Do-it-yourself warm beds: principle of operation, types (high, recessed, combined) + phased production

The principle of a warm bed

Compost heaps are familiar to everyone who has been to the village. To simplify, a warm bed is an organized compost heap that has some of the benefits of a greenhouse, and which you can do yourself. Heterogeneous organic matter is placed in a large frame in layers. It has a different period of decomposition, due to which the culture receives nutrition and warmth in the garden throughout the entire growth period.

But the manufacture of beds should be carried out strictly according to a proven principle. Otherwise, mold and an unpleasant odor may appear. There is a risk of reproduction of pathogens of various diseases.

To prevent mistakes will help compliance with the basic rules:

1. The base should consist of large, rough-textured, long-rotting waste that will perform a drainage function and provide adequate air exchange. You can use branches, stems of large plants, wood trimmings. The main thing is that the layer should be loose, about 40 cm high.
2. Raw materials in the garden should always be moderately moist. The soil in such a “smart” garden should always remain moist and not dry out.
3. Filling the beds should consist only of the waste of healthy plants that have not been affected by pests and diseases.

The optimal components of the trench can be such layers (from the bottom to the top): parts of the bulk material (hemp, large branches, etc.), paper layer (newspapers, old damaged books, cardboard), parts of shrubs, chopped shoots, foliage, compost and earth.

A warm bed allows you to protect the plant from freezing of the soil, so you can plant and harvest crops much earlier or later (from 2 to 3 weeks). The plant in such beds can withstand the first and return frosts, with temperatures down to -5 ° C. Plants and fruits grow and develop healthier and stronger, and the degree of productivity increases.

The type of soil and the depth of groundwater are practically irrelevant – the crop is protected by drainage layers and receives top dressing from organic matter.

Types of warm beds

The main thing in organizing a warm bed is to follow the principle, and you can choose any form. You need to focus on the features of the area where the garden will be located, and on climatic conditions.

High

This variety is great for areas with excess moisture: flooding in the spring, a large amount of precipitation. The manufacture of such an option begins with the selection of a suitable material for the frame box. It can be wood (larch), brick, stone and metal. Size – from half a meter high, a meter and a little more wide. In the greenhouse, the width is made two times smaller.

The box-frame is filled with soil and organic matter and abundantly moistened. In the spring, the structure is covered with a film to speed up the course of biological processes. For the winter, cover with a dark film so that weeds do not germinate.

Buried

This option is a dug ditch, from which the turf and earth are removed and organic matter is filled up. The top level of the bed may be flush with the ground or rise slightly. Here, the composition of the soil plays a role in the choice of the first layer: with clay soil, coarse sand is poured to the bottom, with peat – sawdust.

Combined

The combined version is a complex of the two previous types. But at the same time, the ditch digs shallow and the height of the sides of the box is halved.

Organics attract rodents, so you should take care of the protective layer, which you need to lay out the perimeter of the beds. To do this, it is recommended to use a fine-mesh metal mesh.

Bed-hill

A kind of high bed, which allows you to save on the frame (it is simply not used), and the sowing soil is twice as large as the base. Organic components are laid out simply on the soil, giving them the shape of a long but narrow hill, the edges of which are rounded.

Advantages and disadvantages

Agrotechnical measures must be carried out regardless of the type of garden, the question is their frequency. And although such beds need more frequent watering, you can save time and energy on top dressing. Also, the disadvantages include the physical labor that will be needed in the construction of structures. But this is also relative for those who like to be the boss. But the material costs of the box and other details should be taken into account.

But the advantages of such beds, of course, are greater:

• top dressing is not required, which allows you to get an environmentally friendly product and save on the purchase of fertilizers;
• simplified care scheme;
• there is practically no need to use fungicides and insecticides to treat plants;
• after pruning, incorrectly growing or excess plant growth can be used;
• protection of plants from temperature extremes and excess moisture;
• mulch regulates air exchange and slows down the process of moisture evaporation;
• controlling the growth of weeds;
• you can convert the garden bed into a greenhouse or greenhouse.

Video “Advantages and disadvantages of high beds”

This video talks about the features of growing cultivated plants in warm beds.

Where and when is it better to make warm beds

The principle of operation of the beds allows you to arrange them both outdoors and in the greenhouse. But at the same time, you need to take care of lighting for at least 6 hours a day. Also, experienced gardeners are advised to arrange the beds from north to south.

Planting beds can be done in autumn and spring. In favor of spring time – the activation of biological processes. In autumn – more free time and organic residues after harvest.

Independent production of a warm bed

Gardeners willingly share their experience and nuances of making and arranging such mini-gardens. The step-by-step instruction consists of a number of mandatory steps.

Preparatory work

This stage includes all organizational moments. You need to think about what you are going to plant, and decide on the number of beds. Then you need to choose a well-lit area, and preferably not sunshine, but scattered sunlight. Also, the site must be protected from drafts and strong gusts of wind. Next, you need to take care of the material for the structure and its filling.

Proper laying of organic layers

Above, we listed the optimal laying option and the composition of the organic layers. But he is quite difficult. Therefore, they are often limited to this scheme:

1. The bottom is large wood. Moreover, the larger the part of the wood, the longer the bed will last. These can be stumps, branch cuttings, etc.
2. Small organics: plant stems, shrub shoots, straw, leaves, grass, paper.
3. growth stimulator. For this layer, manure or compost is used, which is covered with garden turf, located with the roots up.

The device of a temporary warm bed

Temporary beds are used for growing seedlings. They are equipped in a recessed type. However, the trench is not digging that deep. Such a ditch is filled with organic matter, which has the ability to quickly rot or compost. After the organic matter is covered with soil and mulched. For the winter, you can sow with winter green manure.

The device of a permanent warm bed

A permanent warm bed is built according to the classical principle in one of three options: high, recessed or combined.

High beds are most often equipped on infertile soils, and trench beds are like a mini-greenhouse.

What to plant in a warm garden

The planting pattern depends on the composting processes. Therefore, it is important to know not only what to put, but also when:

1. The first year is the maximum level of saturation with nutrients and intense heat release. You can plant cucumbers, zucchini, pumpkins.
2. The second year – there is still a lot of food and warmth. You can continue to plant cucumbers and zucchini, as well as tomatoes and cabbage.
3. Accumulating nitrate crops are not recommended to be planted in the first years.
4. The third year – there are still enough stocks for tomatoes, peppers, beans. You can start planting potatoes and beets.
5. Fourth year – without top dressing, only greens and peas can be grown.

Tips from experienced gardeners

Experienced gardeners do not advise throwing away the soil from a warm bed when it has served its purpose: after 5–7 years it will turn into ordinary fertile soil that can be used in the garden. Also, you should not skimp on the material for arranging the beds and carefully check the components for infection with diseases or pests.

If you enjoy working in the garden and have the opportunity to spend a certain amount on a future positive result, we advise you to definitely try the technology we describe. After all, you will not find a better adviser than your own experience.