bulb log35

[John85]

Is there a technical reason why there is no insulation under the cables?
To avoid to have to raise the sides of the trays it could even been placed under them even if it is less efficient.

[Maggi Young]

I think the answer to that is "no", John .... it's just that Ian was taking the easiest way out, without having to make new plunge areas.

He is planning to remake the staging in the glass houses to have deep plunges to the floor  made with slabs ( because they will take up less space than building with bricks or building blocks which is important because the houses are only 6 feet wide. ) and then he may make new plunge staging in that house...... but when?? Who knows!

[John85]

Sorry, don't know where to ask this question so I try it here
About the raised beds in Ian's garden made with concrete slabs:
How are they assembled?Is there a connecting piece between each slab?And a angle in each corner?
I can see some nuts here and there.Does the bolts have the same length as the width of the bed?

[Maggi Young]

John, I can find an article Ian wrote about the slab beds..... give me a little time and I'll get that information!

[Maggi Young]

 John, here is the article we did on raised bed... it shows how the slabs are connected with the metal "ties" and how we made a covers for those that needed winter protection.
 Raised bed article.pdf (184.16 kB - downloaded 384 times.)

 and here are the two photos that went with the article  which is from 'the Rock Garden' #87 of January 1991

[John85]

Thank you Maggi.Much easier than bricks and mortar!

[Maggi Young]

It is, John... and those beds are as good now as when they were made over 20 years ago, though they have mostly been replanted by now! 
Ian is hoping to be able soon to remove the metal framed staging in a glass house to replace it with a deep plunge built using the slabs in this way. Heaven knows when he'll have the time for it!

Because the glasshouses are only 6feet wide  (less than 2metres) there is not enough room to waste on building the plunges with bricks or concrete blocks- the slab method is ideal. 

[David Nicholson]

I shall be watching with great interest, come on Ian, get on with it

[Maggi Young]

Ian is  on a train coming home from giving a talk in Ayr last night, David.... I'll be sure to give him your message though.....

[David Nicholson]

Ian is  on a train coming home from giving a talk in Ayr last night, David.... I'll be sure to give him your message though.....

OK, I'll keep my head down