How to Make a Warm Bed for Cucumbers: Types and Instructions

Cucumbers can be grown ahead of the time specified by the growers in the description, not only in a greenhouse or hotbed, but also in the open ground. The processes that occur during organic decomposition allow for a good harvest without the expense of constructing a frame structure. Gardeners create simple types of heated beds themselves. And photos of finished structures help to understand all the intricacies of their construction and design.

Warm bed for cucumbers

Since cucumbers are a heat-loving crop, active growth begins when nighttime temperatures drop below 15°C. In temperate climates, favorable growing conditions begin in mid-June. To ensure early ripening, farmers place the plants in greenhouses and hotbeds. This allows them to regulate both the air and soil temperature. With a well-designed heating system, the first fruits, once they reach technical maturity, can be harvested even in early spring.

However, the use of permanent structures is not always justified due to their high cost or difficulty of manufacture. In this case, a heated garden bed is created in the garden. The idea is to artificially heat the fertile soil in which the plants are grown. The heat is generated by biochemical processes occurring within the organic material at the bottom of the bed.

Advantages and disadvantages

To encourage cucumbers to bear fruit earlier, they need to be provided with optimal temperature conditions. Using a heated bed accelerates plant growth and protects young shoots from spring frosts. Other benefits include:

• increased productivity;
• the possibility of using organic waste;
• good drainage – water does not accumulate on the soil surface;
• high rate of soil heating;
• simplicity and economy.

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Besides that, layer of humus The use of compost creates a natural barrier against weeds and pests. The idea of ​​recycling plant waste is quite appealing: gardens accumulate large amounts of grass clippings and leaves that need to be removed. Using them to heat the garden bed eliminates the waste and creates the necessary conditions for growing cucumbers. Disadvantages include:

• frequent watering (due to the layered structure, the top layer of soil dries out quickly);
• the need to apply mineral fertilizers once every two years.

Operating principle

As the name suggests, the bed should be warm, but no heating devices are installed. The soil temperature rises due to complex physical and biochemical reactions, which are facilitated by bacteria. Initially, heat is released slowly. This is due to the compost "maturing," when the bacteria change and multiply. Once the process stabilizes, the soil temperature becomes constant.

Compost is a mixture of leaves and small branches. When added correctly, the bed will last up to eight years. An incorrect composition, on the other hand, will hinder the decomposition process. This is because green matter is not only a source of nitrogen. As it decomposes, it also releases ammonia. Excess ammonia can kill bacteria, completely halting decomposition.

Branches in compost are a source of carbon. Reacting with hydrogen, it forms marsh gas—methane. To ensure a prolonged reaction, 25% of the compost bed is green material, with the remainder consisting of branches and brushwood. When the "fuel" for the bacteria runs out, the compost bed begins to cool. It is then dismantled and replaced in the same spot or placed elsewhere.

When to make a garden bed

Gardeners consider autumn to be the optimal time to set up a cucumber garden. By this time, the harvest has been gathered, and there's time to thoroughly prepare for the next season. Furthermore, after cleaning up the garden and surrounding area, plant waste remains. This will have time to rot before planting. By spring, the soil will be well-fertilized and ready for cucumbers.

If you missed the opportunity to create a mound in the fall, you can do it in the spring. The main rule is to lay the warming layer at least one month before planting. Furthermore, due to time constraints, quickly decomposing materials are used. Even if the soil doesn't have time to absorb nutrients, it will still be warm enough for use.

Collection of material

To create a heated garden bed, the components are prepared in advance. Simply throwing a pile of green plant matter mixed with branches isn't enough. Layering the materials allows for a neater workflow. This technique also increases the longevity of the bed. Layers are placed in the following order:

1. Branches, chopped logs.
2. Green mass (leaves, fruits, young shoots).
3. Manure or humus.
4. Fertile soil.

The bottom layer is drainage. Chopped branches are used for this. In addition to draining excess moisture, the wood absorbs it and releases it back into the soil during dry periods. By making the layer 10-15 cm high, the intervals between waterings can be extended by half. Plant remains are placed on top of the wood chips. A small amount of household waste can be added to them. The third layer is humus or prepared compost. Having ready-made "fuel" in the bed will speed up the soil preparation process for planting. If the soil is prepared in the fall, this layer can be omitted.

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Wood ash is added between the heating layers and the fertile soil. It is a source of macro- and microelements (potassium, calcium, phosphorus). It can also be fertilized with nitrogen fertilizer. In addition to accelerating vegetation, ash stimulates the growth and activity of bacteria. If the bed is created in the spring, all layers are generously watered with hot water and covered with opaque plastic. High temperatures and humidity trigger the necessary processes within the layers. The final step is to add fertile soil. The layer height depends on the root system of the plants (usually 15-20 cm).

Choosing a location

Before you begin construction, you need to allocate an area for the future garden bed. To ensure a bountiful harvest, cucumbers should be planted in a sunny spot. Even properly managed soil heating will not help grow robust plants with abundant fruit in the shade. Protection from the wind is also important. Strong winds excessively dry out the top layer of soil and affect young shoots.

If the soil slopes toward the horizon, the cucumber bed should be placed on the south side. This is especially true for northern regions where sunlight exposure is low. In warmer climates, it's preferable to plant the beds on a horizontal surface. Excessive sunlight can be detrimental even to this heat-loving plant. The choice of location is influenced by preceding crops. Cucumbers are best grown after tomatoes or cabbage.

