Cold frame vs. Hoop house - Page 2

Mudman · January 29, 2012

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.

Wi-sunflower · January 30, 2012

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

dice · February 3, 2012

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.)

Mudman · February 4, 2012

Hey Dice, I don't see any link.

dice · February 4, 2012

Oh yes, the link:
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/p...er_tomato.html

Sounds like it lasts all spring.

Mudman · February 6, 2012

Thanks Dice,
If I can secure some manure, I think I will try this. I like doing things "Old School".

Marymcp · February 6, 2012

Wow....great article!!

dice · February 6, 2012

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.)

Mudman · February 20, 2012

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?

Mudman · February 20, 2012

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.

January 29, 2012	#16
Mudman Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: NW Wisconsin Posts: 910	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. __________________ Mike

February 3, 2012	#18
dice Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: PNW Posts: 4,743	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.) __________________ -- alias

February 4, 2012	#19
Mudman Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: NW Wisconsin Posts: 910	Hey Dice, I don't see any link. __________________ Mike

February 4, 2012	#20
dice Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: PNW Posts: 4,743	Oh yes, the link: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/p...er_tomato.html Sounds like it lasts all spring. __________________ -- alias

February 6, 2012	#21
Mudman Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: NW Wisconsin Posts: 910	Thanks Dice, If I can secure some manure, I think I will try this. I like doing things "Old School". __________________ Mike

January 30, 2012	#17
Wi-sunflower Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,591	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

February 6, 2012	#22
Marymcp Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 42	Wow....great article!!

February 20, 2012	#24
Mudman Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: NW Wisconsin Posts: 910	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? __________________ Mike