My 2013 hotbed project

Masbustelo · January 23, 2013

I am going to move this to seed starters. I don't like starting seeds indoors, it takes up to much space, all the lighting etc., problems with damping off, and memory's of children filling cribs with plants and dirt during nap time. So I am working on this years hotbed, in a different location and dimensions that last. I made mine 4 feet deep last year which is too deep to reach in safely. So this year it will be 36 inches deep. Also I bought some old screens for $15 that I will cover with two layers of plastic. Last year I used glass windows. Some broke, and I thought they were dangerous. I only dug 2 feet deep last year, and I have gone 30 inches this year. The length is 12 feet. I plan on using a squirrel cage fan for ventilation, and perhaps a small auxiliary heater connected to a thermostat. I found on the "net" a rather simple design for the frame.

Masbustelo · January 23, 2013

This is what I ended up with last spring.

Deborah · January 23, 2013

What's a squirrel cage fan?

Masbustelo · January 23, 2013

Deborah I want to use a fan like this for the exhaust.

Masbustelo · January 23, 2013

I just found these inline fans. They seem a better way to go. $25 on Ebay.

Masbustelo · January 25, 2013

So far with lumber and doors I have $80.00 in the project

Doug9345 · January 25, 2013

Lowes have 4" inline duct fans for $24.97

Masbustelo · January 26, 2013

Thanks Doug I'll definitely check them out at Lowes. If I have roughly 40 square foot of space does anyone know if the four inch will vent enough air to keep the hotbed from overheating?

Masbustelo · January 26, 2013

We have an ice storm and cold weather coming so I thought I should get the super structure done. I put the plastic on both sides of the windows in order to have some insulation to have less heat loss. The plastic cost $17. So I have about one hundred dollars in the project so far.

Masbustelo · February 14, 2013

I rounded up my first load of manure yesterday. I will have to get one more. On February 26th I plan on putting it into action. I am just stockpiling things now.

efisakov · February 14, 2013

M, sounds as an interesting project.
I have few window frames with plastic glass, I am thinking of making miniature temporary green house (2 to 3 feet tall) that I can open up once the temperature is wormer and/or to close it when it gets colder in fall.
I was thinking of growing dill, parsley and scallions that way as long as possible. Did not get around yet.
Thank you for your posts. It is an inspiration for me.

Masbustelo · February 16, 2013

I got a second load of manure today. So it is all covered up and ready to go in about ten days when I need it.

Redbaron · February 16, 2013

I am making a similar thing. Filled in my compost and manure today too!

I have got to get back to working on it soon. But here is a brief description. Instead of a wooden frame like you made, I took the flexible rods from an old broken tent and bent them under tension to make a low tunnel. this will go over the fermenting manure and compost, which is capped with 3 or 4 inches of soil then cardboard and leaf mulch.

Once I am finished with seedlings I will store the low tunnel and plant right into the soil.

Masbustelo · February 16, 2013

Scott Would it be possible for you to post some photos?

Redbaron · February 16, 2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by Masbustelo

Scott Would it be possible for you to post some photos?

I just took a couple pictures with a phone and emailed them to myself. As soon as they come through I will post what I have here. It's not finished yet, but I can update from there in the next couple days.

so far my budget is:

compost and coffee grounds----free
Horse manure----free
old broken tent----free
old left over scrap of viz queen----free
Cardboard----free
braided nylon twine----$1.00
8 brass nails----??? Not sure, bought them long ago, but must be pennies
Duct tape----$5.00

February 14, 2013	#11
efisakov Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: NJ, zone 7 Posts: 3,162	M, sounds as an interesting project. I have few window frames with plastic glass, I am thinking of making miniature temporary green house (2 to 3 feet tall) that I can open up once the temperature is wormer and/or to close it when it gets colder in fall. I was thinking of growing dill, parsley and scallions that way as long as possible. Did not get around yet. Thank you for your posts. It is an inspiration for me. __________________ Ella God comes along and says, "I think I'm going to create THE tomato!”

February 16, 2013	#13
Redbaron Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 4,488	I am making a similar thing. Filled in my compost and manure today too! I have got to get back to working on it soon. But here is a brief description. Instead of a wooden frame like you made, I took the flexible rods from an old broken tent and bent them under tension to make a low tunnel. this will go over the fermenting manure and compost, which is capped with 3 or 4 inches of soil then cardboard and leaf mulch. Once I am finished with seedlings I will store the low tunnel and plant right into the soil. __________________ Scott AKA The Redbaron "Permaculture is a philosophy of working with, rather than against nature; of protracted & thoughtful observation rather than protracted & thoughtless labour; & of looking at plants & animals in all their functions, rather than treating any area as a single-product system." Bill Mollison co-founder of permaculture

January 23, 2013	#3
Deborah Riding The Crazy Train Again Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: San Marcos, California Posts: 2,562	What's a squirrel cage fan?

January 25, 2013	#7
Doug9345 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Durhamville,NY Posts: 2,706	Lowes have 4" inline duct fans for $24.97

January 26, 2013	#8
Masbustelo Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Illinois Posts: 97	Thanks Doug I'll definitely check them out at Lowes. If I have roughly 40 square foot of space does anyone know if the four inch will vent enough air to keep the hotbed from overheating?