someone in mind that would love them.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

They are good, from here muckbootcompany.co.uk/products/mens-muckster-ii-ankle-all-purpose-lightweight-shoe-bark

[@jasonhatfield4747]

Would a solid layer of dry wood chips (tree mulch) on top help absorb some of the ammonia and prevent that damage?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Maybe!

[@paulwarrilow3427]

I thought I saw someone using a very thin layer of charcoal on top of a hotbed which was to help with the ammonia. I cannot remember where I saw the video but it was on KZbin somewhere when I was researching heating a greenhouse with a hotbed.

[@hands2hearts-seeds2feedamu83]

I really NEED to try this, WOULD something like this in an animal house help keep the animals warm as well ?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yes it would :)

[@hands2hearts-seeds2feedamu83]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig Oh Okay, cool. This giving me an idea for when I build my barn.

[@mettenel]

I made a hotbed using partially decomposed horsemaure from our own horses. The horses has been lying on it since October. It holds a temp of 23C, 20 cm under the surface, and about 8C at the surface. I cover it at night I order to protect the plants, been working fine do far. Don't know how much ammonia I have under these conditions.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That sounds good! You won't have ammonia, because there is too little fresh in there to cause any problem, but also that's why it's not so hot.