New to growing your own tomatoes? This is the forum to learn the successful techniques used by seasoned tomato growers. Questions are welcome, too.
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#16 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: NW Wisconsin
Posts: 910
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I know that manure is the traditional way to heat the hot bed/cold frame, but my question is how long does the manure maintain the heat? This would definitely be the most cost effective source of heat because I am sure I can get a truckload from someone nearby for free.
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Mike |
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#17 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 2,591
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It seemed to do fine for the whole spring season for me. I don't remember exactly how long we needed it for but I think about 6 weeks or more. It was over 20 years ago so I'm not too sure any more.
It has to be rather fresh stuff tho, not aged like you would use for compost. But what is in the cold frame this spring would be aged for next fall or whenever. It must have worked OK for me as I know we did it for more than just 1 year. Carol |
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#18 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: PNW
Posts: 4,743
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This document has hot-bed instructions under "Starting the Tomato
Plant". (Some of the advice in here is a bit out-dated, disease control, etc, but not this part.)
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#19 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: NW Wisconsin
Posts: 910
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Hey Dice, I don't see any link.
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Mike |
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#20 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: PNW
Posts: 4,743
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Oh yes, the link:
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/p...er_tomato.html Sounds like it lasts all spring.
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#21 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: NW Wisconsin
Posts: 910
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Thanks Dice,
If I can secure some manure, I think I will try this. I like doing things "Old School". ![]()
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Mike |
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#22 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posts: 42
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Wow....great article!!
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#23 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: PNW
Posts: 4,743
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Someone once described their method on GW. They dug a hole 3' deep
and put in alternate layers of straw and fresh horse manure. Here is a picture of their cold frame: http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...otbed05029.jpg (I assume that they cover the ends at night, and those are just open because the sun is shining on it.)
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#24 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: NW Wisconsin
Posts: 910
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Ok. So I am getting ready to construct my cold frame/hot box and I am having reservations about the shower doors I was planning on using. They are the perfect size, are made to with stand wet conditions, are pretty light, but they have that wavy, frosty glass in them. Do you think they will allow enough sunlight in if they aren't clear glass?
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Mike |
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#25 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: NW Wisconsin
Posts: 910
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I think I answered my own question. I was looking at designs an saw many commercial ones with frosted glass. And then I thought about the opaque plastic on hoop houses. I think it will work fine.
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Mike |
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