Gardening: Cold frame with natural heating

 A layer of manure in the cold frame works like a natural heating system and is one of the proven methods to start the new year of cultivation as early as possible.

MSG/Cabin Dubb A thick layer of manure brings the cold frame to temperature. Foliage or straw heaped up around the bed additionally insulates

a cold frame is basically a small greenhouse: Sunlight enters through the glass, 

plastic or foil cover and the heat generated remains inside the cold frame. 

As a result, the temperatures here are milder than in the surrounding area, 

so that you can start the new garden season as early as the end of winter.

The cold frame of earlier gardening days was a forcing bed. 

Fresh horse dung was used as natural heating, 

because rotting horse dung generates heat. 

In the forcing bed, this effect is used to additionally raise 

the temperatures in the soil and thus accelerate germination and growth of the plants. 

This heats not only the soil but also the air in the hotbed by up to ten degrees Celsius. 

This is what warmth-loving early vegetables such as kohlrabi, celery or fennel like best. 

With an electric, if desired thermostatically controlled underfloor heating cable in the cold frame, 

it is much more comfortable today, 

even if it requires a considerable amount of energy. 

Those who prefer a natural heating system in the cold frame 

can also use cow dung instead of horse dung: The heating effect is however somewhat smaller. 

An alternative with higher "heating power" is a mixture of plenty of leaves, 

garden and kitchen waste and some horn meal.

Flora Press/Otmar Diez From February onwards, you can sow heat-loving vegetables such as radishes or celery in the cold frame or forcing bed

Create cold frame with natural heating

If possible already in autumn, 

a 40 to 60 centimeter deep hollow is dug in the cold frame. 

It is lined with leaves or straw for better insulation. 

Already in mid-February, 

strawy, not too wet horse dung can be filled in as a heat pack; a layer of leaves is added on top. 

After three days, the pack is well treaded down and finally covered with a 20 centimeter thick layer of garden soil. 

After another three days of waiting time, sowing and planting can begin. 

Before sowing or planting, 

you should air the cold frame generously so that the released ammonia can escape. 

A pack of cow dung is processed in the same way. 

However, because of the lower heat output, 

do not use it until the end of February; in frosty conditions, wait until March. 

The compost pack needs two weeks to provide heat for decomposition. 

It can be spread from the middle of February.

Whether with or without the pack, in any case the cold frame should be 

additionally protected from frost with a thick layer of leaves on the side walls. 

In cold nights it is also covered with straw mats or bubble wrap.