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I have been reading about propagation & cold frames/hot beds online for a bit now. I know I need tons of stuff to fill this yard so I thought I would build a couple hot beds until I can build a proper green house.
Step 1 - Tools needed: shovel, rake & a strong back.
I had dug the pit to sink them in two weeks ago. Don't be a Dinkus like I was and do it when it is 80 some degrees out. Maybe that is comfortable for some of you but I die when it gets over 69.
I picked a spot facing south & where it will get some protection from the north winds. also, I will be burying it in the ground 13 inches.
I started digging a big hole. I was sweating like a pig & had to keep going in to get cooled down. The sun was blazing right on me. I should have put it off till after sundown but I wanted to get it done. I kept thinking it was a shallow grave for my Mother in law. That's the only thing that kept me going. No, just kidding. I don't have a Mother in law, It's a personal joke for a friend of mine.
:}
Step 2: Tools needed:
Figure out the amount of treated lumber for the size you are going to make it. Both deck planking, 3/4 ply & 2 X 4 corner post.
Chop saw.
Screw gun/deck screws,
3/4 Foil backed insulation.
Caulking gun & Waterproof caulk for all seams.
Waterproof Glue.
I will be constructing two separate beds. The beds are going to be 4 X 8 O.D.
I started by cutting all my wood. Front, back, sides including sloped side panels & corner posts.
I made the backs 34 inch's high & the fronts 17 inch's. The side panels are 4 ft.
I flipped them over, caulked all seams & glued foil faced insulation to cover the inside and double as an insulator and light reflector.
Step 3: Putting it together. Tools needed:
More deck screws.
Coffee/Cigs.
BFH.
I screwed the 4 ft lower side panels on both sides in place to hold the thing together while I worked. The boards you see it sitting on are just there for something to sit on other than sand while I work on them.
Next comes the sloped side members out of 3/4 in. ply that will complete the frame.
So far so good. I just have to finish insulating the side panels and caulk all outside seams and the frames will be complete.
I have double pane storefront windows slightly larger than these beds to cover them with.
I will be laying 5 inch's of gravel in the grave for drainage, covered with matting to stop the sand from filtering into the gravel. On top of that will be 3 inch's of beach sand with my heating coils above that. Then I will lay 2 inch's of beach sand above the heat coils for dispersing the heat evenly. On top of that will be a wire mesh so I don't whack the heat cable digging around. Finally the top layer will be 6 inch's of a nice soil mix with my remote bulb for my controllable thermostat.
I haven't thought about it much but will start researching a way to rig a mister inside this thing.
Also I was thinking on putting those vents with the thermo coils that open at a certain temperature. I don't know. I don't want to spend too much time on these beds as they are temporary.
Stay tuned for the completion of my first cold frame/hot bed project.
As usual, if you see something I'm doing wrong or is a recipe for failure please post a comment.
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