Build a hotbed for seedlings

Begin your bed by digging down two to three feet. Add about four to five inches of gravel to help with airflow and drainage. Then add between nine- fourteen inches of fresh manure combined with about seven - twelve percent straw. Yes use gloves in the mixing process and wash up well afterwards. Once the manure is in your pit take a few moments and tap down and level the manure. You should also moisten the manure once it is tapped into place.

After the water has absorbed add just a touch more then place three to four inches of good weed freee soil mixture. We suggest using the Grow Box mixture described on our How to make grow bed soil lens. One example of the mixture is 40% sand 30% sawdust (except black walnut) and 30% ground up pine needles. The beauty of the grow box mixture is you can us a variety of percentages and mixtures.

You should open the top on days with mild and hot temperature it is also to provide good ventilation.

As the days get longer and warmer you will have to water more frequently. We use the Mittleider "Weekly Feed" at the rate of two Tsp. per gallon for your watering mixture. This will provide the nutrients the plants need while they are growing. Important not do NOT use the Constant feed mixture mentioned above until AFTER the seedlings have sprouted. We wait till the first set of leave open up. Lastly, when watering make sure you water the roots not the leaves. Wet leaves tend to attract bugs and disease.