there are certainly alot of seedlings that have sprouted, only we've noticed in the mound that plants do much better if they are transplanted and already significantly robust. Seeds don't do so well and (I may have mentioned this before) its possibly a combination of the seeds being taken by insects/ants and that some of the leaves, especially pine needles, may be releasing a chemical that prevents seeds from germinating.
these seedlings were looking a little drowned and suffering a bit of exposure- lots of rain and wind the last few weeks. I decided we do a DIY greenhouse.
This is an old bird cage with the bottom long lost, I found a roll of industrial cling-wrap (the type used in restaurants) in the pantry (not sure WHY we've got industrial cling-wrap in the first place) and then I wrapped up the cage!
I've seen similar 'solar dryers' in East Timor- a simple frame (bamboo or wood) and clear plastic sheetings to cover all sides. There are few more design considerations, for example, a floor of pebbles, some mesh to stop insects, but more or less its this simple.
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