Hot Box

[Glasshousevirgin]

I am very attracted to the idea that was proposed in the last issue where stable manure is used in a hot box to keep the green house warm during its decomposition. Mainly as it is cheaper and more Enviromentally friendly than heating and also produces some compost for next season.
Has anyone actually tried it?

[Nicos]

No- but I thought it was only ok in small ,covered areas only for enough heat to be generated????
I have considered this in the past for Xmas strawberries as the Victorians used to do.
An interesting thread!!!

And welcome to the Vine!!!

[Glasshousevirgin]

My greenhouse is a 10 x 6 footer am I expecting too much then? Maybe even to take the chill off. I will try it and feedback anyhow.

[Glasshousevirgin]

I see some mention by Terrier in another thread ( heating g/houses) uses old compost bags filled with manure in a version of this but the smell does concern me lol.

[Snadger]

Hello glasshousevirgin

As has been said, the Victorians used the hotbox method to good effect. From what I have seen the Victorians used glasshouses which were bricked up to about 3 foot high. This in itself would give a little bit of insulation. If yours is a modern greenhouse it will probably be glass to ground which is not heat efficiewnt! If you just want to keep the frost off you could try insulating with big bubblewrap.

One of the problems with the hotbox would be condensation and sulphurus fumes.(you would need to keep a vent open at all times) I would imagine you would also have to change the manure, or at least stir it up, three or four times during the Winter period. It would need to be at least 3 foot wide and probably preferably 4 foot with a brick or breezeblock sides to allow the heat to slowly percolate into the greenhouse.
Another alternative would be to have a hotbox down each side instead of in the middle, easily achievable with the Victorian design.

It would be an interesting project but I wonder whether OH would be impressed with you coming home each evening smelling like a dung beetle?

[terrier]

Come on now! Equipoo smells lovely. It's only the stuff from carnivores that stinks. Put it in bags under pots or growbags for some early heat in the greenhouse, it should get those early seeds of to a good start. Now that I've got oodles of the stuff, I'm impatient to get my greenhouse back (eventualy) so I can try it. BTW, if you do try it, make sure there's lots of straw in it for extra heat.

[Snadger]

Come on now! Equipoo smells lovely. It's only the stuff from carnivores that stinks. Put it in bags under pots or growbags for some early heat in the greenhouse, it should get those early seeds of to a good start. Now that I've got oodles of the stuff, I'm impatient to get my greenhouse back (eventualy) so I can try it. BTW, if you do try it, make sure there's lots of straw in it for extra heat.

Funny that, must be something the matter with me nose cos the stuff I got stinks!
I think if it comes from stable or a byre it has wee in it which gives it the sulphorus smell!

Each to there own though terrier, a bit of eu-de-cowsh*t for you then as a crimbo pressie???

[terrier]

Funny that, must be something the matter with me nose cos the stuff I got stinks!
I think if it comes from stable or a byre it has wee in it which gives it the sulphorus smell!

Each to there own though terrier, a bit of eu-de-cowsh*t for you then as a crimbo pressie???

Eu-de-Equine only, please. After a few days, the 'sulphorus smell' disappears and the odour is quite acceptable (as the pig got up and slowly walked away!)

[Glasshousevirgin]

Eeeuuw too pong perhaps but then at least OH knows where I been hey.
Thanks for feed back and I will see how I go when set up.
BTW just a normal green house as u surmised Mr Snadger so a few good sized piles of manure plus straw seems to be the go.

[Glasshousevirgin]

So far no real success with a small recycling box horse poo and some straw layers. Have not been well enough for turning it over but no apparent heat to touch outside of box so far. However I have had some frost tender plants on a tray on top and they are ok (also have bubble wrap and fleece over them plus whole GH is lined with bubble wrap but still drops to 0C at times).
Thanks for all your input guys - maybe fresher poo would be required or more of it?
Happy New Year to all!

[Snadger]

So far no real success with a small recycling box horse poo and some straw layers. Have not been well enough for turning it over but no apparent heat to touch outside of box so far. However I have had some frost tender plants on a tray on top and they are ok (also have bubble wrap and fleece over them plus whole GH is lined with bubble wrap but still drops to 0C at times).
Thanks for all your input guys - maybe fresher poo would be required or more of it?
Happy New Year to all!

You probably need to do what my parents did with the shires that pulled the drays.........run behind with a shovel and a bucket. I would imagine one good steaming shire cr*p would be enough to heat anything up!

[Glasshousevirgin]

probably right but time and horses missing to date lol

[Seahorse]

This is something I'm hoping to do in eventually, once my lottie is properly established. I hope you don't give up on it GHV - I'd love to hear any future reports!

[Glasshousevirgin]

Currently have chucked it all out and will reconsider when some fresh dung available. From what I could see there had been no decomposition of straw or dung and just a little mould in the box.

[Snadger]

Currently have chucked it all out and will reconsider when some fresh dung available. From what I could see there had been no decomposition of straw or dung and just a little mould in the box.

Sorry to hear that GHV! I was looking forward to you telling us of your greengouse grown tropical date palms and pineapples!

Ah well, back to the drawing board, I assume!