[fibilou]

i have inherited a 40s gardening book from my late grandma (you can tell it's old as the man in the pictures is digging in a shirt and tie !).

It has instructions on making a heated frame on a bed of fresh manure and leaves and I am quite intrigued. We have a friend with lots of horses so the manure isn't a problem.

But, the question is, what would we grow in it, and is it worth it ?

[Yorkie]

The Victorians often grew tropical stuff like pineapples or melons in their enclosed heated beds - the stable boys filled the pits with manure regularly!

The Lost Gardens of Heligan grew a pineapple a few years ago and apparently it tasted great (not of manure at all :oops: ).

[GrannieAnnie]

Harry Dodson on the Victorian Kitchen Garden programme grew strawberries in his hot box in the winter!!!!

[Dominic]

I believe they can be used to grow normal crops earlier and then to grow things we cant normaly manage during the summer.