Warm beds

It is not so difficult to equip warm beds, this technology is very often used in gardening and horticulture. It is used either in the fall or in the spring. Moreover, it is equally well suited for both greenhouses and open ground. This device is based on the release of heat from the compost. Therefore, the crop usually appears on such beds earlier, and the crops bear fruit more abundantly. You will not need to wait too long to enjoy a cucumber or tomato. Currently, there are many options for the construction of warm beds, in this article we will introduce you to the main ways of arranging warm beds, and also tell you about how to build them yourself, where to arrange, and what to make of. How to make a warm bed will be discussed in the article.

How to make a warm bed: a general characteristic

Warm beds generate heat by decomposing organic plant residues, thereby heating the root system of various crops. Therefore, in spring, the temperature in warm beds will be higher, which means that moisture will not evaporate intensively. Through the decomposition of organic matter, nutrients are also formed, therefore, in addition to the heat itself, you will also supply the beds with fertilizers.

Moreover, it should be said that organic matter decomposes for a long time, so there will be no need to feed vegetables throughout the season. Additionally, it will be possible to apply only mineral fertilizers to the soil. Warm beds are arranged in such a way that dissimilar organic matter is laid in layers. Moreover, usually the coarsest remains are placed on the bottom, for example, tree branches, wood.

This arrangement ensures uniform heating of the soil. The lowest layer is considered fuel, which opens up air to the garden bed. Then you will need to lay out smaller layers of plant residues, for example, dry grass, paper, newspapers. Before placing each next layer, you need to water the previous one abundantly. This is done so that the layers do not dry out. However, this environment should be free of rot, as well as signs of disease, as warm beds must be healthy.

How to make warm beds with your own hands. Different types of beds

High warm beds

Currently, there are four main types of warm beds.

High warm beds

If in one area or another groundwater occurs near the surface of the earth, then it is best to design high beds. They will not be harmed by any spring flooding. But if you have a lack of moisture in your garden, then the soil will need to be deepened. This is done so that the beds do not have to be watered too often.

Cultivate the land plot as tightly as possible so as not to lose the cherished square meters, as well as so that different vegetable crops please you at different times. Warm beds will need to be watered frequently. After all, microorganisms begin their work on processing organic matter only in a humidified environment. Remember this, the first type of warm beds is tall.

As you can imagine from the name, they are located quite high above the surface of the earth. Moreover, they rise above the soil by about 50 cm. The upper part of the soil should be removed, then a drainage layer of sand and gravel should be laid on the bottom. After that, it is advisable to enclose the garden with a wooden box pre-soaked with some kind of antiseptic.After that, you will need to lay out a rough organic layer. For this, gardeners use tree branches, rough wood, etc.

The second layer should consist of smaller organic residues, for example, from plant tops. The third layer should be the shallowest, it usually decomposes in one season. This layer is formed from humus and foliage. Remember to tamp down the layers and water abundantly as you fill up the garden. At the very top, you will need to fill in fertile soil, and the layer should be at least 20 cm.

Hill

The next type of warm beds is a bed - Hill. As you understood, in its shape the garden bed will resemble a kind of pyramid. Layers are also laid out, alternating and abundantly moisturizing. You should not block this warm bed, its edges are simply rounded. Thus, you will form an embankment, the height of the pyramid reaches one meter. Such a structure of a warm bed is convenient because the bed is very compact, so the useful area of ​​your site will be increased.

The first layer is buried about thirty cm, coarse organic matter, for example, branches or wood, is lowered there. Next, the tops of the plants are laid, then foliage or humus, and at the end - straw and nutritious soil.

Recessed warm beds

The next subtype is buried bed. It is the opposite of tall trenches, so if the soil in your area warms up long enough after wintering, this is a great way to arrange warm beds. Also, moisture is retained in such a buried bed, so it will not be necessary to water the crops growing in such an area so often. Moreover, such a bed serves for about 8 years.

It is usually dug out on two bayonets of a shovel, it is recommended to fill the bottom with sand, and then lay a layer of biofuel. In order to prevent the warm bed from freezing, it is sometimes recommended to lay a closed plastic container on the bottom. After that, the bed will need to be filled with the same layers as for the previous species.

And the last type of these constructions is combined garden bed. When the groundwater on the site is shallow enough, you can combine the device of the garden. A trench is dug in early spring, a drainage layer is laid on the bottom, and then a box is installed, and one part of the box must be in the ground, and the other must rise above the soil surface.

The combined bed should be filled with the same organic matter as the previous types of warm beds. Remember to water each new layer and tamp thoroughly. Moreover, the uppermost layer should reach the edge of the sides of the box. However, the advantages of this type of beds include the fact that it will need to be watered less often.

How to make a warm bed correctly

Many gardeners and gardeners build their own beds. Moreover, they can be equipped anywhere, even if the soil is infertile on your site, then there will always be a bountiful harvest on warm beds. Moreover, these very structures can be built from scrap materials, with your own hands.

This process is not very laborious, and you will not need to take care of the plantings so intensively. It will be enough for you to follow the simple rules of agricultural technology, as well as grow your favorite vegetable crops in the beds, as you are used to.

