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Post by gardendmpls on Apr 21, 2020 7:28:18 GMT -5
pepperhead212, binnylou,In earlier times, people used hot beds, which are cold frames heated by a mix of manure and straw. Found basic directions here: extensionpublications.unl.edu/assets/pdf/g1718.pdfDon't know how long the heat would last. They do mention people today using electric heating cables, instead of manure, but I wouldn't- have enough trouble with heated waterers in the chicken coop. Thinking of trying this next winter to see how it would go.
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Post by tom 🕊 on Apr 21, 2020 8:24:20 GMT -5
In earlier times, people used hot beds, which are cold frames heated by a mix of manure and straw. A Ukrainian acquaintance had a source of free manure and built a hot bed. It overheated and killed what he had planted in it, but it then produced a large crop of huge white mushrooms. He gave me several pounds of his mushrooms. |
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Post by nathan125 on Apr 26, 2020 1:15:10 GMT -5
I add quite a bit of rotting wood logs to my beds before I fill.. if they have added benefits...awesome. I do it mostly for fill volume.
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Post by binnylou on May 18, 2020 12:29:59 GMT -5
emmsmommy...you might enjoy reading this thread on raised beds.
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Post by emmsmommy on May 18, 2020 17:00:00 GMT -5
binnylou, thank you! My raised beds are built out of 2 x 6 pine. My first two are three years old and are still holding up. The ones I built this year are also of 2 x 6 pine but it was salvaged. I placed a layer of cardboard and damp newspaper under each bed and on my earlier beds used a combination of top soil, and rotted manure. On the beds I've made this year I scrounged on the edge of our woods and gathered up well rotted tree limbs. I then sifted this and used the finer stuff in my beds along with some topsoil and manure I had left from previous years. I am using the larger chunks of rotted wood in the bottom of some large containers to cut down on the amount of soil needed. My husband has been using the chipper as he cuts brush and we have a pretty good size pile of fresh chips that I can't use on this year's garden. So since our chipper also has a vacuum attachment, he shredded leaves which I've been using to mulch the beds. My thoughts on the pine is that when it breaks down, I'll probably not replace it, instead I'll just keep the soil mounded and continue to use the bed. I'm also working on getting some compost ready. I cleaned my raspberry patch, cleared out some multiflora rose and ran all the trimmings and some chestnut burrs through the chipper too. The multiflora rose had leaves when we cut it down, so that added green to my pile and with the addition of comfrey leaves and grass clippings, it is breaking down. I may not have useable compost for a few more months, but I should be able to add a layer to my garden beds for next season.
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Post by binnylou on May 18, 2020 17:08:53 GMT -5
emmsmommy, for when the pine raised beds start to break down, think about building another frame just a bit bigger that you can use as a surround for the current bed. Just slip it over the pine surround. That way, you don't have to disturb your soil. I'm not sure if you would need or want to remove the rotting pine wood. Somebody will have a thought on this...don't go away.
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Post by meatburner on May 18, 2020 17:39:27 GMT -5
binnylou, that is exactly what I did with one bed. Worked great. It was the only bed I used untreated pine board but still lasted probably 6 years. I did use treated wood this time.
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Post by binnylou on May 18, 2020 19:00:19 GMT -5
meatburner,had you posted about that? I read it somewhere...didn't think that one up by myself 
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Post by meatburner on May 18, 2020 19:08:53 GMT -5
binnylou, I don't recall posting about that but may have at some point. It is good point that you don't have to disturb the existing soil and I see no issue with letting the existing pine boards continue to break down. I subscribe to the BTE. no till, gardening method so that just adds more decomposed matter to my beds. Just me.
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Post by desertwoman on May 18, 2020 19:37:12 GMT -5
My pine boards raised bed's 10 years old now! and they aren't going anywhere anytime soon. I used 2"x12" boards. But then, I was reminded early in this thread that I don't live where there is a lot of rain and moisture. Advantages of living in the desert!
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Post by meatburner on May 18, 2020 19:42:23 GMT -5
Hi desertwoman, the climate makes a big difference. We have an annual rainfall of about 45 inches and last year and this year is about 10 inches above normal. Another good reason for posters to put there zone and climate information for others to see. I actually wish forums would make that mandatory to join.
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Post by emmsmommy on May 21, 2020 7:32:01 GMT -5
binnylou, meatburner, thank you! It never dawned on me to just slip another frame over the old one. I'll probably only get a year or two out of one of the "new" beds as the salvaged boards I used for it are still solid but are showing some signs of decay. Still, a year or two at no cost but the time spent to cut and nail together is better than no bed at all. I'm still a bit surprised by the people who view raised beds as hobby gardens instead of "real" gardening. I was talking to one of our friends on the phone last week who was just talking about planting his garden, potatoes in particular. I mentioned that my first bed of potatoes were over a foot tall and could hear the skepticism in his voice. I explained that I had spent the past few weeks babying that bed, constantly covering and uncovering against frost and late snow. Once he realized I was planting in beds, his reply was "Oh, you're just planting a few to much on. I grow several rows that last me all winter." While I'm sure with three beds and some scattered elsewhere, I'm likely not going to produce enough to last all winter, though I fully intend to do so next year. I thought about telling him that the only maintenance I will do on my beds will consist of mulching, pulling an occasional weed, removing potato bugs and harvesting, but I kept quiet.
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Post by gardendmpls on May 21, 2020 9:03:26 GMT -5
When the framing of the garden beds rotted out, replaced it with bricks, salvaged or bought on sale. Did it bit by bit. Although I don't need raised beds where I am now, I like the edging as the mower runs right down with wheels on the bricks, not disturbing the plants. Also good as demarcation for the grandkids of where they can step and where they can't.
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