How hot is a hot bed?

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Jim T

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How hot is a hot bed?
« on: May 18, 2007, 21:26 »
Now I've made the hot bed - a la Monty Donn- and am ready to plant sweet potatoes and Melons. the spuds down below and the melons up on a hill.
Trouble is My wife says it may spontaneously conbust :roll:
So I have been doing 24 hour max-min thermometer tests and I have found a range from 16 to 44 C!! :!:
 :shock: I must say I was very shocked ........ was expecting a max of about 30 maybe.
I have checked the thermometer at home in tap water and it seems to be working OK.
How can I convince her that the plot is not going to go up in flames?
Former biochemist, now experimenting and having fun. :-)

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mkhenry

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Re: How hot is a hot bed?
« Reply #1 on: May 18, 2007, 21:38 »
Quote from: "Jim T"
Now I've made the hot bed - a la Monty Donn- and am ready to plant sweet potatoes and Melons. the spuds down below and the melons up on a hill.

I have only used Hot Beds in winter and spring so I do not know a lot about summer use,but at this rate you will not be growing Sweet Potatoes you will Growing Baked Potatoes instead  :shock:
Some poor village is missing its Idiot
plus officially the longest ever occupier of the naughty step.
My Gardening and Growing Hints and Tips

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Jim T

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Re: How hot is a hot bed?
« Reply #2 on: May 18, 2007, 21:49 »
Quote from: "mkhenry"
I have only used Hot Beds in winter and spring so I do not know a lot about summer use,but at this rate you will not be growing Sweet Potatoes you will Growing Baked Potatoes instead  :shock:


 :lol: i'll have to check the thermometer again. which would be worse, baked potatoes or my wife being proved right :?:

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shaun

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How hot is a hot bed?
« Reply #3 on: May 18, 2007, 21:55 »
that black teram will heat it up jim when the sun is on it,try folding the sides up a bit,i think you should be looking at around 30c,
feed the soil not the plants
organicish
you learn gardening by making mistakes

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Jim T

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How hot is a hot bed?
« Reply #4 on: May 18, 2007, 22:39 »
Quote from: "shaun"
that black teram will heat it up jim when the sun is on it,try folding the sides up a bit,i think you should be looking at around 30c,
8)
 8) I'll do that in the morning Shaun and let you know

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Jeanieblue

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How hot is a hot bed?
« Reply #5 on: May 19, 2007, 14:09 »
What's teram?  I was wondering if I could use my big rubble sack, full of fresh manure, as a hot bed next year. Is Monty Don's idea on a website somewhere?
Still glowing, still growing, still going strong!

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Jim T

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How hot is a hot bed?
« Reply #6 on: May 19, 2007, 18:42 »
Quote from: "Jeanieblue"
What's teram?  I was wondering if I could use my big rubble sack, full of fresh manure, as a hot bed next year. Is Monty Don's idea on a website somewhere?

Hi Jeanieblue,
Its nice to be able advise someone at last :D
All it was, Monty showed us adding layers of horse poo, grass cuttings  etc.......... forking em over to a height of 2 feet .or so.....and covering with about 1 foot of soil/compost.
I covered the lot with black Teram (Shaun had told me about ........ it is woven plastic that allows rain through) ---
And that's yer hot bed :D
Good luck, Jim

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Jeanieblue

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How hot is a hot bed?
« Reply #7 on: May 20, 2007, 18:23 »
Sounds great. What sort of teram? There seem to be lots of different types.

 

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