Comments on: Making a Hotbed in my Polytunnel http://sustainablesmallholding.org/making-hotbed-polytunnel/ Permaculture, and Sustainable practices on a Lincolnshire Smallholding Sat, 15 Mar 2014 06:34:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.8.1 By: Deano Martin http://sustainablesmallholding.org/making-hotbed-polytunnel/#comment-22308 Tue, 25 Feb 2014 19:00:53 +0000 http://sustainablesmallholding.org/?p=4124#comment-22308 Hi Jack
It could be any of the above. The temperature in the hotbed has stayed steady at 21 c, so I’m going to plant into it this week. Most of the plants going into it are not unduly tender, and I can afford to lose a few French Beans if the temperatures plummet.
Thanks for taking the time to comment and help
Deano

]]>
By: jack first http://sustainablesmallholding.org/making-hotbed-polytunnel/#comment-22287 Fri, 14 Feb 2014 09:16:41 +0000 http://sustainablesmallholding.org/?p=4124#comment-22287 Hi Deano, Could be a few reasons. Was the manure dry, just check moisture content. Add water if very dry. Could be too compact, needs to be firm not rammed down so that air can penetrate. Was this old manure. Nitrogen is soon lost if not stacked in the first place. Some times the lower temperatures if maintained are more useful than the higher temperatures which can burn out too soon.
Regards Jack.

]]>
By: Deano Martin http://sustainablesmallholding.org/making-hotbed-polytunnel/#comment-22285 Fri, 14 Feb 2014 00:04:55 +0000 http://sustainablesmallholding.org/?p=4124#comment-22285 Thanks Jack
I’ll still put a few in, but to see how they are affected. The bed is not heating up properly, maintaining a steady temperature of 20. I’m guessing that there isn’t enough straw.
Many thanks
DEano

]]>
By: jack first http://sustainablesmallholding.org/making-hotbed-polytunnel/#comment-22284 Thu, 13 Feb 2014 20:09:55 +0000 http://sustainablesmallholding.org/?p=4124#comment-22284 Hi Deano,
At the beginning of January I made a Hot bed covering one half of my poly tunnel sowing carrots spinach salads etc. On the other half are caulis and spring cabbage growing from a September sowing. Some are in pots but most are in the ground. The outer leaves have turned white and can only assume that this is due to the presence of ammonia. All other crops are fine. I have since replanted these outside with protection where they are now fine. One constantly learns, this is the first time brassicas in contact near hot bed.

]]>
By: Deano Martin http://sustainablesmallholding.org/making-hotbed-polytunnel/#comment-22283 Thu, 13 Feb 2014 18:36:54 +0000 http://sustainablesmallholding.org/?p=4124#comment-22283 Hi Jack
You’re welcome. I saw one of your courses advertised next month, but sadly I’m not free.
Can you elaborate on the brassica problem? It would be useful to know.
All of the best
Deano

]]>