Well the frame is up and covered. Now it’s time to turn it into a greenhouse. One of the first things I needed after the benches was a place to start my seeds. I have explained my hot beds earlier and had a request for a picture. Remember this is a working greenhouse not a clean greenhouse,please overlook the dirt and grime.
Hot Bed With Mouse Guard
The screen on the above hot bed is to keep the mice out of my seeds and fresh sprouts. These are dinner and dessert to the mice.
The construction of these beds requires a 10′ of 2x4s the same amount of 1x3s some screen for the mice some sand to distribute the heat a couple pieces of plastic and a crooked stick to hold the lid up as shown in the above picture. These beds are 24×48 inches. There is a piece of plywood laying on the bench with a piece of plastic over it. I then lay down the grow mat and cover with another piece of poly over it. Then set the frame on top of these and pull the edges of the plastic up into the frame. Then dump a bag of sand into the frame and level it out about an inch or so deep. I’ve found that the sand helps spread the heat,especially when it’s a little damp.
Notice the goal posts frame over the bed on the top picture. This frame supports another piece of plastic that covers the whole works. This acts as a tent and keeps the moisture inside to help get the seeds and cuttings started.
This bed has some hardy fuchsia starts a few starts of Hoya and some cuttings of Australian Bush Mint. (find some of the mint, grow it, rub it, enjoy it).
Happy Planting
