Anyone got a Polytunnel ?

ventureuk

I have outgrown my 8x6 greenhouse and have a buyer for it in the pipeline so I plan on erecting a 10x15 polytunnel which is as large as I can reasonably go.

Do you have one ? Do you like it ? How does it compare to a greenhouse ?

Any advice and views willingly taken.

Thanks

jammy_dodger

hi ventureuk

i have a 10 x 15 polytunnel and LOVE IT its been in situ for 6 years and still going strong despite strongest winds and heavy heavy snow falls

i bought one which has straighter sides which allows growing room closer to the edges

i live in ne scotland and it extends my "growing season" by 2 - 3 months
i could grow crops all year but i prefer to house my chickens in it over theworst of the winter, they then clean and fertililse my ground ready for the spring

i love being able to garden whatever the weather

i grow a wide variety of fruit and vegetables i do have a small outdoor veg bed so can compare the two crops and those in poly tunnel grow like mad

the only thing i dont have success with is cabbages as they tend to bolt in the heat

if i can help i with any other queries

jammy_dodger

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=542018&highlight=poly+tunnel

i think this is a link on greenfingered board with queries on polytunnels

not very good at links so if it doesnt work go over to the greenfingered board and type polytunnels in the search bit hth

ventureuk

Jammy thanks for your reply.

One of my concerns was how the tunnel responded to high wind as I live at a house once called 'Windy Ridge' and lost half the roof whilst on holiday a few years ago.

I plan on getting the storm bars, crops bars and aluminium base rails which should add rigidity and make it easier to manage/replace the plastic.

Do you have anything to strengthen the structure or is your tunnel standard ?

peter_the_piper

We have found that its better to put the sheet on on a warm day as the plastic is more flexible. When it gets colder the plastic shrinks quite a bit and helps make the structure rigid and stops the sides flapping in the wind. Follow the instructions regarding fixing the plastic at the ends first and work out from the middle when fixing the sides.

Davesnave

I have just inherited one with a new property.

My top tip for the day is don't have a bonfire close to one. The outgoing owners decided, in their wisdom, to set fire to everything they couldn't carry out of here, so my tunnel has lots of nice little ventilation holes where the sparks landed.:rotfl:

Mojisola

ventureuk wrote: »

I have outgrown my 8x6 greenhouse and have a buyer for it in the pipeline so I plan on erecting a 10x15 polytunnel which is as large as I can reasonably go.

Do you have one ? Do you like it ? How does it compare to a greenhouse ?

I would go for it - you'll love the extra space. We used to have an acre of tunnels so know a bit about them! There are a few disadvantages - the light transmission through plastic isn't as good as glass, especially after the first year, and the heat loss is greater than with glass but neither are bad enough to affect normal growing in a garden. Humidity levels can be a problem with some crops. You haven't got windows as you would have in a glasshouse so the humidity is harder to control.

This article - https://www.firsttunnels.co.uk/docs/kitchengarden2.pdf - gives a good idea of how to put one up. Waiting for a warm (not hot), still day to put the cover on is essential.

I would just add that you need to puncture the plastic in the bottom of the trenches with a fork so that rainwater can drain away. If you don't, you get two bog gardens alongside the tunnel and, in very windy weather, the plastic can slide through the wet soil and your cover will loosen. A loose cover leads to the plastic rubbing and flapping and that causes wear.

Also, when you fold the plastic over the ends, make the folds so that rain runs over them rather than collects in them.

Always have a roll of tunnel repair tape on hand and patch any tears or holes as soon as you see them. You will extend the life of the cover if you repair quickly.

Bonfires aren't the only problem. Cats and foxes can tear the plastic by running up the sides of the tunnel. Avoid using a strimmer too close to the plastic sides!

In order to get plants off to an early start you can further insulate a small area with sheets of bubble plastic over temporary frames. That will extend your growing season. Again, be careful about ventilation.

I don't know if you are planning on raised beds as in the article, but I would say that the paths set out are too narrow. Make sure you give yourself a decent working space. What looks big enough when the tunnel is empty can be far too narrow when you have tomatoes and cucumbers towering up to the roof.

If there's anything else you want to know, ask away.