Hot boxes

[bravo2zero]

I am seriously consiering ditching parrafin heaters for traditional hot box methods of protecting tender plants and seedlings during the early season propagation period. I have a plentiful supply of fresh horse manure and pigeon droppings coupled with a growing supply of chicken coup straw litter as fuel to produce the heat. The next stage is the design and construction of the boxes themselves. Something modular is looking the favorite as the box can be lowered as the heap slumps. Any ideas and advice would be gratefully received. Watching the victorian kitchen garden on uk tv gardens has put onto this and it seems a no brainer?

[tootles]

I am planning the same sort of thing this spring too. Mine (I think) will be either large plastic storage tubs (180L) with seed trays on top, or a large brick built edifice. I have been warned that condensation may be a problem though. Will watch this thread for other/better ideas though.

[bobleponge]

I think its the Heligan gardens in Cornwall that grow pineapples in UK using exactly that method.
I believe its simply brick built trenches full of fresh manure, but I'm sure the internet can give you a virtual tour of the place.

[DaveC]

I am very interested in knowing more about hot boxes, I would like to try it with only manure if possible.

Any ideas how much I would need for a 6x8 greenhouse? I am using a parafin heater for my first winter and my first greenhouse. Temperatures are going to drop here tonight so I will be trying it out

Dave

[Snadger]

Theoretically it's a way of getting something for nowt ..........which I'm very keen on, but...........................So much depends on getting manure straight from the cow's/horses backside, getting the temperature right by addding enough topsoil, keeping humidity down whilst using steaming tat, changing or adding manure to keep temeperature constant, coming home smelling like a sewerage works each day............and these are just the forseable problems, there's bound to be loads more!
The Victorians were very innovative and were masters of invention, but the Hall they were based at usually had their own stables, and milking parlour, labour was cheap so they had a multitude of helpers working long hours, they had to keep the Master happy with exotic veg grown out of season and they were skilled proffessionals.

Methinks I've just made an argument for giving it a go?...........

Good luck and let us know how you get on!

[bravo2zero]

experimenting

I have just topped up one of my compost bins with the usual end of year material mixed in with 2 large bags of dry pigeon poo, put a transparent lid on it and placed a max min thermometer in there so here goes. I visit my plot twice a day to feed and water the chickens and ferrets giving me the perfect chance to record temps and longevity.

[Snadger]

I have just topped up one of my compost bins with the usual end of year material mixed in with 2 large bags of dry pigeon poo, put a transparent lid on it and placed a max min thermometer in there so here goes. I visit my plot twice a day to feed and water the chickens and ferrets giving me the perfect chance to record temps and longevity.

Well,................ what temp have you got now, two days in?

[bravo2zero]

Got 25 degrees at night and 34 in the day. it is unventilated, easily remedied now its just a question of how long it lasts. i think imay need 2 to overlap the cooling period so it can be turnedto reactivate it, at the minute it is looking very promising. next step is the design.

[Hilary B]

John Seymour described the system. The alternative that would work in a dryer climate would be a variant on the 'traub wall'(spelling??), whereby something bulky, like a heap of bricks, painted black, absorbs solar heat all day and emits it at night. Should keep the frost at bay.

[Snadger]

Got 25 degrees at night and 34 in the day. it is unventilated, easily remedied now its just a question of how long it lasts. i think imay need 2 to overlap the cooling period so it can be turnedto reactivate it, at the minute it is looking very promising. next step is the design.

Keep shoveling Bravo!Lol

[bravo2zero]

6 days in, i think.

my last update today was sent from work in a rush. heres more detailed temps. day one was recorded at 4degrees, by day 3 the bin was up to 34 during the day and 25 at night during the recent frosts. due to the bin being totally sealed there has been a little condensation inside. i have just knocked of work and been down to tend livestock and recorded a daytime temp of 40.1 degrees wow (the weather is warmer) i have moved the thermometer to the side of the bin and stood it up as the heat has warped its back.thoughts so far are that i will need ventilation and plant pots must not be in direct contact with heat source like the thermometer.

[Winged one]

I know that I saw the Strawbridges (? It's not easy being Green family) do something before for a greenhouse which involved styrofoam airbox underneath the path (a heat sump?) which collected warm air by day and released it by night.

On this, I am not the best as I don't actually have any greenhouse, but I just remember seeing it before and thought it might be a useful alternative method to consider if you're serious about cheap/free heat sources. Might be worth a google anyway.

[tootles]

What size is your box??
(looking good so far though)

[bravo2zero]

Box size is 44"x44". its the size of the planks of timber i scrounge from work,eight days in and the temps are remaining stable, albeit half as hot which is due to me standing the thermometer on its end at the edge of the bin instead of on its back in the middle.

[bravo2zero]

Hot box update.

Two weeks in now and temps have stabilised to between 7/10 degrees at night and 10/19 daytime. it was turned over 3 days ago after a noticable drop and quickly rose back. i put some strawberry runners in the box and killed them. this was when the box was roaring hot, it was probably the heat that killed them but stench of ammonia is still worrying me maybe the fumes killed them? its not so bad now it has settled but its still a nag.