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Post by caretaker on Dec 29, 2013 21:42:41 GMT
I made a mistake, on my bench I made a propagator 2 feet by 4 feet and put 3 bags off course sand in then added a worming cable and thermostat then 1 bag of fine sand, this was done in the late summer.
On inspection to day the bench has sunk in one corner about one inch, I have managed to prop it up with a piece of wood for the time being.
If it holds up till the spring I will have to make my mind up weather to empty it of the sand but not to keen on this as it will mix up the sand grades.
Hope everyone had a nice Christmas, roll on spring.
Reg
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Post by scrumpy on Dec 29, 2013 22:56:27 GMT
You don't need fine sand. Coarse all the way through is fine. 2" sand, then your cable,then 2 more inches of sand.
I then cover mine with weed suppressing membrane that allows water through and put trays on top.
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Post by caretaker on Dec 30, 2013 12:25:11 GMT
I did not know about the weed suppressing membrane, will remember that.
Hopefully it will have stopped sinking, I did put thick tiles under the bench legs some time back but did not know I would be putting all that sand on.
Reg
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Post by daitheplant on Dec 30, 2013 21:00:05 GMT
Reg, much too much sand. 1.5 inches of hoticultural sand, then lay the cable spacing the swags about 3 inches apart. Then cover with another inch of sand. No need for membrane as there will be no weeds.
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Post by scrumpy on Dec 30, 2013 22:47:48 GMT
Membrane helps stops water from evaporating, and prevents roots from your plants growing into the sand which they will.
As to the amount of sand used, I follow the manufacturers instructions.
As to spacing, depends how "hot" you want it to be. You can go closer than 3 inches.
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Post by daitheplant on Dec 31, 2013 20:15:10 GMT
Membrane helps stops water from evaporating, and prevents roots from your plants growing into the sand which they will. As to the amount of sand used, I follow the manufacturers instructions. As to spacing, depends how "hot" you want it to be. You can go closer than 3 inches. If you water your plants,cuttings,seeds,seedlings properly, there will be very little evaporation. As for how hot, you don`t want the bed HOT you want it at a suitable growing temperature, otherwise you damage the plant material PLUS you cause evaporation from the growing medium. As for using fabric, it is better for the roots to grow down into the sand than be deformed because they can`t. And if you have the swags of cable too close together you create a heater element situation, which can cause serious problems . |
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Post by caretaker on Jan 15, 2014 10:30:16 GMT
The propagator has sunk about one inch in one corner, don't sound much but there will be seed trays to go in spring time.
Well I have set-to and emptied the sand in to buckets, I will try and get the propagator to the other side bench and remove the sinking bench.
Then it maybe concrete under the 4 legs, will see.
Not going to do any more till the weather gets a bit better.
I wish there was something I could use that is lighter than sand.
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Post by caretaker on Jan 16, 2014 12:05:24 GMT
At last the propagator is finished, It was sinking on the front two legs, I put a leg in the middle but made it rest on the concrete path that runs down the middle of the greenhouse.
Replaced all the sand but when doing this the heavens opened, now come on you up there, my water-but is full.
Reg
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