How to harness horse manure for a winter greenhouse heat source
In short: Charles Dowding demonstrates how to build a hotbed using fresh horse manure to generate heat for seedlings during the coldest months. This method provides a consistent, aerobic heat source for propagation when traditional green matter is scarce.
A hotbed is essentially a rapidly decomposing compost heap designed to provide warmth for seedlings. Dowding emphasizes using fresh horse manure mixed with straw bedding, noting that horses digest fiber less efficiently than cows, which results in a nitrogen-rich, aerobic mixture. The straw is critical for maintaining structure and extending the duration of the heat output, whereas alternatives like woodchip tend to heat much more slowly.
Based on a decade of experience at Homeacres in Somerset, UK, Dowding suggests a minimum area of 1.2 square meters (4 square feet) to ensure sufficient heat for propagation from late February through mid-May. To maintain temperatures, the bed requires fresh material additions approximately every three weeks. The process is a practical solution for gardeners needing to start seeds before the spring thaw.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: A hotbed how-to for propagation undercover, pros and cons
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