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Turning a pile of Woodchip into a Hotbed

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  • #1

    Turning a pile of Woodchip into a Hotbed

    I only intended to barrow some woodchip from the pile to spread on a path and ended up with a woodchip hotbed

    The chippings were so hot that it would have been a waste not to use that heat. Barrowing it into the GH wasn't an option but encircling the heap with some old chicken wire was!
    Once again the old trampoline frame proved its worth as the fence could be attached to it.
    I've sunk 18 buckets of sand/compost mix, that had been prepared ready for carrots and parsnips, into the woodchips. Two of the buckets already have parsnips, the rest I'll plant with spuds and carrots and who knows what.

    I'll let you know if this experiment was worthwhile in a few months time. If it doesn't work, I'll still have a bin of composted woodchips.

    Click image for larger version Name: IMG_20171011_110113.jpg Views: 1 Size: 530.5 KB ID: 2405448

    Click image for larger version Name: IMG_20171011_110014.jpg Views: 1 Size: 565.2 KB ID: 2405449
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  • #2
    I think you're doing the right thing, maybe sprinkle grass cuttings on top or in amongst it to keep the balance of green/brown better and generate more rapid heat.
    I am familier with people doing this in greenhouses with raw animal muck and the Victorians did similar in deep cold frames as hot beds for winter crops. One thing to keep in mind is that size is important....at least three feet deep/wide/high as the centre of the heap is where it's at. Once the temp falls (say after 6-7 weeks) turn the pile so the spent energy gets put to the oustide and the outside gets put to form the new centre and start activating.

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    • #3
      Thanks ESB.
      I know there's a right way to do this - but, of course, I'm not doing that!!
      This heap won't be added to or turned. I'm planting into buckets of soil so that, when the heat diminishes or the weather turns wintery I can lift the buckets out and put them in the GH.
      I'm hoping that next year, I'll be able to grow squashes in it.

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      • #4
        Could you tell me if it is a mix of trees i.e. oak, and ash etc. that they came from or all the same type, the reason I ask is that I came across a reference in an old book once where it said that if you mixed the type of leaves it rotted down quicker, I know leaf mould is not the same type of composting as a vegetable mix, the bins of shredded wood that I have have a bit of heat in them but I thought that was due to the green material
        it may be a struggle to reach the top, but once your over the hill your problems start.

        Member of the Nutters Club but I think I am just there to make up the numbers

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        • #5
          Its ash, rary, as I had an ash tree cut down. The thin branches and foliage were shredded into this heap.
          The long branches will be used to edge beds and the rest logged for the fire.
          The tree was cut down last Thursday and the chippings are red hot in the middle now.

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          • #6
            Originally posted by veggiechicken View Post
            Its ash, rary, as I had an ash tree cut down. The thin branches and foliage were shredded into this heap.
            The long branches will be used to edge beds and the rest logged for the fire.
            The tree was cut down last Thursday and the chippings are red hot in the middle now.

            in that case it's fairly well mixed with wood and green leaves wo will be warm for a few weeks as it is. You can later lift out the pots, give it a stir with some fresh green stuff and replace the pots for a second free heated pile. But that will require some shovelling!!!

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            • #7
              That ok she's good at that
              it may be a struggle to reach the top, but once your over the hill your problems start.

              Member of the Nutters Club but I think I am just there to make up the numbers

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              • #8
                Using my trusty jam thermometer, plunging the probe into the soil 5-6", the temperatures were:-

                Garden soil - 13.9C
                Buckets sunk in woodchip - 42.3C
                Woodchip - 54.2C

                That's hot

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                • #9
                  Well done, with temperatures like that you should be able to grow a number of different veg.
                  it may be a struggle to reach the top, but once your over the hill your problems start.

                  Member of the Nutters Club but I think I am just there to make up the numbers

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                  • #10
                    Your parsnips will come up ready roasted
                    Location - Leicestershire - Chisit-land
                    Endless wonder.

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                    • #11
                      ^^^ I thought that when I put some chitting taties in some buckets today - jacket potatoes on the menu in a couple of weeks. I've sow some seeds in the buckets too - hoping they'll stand more chance than the spuds!

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                      • #12
                        Radish seeds sown on the 12th had germinated by the 14th and beetroot by the 15th

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                        • #13
                          How is your hot bed going VC?
                          it may be a struggle to reach the top, but once your over the hill your problems start.

                          Member of the Nutters Club but I think I am just there to make up the numbers

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                          • #14
                            Most of the seeds have germinated - radish, beetroot, carrots, kohlrabi, broccoletti - only no-show is the turnips but they were old seed.
                            There were lots of little flies over it when it was hot, so I kept away. Haven't tested the temperature but the soil in the buckets doesn't feel warm now. Its too wet to go down there now.

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                            • #15
                              hi VC,

                              How did your wood chip hotbed turn out?
                              sigpic

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