Turning a pile of Woodchip into a Hotbed

[veggiechicken]

The seeds germinated but it was the wrong time of year to expect much growth - and I was right not to!
The woodchip cooled down and has shrunk to about a third its original height. The buckets are still in place and I've picked some radish and carrots from them. I'm growing parsnips in them at present

[MyWifesBrassicas]

The seeds germinated but it was the wrong time of year to expect much growth - and I was right not to!
The woodchip cooled down and has shrunk to about a third its original height. The buckets are still in place and I've picked some radish and carrots from them. I'm growing parsnips in them at present

Has the wood chip now broken down into a usable compost?
Just out of interest, how long did it stay warm for?

[veggiechicken]

That was a year ago - I have no idea how long it stayed warm.
It still looks like woodchips on the surface and I'm not going to dig into it as its surrounding the buckets.
Once you get to know me better you'll realise that I don't do things "properly" .

[MyWifesBrassicas]

Inspired by VC's woodchip hotbed, I've spent a few days copying the idea, Its fairly large at approx 5 ton. I'ts taken me a while to barrow it all in and it's near enough done.
The majority of the content is ramial wood without leaf and I'ts a mixture of softwood and hardwood, so I reckon the C-N ratio is about 300-1.
I can obtain small amounts of fresh manure in the back of the car as I've no trailer and I've not enough chicken manure to accommodate enough nitrogen.
So, I've decided to go inorganic and use a substitute to feed bacteria and fungi.
the potential choices are a commercial fertiliser from the agricultural centre, typically ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulphate and Urea.
Anybody tried this?
Any thoughts would be gratefully welcome?

[veggiechicken]

This may be the first time I've inspired someone copy one of my nutty ideas. I'm impressed.
Hope it works for you. Because I'm a simple soul and know nothing about chemicals, could you just pee on the woodchip?

[veggiechicken]

Are you going to grow stuff on top of the heap, or in it?

[MyWifesBrassicas]

Not sure I can produce enough pee to keep it going, I am using it though. Not too sure I can convince anyone else in my house to pee in a bucket

[MyWifesBrassicas]

Are you going to grow stuff on top of the heap, or in it?

It depends how hot it gets or maintain at.
On one of the pictures, you can see some blue tubs that I'm going to use. When the pile is hot, the tubs will rest on top of the chips and as it cools, I'll put them a little deeper

[Snadger]

This may be the first time I've inspired someone copy one of my nutty ideas. I'm impressed.
Hope it works for you. Because I'm a simple soul and know nothing about chemicals, could you just pee on the woodchip?

I remember a thread from years ago devoted to the merits of pee-ing on stuff. It has to be male pee apparently.

[MyWifesBrassicas]

I remember a thread from years ago devoted to the merits of pee-ing on stuff. It has to be male pee apparently.

I wonder why that's the case?
They both must surely contain nitrogen?

[veggiechicken]

I remember a thread from years ago devoted to the merits of pee-ing on stuff. It has to be male pee apparently.

For one thing, its easier for you boys!

[SarrissUK]

My pee feels discriminated against! LOL

[MyWifesBrassicas]

I remember a thread from years ago devoted to the merits of pee-ing on stuff. It has to be male pee apparently.

Allegedly "Male urine is better than female urine because it is slightly less acidic."


https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ear...nal-Trust.html

[veggiechicken]

Male urine is also better for deterring foxes from your garden - the first pee of the day being the strongest smelling and therefore the best to use as a deterrent.
So first thing in the morning, don't rush into the loo, rush down the garden instead.

[MyWifesBrassicas]

Male urine is also better for deterring foxes from your garden - the first pee of the day being the strongest smelling and therefore the best to use as a deterrent.
So first thing in the morning, don't rush into the loo, rush down the garden instead.

I think my first pee of the day would deter more than foxes