Hotbeds – an old way to raise new plants

Using the warmth of decomposing manure to encourage germination and strong early growth of seeds and seedlings, in late winter and early spring mainly. Filmed, edited by Edward Dowding.

[michelepaccione]

I've often wondered why I've never seen anyone using compost to heat a greenhouse, and here we are! Excellent. May try this next month. Thanks for your videos.

[TheAdhdGardener]

Yeesss ive been thinking how the heck i can heat my greenhouse to start some seedlings..youre awesome💯🌻

[monkeyboy]

Thank you for this quick simple video. Answered many of my questions and helped me find the gardening method I've been looking for. For your wealth of knowledge and expertise and willingness to share with the world I applaud you!

[stephaniemarie]

Thank you for these videos. They are so helpful and pleasant to watch. Really a balm right now with everything happening in the world. Thank you.

[sweetvuvuzela]

Many many thanks cannot express how much I have learnt from watching your videos and reading the Facebook group and your website it’s a shame I cannot come to one your classes as I work too many hours what spare time I get is spent shopping house keeping gardening making wonderful compost. I tried this hot bed idea outside this spring and wow the tomatoes have grown almost 7 foot high I have had issues supporting them even with bamboo canes. But then I watched Charles’s video on how to string them only if I had seen that before my tomatoes stems would be intact. Anyway you live and learn. Have been collecting coffee grinds from petrol stations cafes etc. Waitrose Morrison all give it away for anyone wanting it. I used to throw away grass clippings now I am growing it for compost😁. Before mowing was a chore now I am looking at it in a totally different manner. (2019)

[chrisfry]

The outdoor version with compost, sounds like a good choice for me. Hope to see more videos soon!

[gardenandme]

I love watching all your videos, so inspiring. And Thank you for sharing it with us

[LindaPenney]

Awesome update thank you for sharing have a blessed day

[zerodeconduite]

I really like how you are willing to experiment with different video angles. So far, I have enjoyed the video where you opened up with cooking and there was another where you were shown washing veg for market. I am not sure why, but I like to think it shows the work and love that goes into this gardening style. I also, slightly think - you were taking into consideration your videographer's suggestions? ... you should do that more often ... they, obviously love you 🤗 plus it helps them.

[gudgengrebe]

Thrilled to find your channel. Just found some land to rent, where I can at last have my own garden and grow veg, fruit and flowers. I also have a source for horse manure and will start from scratch making beds on an uncultivated field this autumn and I intend to plant next April. Your site has been a great encouragement, especially using muck and the no dig method.

I like your calm, clear, informative presentation style - and Edward's filming is perfect.

I appreciate your experimentation over the years. So many people just trot out the same old wives tales. Yours is a great channel. Thank you very much to both of you.

[mariasotero]

Excellent, no need to keep it inside for heating !! Thank you

[nickhammersonrocks]

GREAT COMPOST IS HIGHLY ADDICTIVE BUT GREAT FOR YOUR BACK

[tinahart]

Lovely to see a new video from you Charles, you are such an inspiration I will try this next year. My Kale is still doing well, love the new logo - it looks great : ))

[susancaulton]

Have made a hot bed and it’s 20c already after a week! Thankyou

[organicgardenmamavictoriab]

Amazing. I'm planning for this coming winter to build a hot bed.

[nickhammersonrocks]

WE'VE HAD ARE FIRST HEAT WAVE IN OUR COMPOST WE CELEBRATED BY MAKING MORE COMPOST

[rdkitchengarden]

great idea. When I get my act together I must give this a go.

[nickhammersonrocks]

MAKING PERFECT COMPOST ISN'T HARD IT'S JUST A LIFESTYLE

[chrismorrall]

Hello Charles. This year we have invested in a polytunnel and to get off to an early start I made a hot bed from mown grass as per this video (it's just starting to grow here in the Auvergne region of France). We sowed chilies, onions, rocket, lettuce plus a number of others. We still have had minus temps at night and wanted to keep the heat in overnight especially as we have a number of chilies in there so I placed some plastic panels over the hot bed at night leaving a couple of strips clear to allow some ventilation. Unfortunately, a lot of plants after germination started to wither and die. We think this might be due to ammonia gasses given off from the compost (it's been at thermophilic temps - 50-60C) and trapped in the covered hot bed at night. We have removed a number of germinated plants with half withered leaves to see if we can revive some. Have you seen this before? I am now leaving the cover off from now as it's warming up a bit to see if it this has been the cause.

[catlover]

i need to find a way of getting fresh manure around here!