The ancient method of growing vegetables in hot beds, used by the Victorians and by the Romans, harnesses the natural process of decay to cultivate out-of-season crops. In this easy-to-use guide, Jack First shares essential tips on how to reap the rewards available from modernizing and adapting this remarkable technique. With just stable manure (or alternatives), a simple frame and a small space to build your bed, you can be harvesting salads in March and potatoes in early April.

This accessible, illustrated guide has everything you need to understand how to use this highly productive, low-cost, year-round, eco-friendly gardening system. Straightforward explanations and diagrams show how you too can grow early veg without fossil-fuel energy or elaborate equipment.

Autorentext

Jack First is an experienced horticulturalist who has pioneered, developed and fully tested the methods covered in his book Hot Beds. His hot beds have been featured on BBC's Gardeners' World. He works with volunteers on a large plot in Keighley and is the sole supplier to his local wholefood shop of out-of-season greens, new potatoes and salads.

Jack studied agriculture in the late 1960s and has been involved with farming and horticulture ever since. For the last 14 years he has run a horticultural project for people with mental health problems. He was a Soil Association symbol holder for ten years, taught organic gardening at Shipley College, has given public talks to allotment associations and worked in schools setting up organic gardens. He also worked in a wholefood cooperative, producing, wholesaling and retailing organic produce.

Zusammenfassung
'Jack is a fount of knowledge and the expert on hot beds. When I visited his allotment and saw how advanced and healthy his crops were, it proved to me that these ancient old systems still work a treat and are just as relevant now - if not more so - than they ever were.'

Inhalt

Introduction
Hot beds are nothing new
How hot beds work
The advantages of hot beds
Preparing the hot bed
Creating the hot bed
Planning and sowing
What to grow, and varieties
Management of your hot beds
Case studies
Further possibilities
Resources