When and where is it done

You can build a warm garden bed both in spring and autumn. Seasonality usually plays a small role in this process, the only difference is in the composition of the material of the upper layer of the bed. Therefore, if you build beds in the fall, then you will need to lay leaves, small twigs, and other small organic matter upstairs.

It is best to build a structure after harvesting, when the organic matter has not yet had time to decompose, so the material will definitely be enough for you. If you are going to make a warm bed in the spring, then you need to use rotted organic fertilizers for this, for example, compost or manure.Do not forget that at the top you will definitely need to lay your own fertile soil, so the land will need to be prepared in advance.

The next question that worries many gardeners and gardeners is where it is best to build a warm garden bed. Hope you right away, this technology is perfectly used in northern latitudes, as well as climatic zones with unfavorable weather conditions. The fact is that warm beds are precisely aimed at artificially improving the climate, so God himself ordered to grow vegetables in such structures in the north.

However, do not forget that the illumination on the site should still be good, so it is best to have warm beds in sunny areas. If we talk about the southern regions of our country, then, in principle, it makes no sense to build warm beds there, since in summer in these latitudes it is already very hot and sunny, so the plants do not need additional heat.

How to make a warm bed and from what

You can fill warm beds with a wide variety of organic matter, and you do not need to buy materials for this. For the first layer, rather dense organic residues are often used, for example, wood, old rags, thick paper, and so on. However, it is not recommended to lay large tree trunks, since ants are often found in them.

If we talk about the next layers, then we note that it is best to send a variety of tops, fallen leaves, peat, various waste, cleaning and more there. However, remember that families should not be on these plant debris, as they may germinate. If you are laying down the roots of the plants, it is best to chop them up first so that they do not start growing again.

Boxes for warm beds can be built from any available means. If you will be equipping the garden for a long time, then you can even use concrete. It is even often recommended to lay a metal mesh on the bottom, this is done by experienced gardeners so that mice do not start inside, so this will protect your warm beds from pests.

Keep plant debris healthy, free from rot or other obvious defects. Make done, and what is best to plant in such a design. Typically, the average lifespan of warm beds is about four years. The maximum heat transfer occurs in the first year; over time, the garden will give less and less heat and nutrition, therefore it is at the first time that the most heat-loving vegetables, for example, cucumbers, zucchini or carrots, should be planted.

In the second year, you can plant tomatoes, in the third - pepper, the same cucumbers, carrots or the same tomatoes, in the last year of the operation of the garden it is best to plant either greens or legumes there.

Tips for gardeners on how to make a warm garden

If speak about disadvantages application of this technology, it should be pointed out the need for frequent moistening of the soil, as well as labor costs during construction. However, materials can always be found in your yard, in your personal plot, and it is easy and simple to care for warm beds.

It is not necessary to weed the rows; it is also not necessary to loosen the soil. You also don't have to feed vegetables, but harvesting in the fall will become much easier. Another indisputable plus is the fact that you can build a warm bed even on an area with infertile soil.

The crops will certainly bear fruit well, because there will always be an abundance of organic matter in the garden, at least for the first four years. If you keep a warm bed in the fall, then in the spring you can plant crops on it about a month earlier than you usually do, by planting plants in open ground.

Autumn beds differ, as you understand, only in the amount of consumable material.It is necessary to dig trenches deep enough, and the top layer of the earth is removed at the same time, blocking the structure with bumpers. Large branches, well-chopped tree trunks are suitable for the drainage layer. Sometimes a metal mesh is laid on the bottom in order to protect the structure from rodents. After that, you will need to lay down fine organic matter, tamp each layer well and pour plenty of water.

If you put fresh tops on the garden bed, then it is recommended to pre-treat it with potassium permanganate so that the green parts of the plants do not rot. But it is undesirable to lay potato or tomato residues, as well as other parts of nightshade crops on warm beds, since they do not decompose for a long time, which means they will not release the necessary heat and nutrition for a long time. The topmost layer will definitely need to be mixed with the ground, and also cover the bed with straw or film, until spring, so that the process of decomposition of organic matter begins faster.

Warm beds in the world

Very often, gardeners build warm beds in the spring. It is recommended to do this when the snow melts. Layers are laid in the same way as in the fall, however, instead of fresh organic matter, it is advisable to take rotted organic matter from above, you can fill it up with compost. However, it will need to be pre-mixed with fertile soil or earth. Do not forget to water the garden bed with warm water, and then compact the ground well and cover the structure with a film.

But you can plant vegetables only in May, so it is advisable to take care of the construction of the structure in the fall.

Sometimes warm beds are arranged even in a greenhouse. Therefore, the seedlings can be safely planted in April, frosts will not be terrible for her. Usually, combined warm beds are built for these purposes, since the area near the greenhouse is usually small. And the trench should be dug approximately 40 cm deep. The layers are laid in the same way as for autumn and spring beds.

After laying all the layers, you will need to cover the structure with foil for a couple of weeks. After that, the process of decomposition of organic matter will begin, which means that the seedlings can be planted.

As you understand, it is easy and simple to build a warm bed on your site. Therefore, be sure to try this way of growing a wide variety of crops early. And you will definitely delight yourself with fresh vegetables and herbs, at least a month earlier.