Types of warm beds

Three types of cucumber gardens are most common: trench (buried), high (framed), and combined. In the first type, all layers are laid in pre-dug holes. This creates favorable conditions for organic matter decomposition and also allows the garden surface to be leveled with the newly filled area. In framed cucumber gardens, the layers are poured into a tall structure. Available materials, such as boards, slate, plastic, and bricks, are used to create the borders. The frame height is calculated based on ease of maintenance and the root system of the plants.

Recessed type

A buried cucumber bed has a more stable temperature and humidity. However, if it gets too wet, water can accumulate, forming stagnant zones. Steps to create a bed:

1. Dig a hole 0.5 m deep. The width should be sufficient to accommodate two rows of plants. The length depends on the number of cucumbers.
2. Thick branches and logs are placed on the bottom. Supports are placed at the ends to create a support structure for the vines to climb.
3. They add compost.
4. A layer of fertile soil is placed on top. If the bed is being made in the spring, several buckets of boiling water are poured onto it to initiate the process.

Raised

Building a cucumber garden in a frame is more labor-intensive. Before forming the layers, a 0.6-1 m high box must be assembled. Construction waste is used for the side walls: edged boards, flat or corrugated slate, metal, or plastic. The width and length of the bed should be compact, easy to care for the plants. After installing the frame, drainage material is added, followed by compost, and then the main soil.

On the soil surface

This type of garden bed is characterized by a high bed (for ease of plant care). However, maintaining the center and digging the soil can be difficult. The large frame is filled with a high drainage layer of large logs and branches. The wood stores moisture when the soil is wet and releases it during dry periods. The top of the bed is covered with a vapor-impermeable material or mulched with straw.

In a barrel

A unique idea for constructing a frame for compost and soil is to use a metal container. To do this, cut off the top and punch holes in the bottom to allow excess moisture to escape. Large branches are placed on the bottom, followed by a layer of green manure. The green manure will compact as it decomposes. The missing material is compensated for by adding fresh material. A few days before sowing, soil is added. The barrel is covered with plastic and left to warm in the sun in a place protected from the wind.

With freshly cut grass

Build a warm cucumber bed yourself in the spring. Steps to create:

1. They dig a trench 0.5 m wide and deep. The length is limited only by the dimensions of the site.
2. Freshly cut grass is poured into the bottom and compacted for 15-20 minutes.
3. Prepare a mixture of potato scraps and dry moldy bread (bring to a boil in a saucepan).
4. The hot gruel is scattered on the grass.
5. They cover it with earth.
6. Pour in several buckets of water, cover with opaque film and leave for 2-3 weeks.

From tires

Old tires not only help to beautifully decorate a garden plot, but also make a convenient place to plant cucumbers. Tires can be seamlessly integrated into the garden space and can also be moved to a new location each season. Here are the steps to creating a cucumber garden:

1. The sidewalls of the tires are cut off.
2. Place the tire on the selected area.
3. Coarse burlap or agrofibre is placed on the bottom.
4. Compost is poured on top.
5. The creation is completed with a layer of soil 10-15 cm thick.

Hanging boxes

A vertical garden bed is a series of containers filled with soil, either arranged or suspended from a frame. These structures are attached to posts, fences, house walls, or are freestanding. Placing plants on multi-tiered shelves simplifies loosening and weeding, as a significant portion of the bed is at chest height.

Vegetable growing technology

Plants are planted in one or two rows (depending on the width of the bed). Leave at least 60 cm between adjacent plants. When growing without seedlings, sow 2-3 seeds per hole (weak seedlings are removed later). A hole is dug for the established plant and fertilizer is added to the bottom. Then, water the seedlings with warm water and plant them.

Until the air temperature stabilizes and reaches 15°C, the bed is covered with plastic. To prevent the plastic from touching the young shoots, metal or plastic arches are installed. The film can also be useful in summer: the green shoots will only ripen during the fruiting period if the nighttime temperature is at least 18°C. By following a few rules, you can achieve a bountiful harvest:

1. The soil around the roots is loosened periodically. A crust should not form on the soil surface.
2. Remove weeds in a timely manner.
3. The lashes are evenly directed and new shoots are tied up.
4. The plantings are systematically watered and fertilized.
5. The whips are not damaged during harvesting.

Soil preparation

The final layer in any bed design is fertile soil. Achieving a high yield depends on soil preparation. All plants require nutritious, if possible, light, loose, water- and air-permeable soil. Heavy or sandy soils cannot provide the required conditions. Such soils require improvement, which involves the addition of cultivators, additional organic matter, and other techniques. The laid soil is watered with hot water and covered with plastic film, securely securing the edges. It will take several hours to two days for the soil to warm up and initiate the rotting process.

No manure

If using manure to heat your garden beds isn't possible, compost can be used. It's a natural fertilizer produced by the decomposition of various organic matter and the activity of soil bacteria, fungi, and insects. Once decomposed, the resulting material is a loose, brown mass rich in nutrients in a form that's accessible and easily absorbed by plants. Compost is a good substitute for "biofuel." It allows you to create a cucumber garden bed without using manure.

With biofuels

The design of a warm cucumber bed with manure is not much different from a compost bed. A distinctive feature is the use of compost. Using fresh organic matter from manure can impair plant growth, and insects living in it can damage the root system. Allow the material to mature for several years before adding it. The first layer in the bed is a drainage layer. Then, thick paper or cardboard is placed between the compost and wood chips. The main soil is added last.

Preparing a warm bed for cucumbers in the garden or greenhouse in the fall or spring is essential for increasing yield. Moreover, early sowing allows you to harvest the first cucumbers earlier than the standard ripening period.