Warm beds: instructions and step-by-step DIY, device

Inhabitants of the northern regions face difficulties in growing crops due to the harsh climate. In spring, the soil warms up quite late, and with the advent of the first autumn days, a significant decrease in temperature is observed. In a short warm period, the arrangement of warm beds helps to grow and harvest a rich crop, which even a novice gardener can make, unlike greenhouses, where time and skills are needed.

Why do we need warm beds

A warm bed consists of several layers of organic waste, which, when overheated, release energy to heat the soil.This method of growing plants allows even in a harsh climate to start sowing seeds or planting seedlings a month earlier and, accordingly, have time to harvest before the onset of cold weather.

It is recommended to equip a warm bed in the fall, when there is enough organic matter on the site - fallen leaves, tops from plants, branches. In this case, before the onset of the first spring days, the remains will overheat and begin to release heat. They are laid to a depth of 50 cm and covered with black plastic wrap on top to speed up the decomposition process. In the spring, after planting seedlings, organic matter will begin to release heat and warm the root system of young seedlings. In addition, in such beds, crops are not afraid of return frosts, cold morning dew and temperature changes during the day.

As a rule, such structures are created by summer residents living in areas with a temperate and harsh climate, where late spring and early autumn. Residents of the southern regions do not need such beds, as plants can die under the influence of excessively high temperatures.

Pros why gardeners equip warm beds on their plots:

• possibility of early sowing seeds and planting seedlings;
• no need for digging;
• increasing crop yields;
• possibility to grow heat-loving plants even in regions with a cold climate;
• full development of crops even in unstable weather with a large number of cool days per season;
• reducing the need for plants in fertilizers, as decomposed organic matter itself feeds the soil;
• increasing the resistance of crops to the effects of pathogens without the use of chemicals;
• prolongation of the fruiting period.

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The beds using organic layers are divided into two types:

1. Deepened. In this case, for the arrangement, the top sod layer is removed and a trench is dug for planting. Several layers of organic matter are laid on its bottom, and fertile soil is poured on top. This option is mainly used by the owners of sites where there is a lack of moisture, and it must be preserved for the full development of plants.
2. Elevated. To create such ridges, a box is constructed in which the soil is above ground level. This method of growing crops is used in those areas where there is a threat of flooding of the site with melt water and rain, as well as in shallow groundwater.

The main types of beds are made in different shapes, and also insulated with a stretched plastic film.

Features & Benefits

Gardeners who made insulated beds on their plots identified a number of advantages of such plant cultivation:

1. The presence of drainage. Organic materials that are used for layering are characterized by their ability to retain moisture and protect the roots of planted plants from excessive exposure to moisture or drought. This function of warm beds is especially relevant in those areas where groundwater is located close to the soil surface.
2. Quick heating of the contents of the ridge. Due to the fact that the layers are created from both small and large organic residues, their decomposition is slow, as a result of which the earth warms up evenly and supplies crop roots with sufficient heat.
3. No weeds. Thanks to the high sides, weed seeds and creeping weeds do not fall on such a bed.
4. Space saving. Proper placement of plants in high beds allows you to free up free space on the site, which can be used to create recreation areas.
5. Easy care and water saving. Crops planted in such ridges are much easier to care for than plants that are in open space. In addition, thanks to this, the irrigation liquid does not go uselessly into the ground, but remains at the root system of crops.

Handmade

Making a warm bed begins with determining the optimal size of the structure and preparing a place for it.

Sizes of a warm bed

As for the length of the ridge, it can be any, this parameter depends on the size of the plot and the availability of free space on it. This parameter varies from 1 to 3 meters.The width is chosen so that it is convenient to take care of the plants from different sides. It is not recommended to place more than 2 rows of crops on a high bed, otherwise you will have to stretch hard when watering or loosening the soil. When choosing the height of the box, they are guided by sizes from 30 to 80 cm; if the gardener does not want to bend over much when caring for crops, then you can make the sides higher. Decide on the size before the onset of spring.

Selection and site preparation

The area for the location of the beds is selected carefully, because the effectiveness of the created structure directly depends on this stage. The site should be illuminated by the sun throughout the day, a place in partial shade is also suitable if you plan to plant plants that do not need a lot of sunlight. The structure is positioned in such a way that it is convenient to approach it from any side.

At the chosen place, remove the upper part of the soil with grass, level the surface and select all debris, weed roots and small pebbles. This is necessary so that the structure stands straight and does not warp.

Warm high beds with your own hands

To make a box for vegetables, you need to prepare boards or other material of the planned size and pegs that will serve as legs. Before use, wood should be impregnated with a water-repellent compound so that it does not become unusable after a year of use.

At the end of summer or the beginning of autumn, the made structure is installed on the prepared site and they begin to fill it in layers.

The more layers you get, the warmer the bed will be:

1. Thin branches left after pruning of trees are laid at the very bottom, it is important that they show no signs of disease.
2. The second layer is plant stems and shredded paper.
3. Followed by sawdust and food waste.
4. Then spread grass cut from the site and leaf litter.
5. Humus and compost are placed at the very top.

It is advisable to spill each layer with water, since organic matter slowly decomposes in a dry state.

The top of the box is covered with black plastic wrap and left in this form until spring, during the winter the organics will overheat and become suitable for planting seedlings.

How to build combined warm beds

To create a combined version, the bottom layer is deepened, and a box is installed on top of it.

How to make deep warm beds

For arranging buried beds, they dig a trench, corresponding in length to the dimensions of the future structure, at least 2 bayonets of a shovel. Small strong branches are laid across the bottom, they will keep the internal space from shifting.Standard organic layers are laid on this material.

Establishment of warm beds in the greenhouse

If the greenhouse is heated, then pipes can be laid under the bottom, through which warm water circulates. In this case, plants can be grown throughout the year. Since there is high humidity in the greenhouse, it is better to use slate or brick as sides, the wood will quickly collapse.

Warm beds in a greenhouse

If the gardener wants to harvest the first crop early, then arcs are installed on the box and the film is pulled, periodically removing it for ventilation.

How to make warm beds out of plastic bottles

Such beds are used in regions where spring comes late, and there is a risk of freezing of the root system of plants.A metal mesh is laid at the bottom of the excavated trench, and plastic bottles with twisted caps are placed on it in rows, sheets of thick cardboard are laid around the sides of the trench.

Specific application

To speed up the process of overheating of organic matter in winter, it is recommended to put black covering material on top of the beds. With the advent of spring, such structures are used for early sowing of seeds and planting seedlings, as well as for growing heat-loving plants.

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