polly tunnel - Whose Got One?

J90BMH

Afternoon,

Been looking into getting a green house for awhile, but as you do i have some how gone from looking at a 4x4 green house to a 10ftx15ft poly tunnel!

I have looked at building my own, but after all the messing around i think for what i want it for id buy it off the net!

Just wondering if any one on here has a polytunnel and where and did they get it from and any other tips when looking to buy one?

Davesnave

I have a 42' x 24' tunnel from First Tunnels which I built myself, with much help from DW, but I don't have a day job!

First Tunnels have lots of video help on You Tube and on their own web site, but this can gloss over some of the difficuties and give the impression that everything will be done & dusted over a weekend, when it probably won't.;) To their credit, they also have a hot line direct to their engineers/erectors, so if you hit a snag, there will be someone who knows a solution at the other end of the 'phone. This is very helpful when small sections in their instruction booklets, which are generally good, fall below par.

Northern Polytunnels are top quality, but they worked out somewhat more expensive on the design I wanted to build. They do a lot of commercial tunnels.

Whoever you buy from, make sure you factor-in plenty of ventilation. Small, low, tunnels can become stifling ovens very quickly.

If a polytunnel is over 14' wide, it is generally seen as 'commercial' and may need Planning Permission. Oddly, the length seems less critical. If in doubt, check with your local authority.

peter_the_piper

Agree with all Dave has said and would add that it pays to get the best quality sheet you can afford, it lasts longer. Also stick to conventional opaque colour and don't be enticed into some of the odder colours, they don't work for all plants. For example, one of my tunnels has a blue sheet, great for some plants but lobelia just does not like it, it draws badly. Presumably due to the wavelength of light it lets through. Have fun, it won't ever be big enough though.