Buying a polytunnel - advice please

sgun

Well the cover of mine is guaranteed for 5 years so I'm guessing it will last at least that! The hoops are 35mm and are very sturdy. Are you talking about the smaller flimsy ones? You certainly wouldn't dismantle a proper tunnel every year such as the ones we are talking about!


Also, part of the point of a polytunnel is the year round gardening so why would you dismantle it in the autumn? This week I am sowing pak choi, lettuce, rocket, kale, beetroot, carrots and turnips.


That said, the flimsy ones that cost about £50 quid don't last long. A proper tunnel is somewhat more of a financial investment, mine, with lots of extras and extra strengthening was about £450.

Davesnave

warehouse wrote: »

Hi OP,

Looked into something similar last year and asked around my own allotment for peoples thoughts. The general opinion was you'll get 2 years max out of a polytunnel if left up all year, 4 years if you dismantle it every Autumn and put it up again in spring.

I sourced a 2nd hand greenhouse for £30 from ebay.

What kind of polytunnel is that?!

I wouldn't fancy dismantling mine every autumn, especially as it protects all my semi-tender stuff and grows some crops right through winter.

In 2012, I was still getting use out of the tunnel my predecessor erected in 2004 . Now, I'm using the cover for to keep my chicken shed floor dry.

I think proper polytunnel plastic will go at least 6 years, and I'd expect more if it was erected properly, with no bits flapping about. Of course the covers come in various grades and cheap ones may fail due to poor UV protection.

I'll not say what my tunnel cost, but it was more than my car! :rotfl:

Floss

Thanks for all the advice...lots to think about and some saving to be done!

marybakers

the best polytunnel i have is made out of scaffolding poles and blue tubing,all the high winds there stood up to it,few of the others on our plot were mangled as they had the green covered ones.

Shelly1986

tinkytonkytank wrote: »

I'd suggest trying to source second hand frame hoops - those are almost indestructible, and then look at buying the poly separately. On average and with a bit of patching, the polythene needs replacing every 10 years (in our experience)

This is what both I and my dad have, hoops with the polythene over the top so no seams to weaken. We have mesh and wood doors either end, that we cover with polythene flaps that can roll up in the summer, works a treat!

Good quality polythene will last, so if you can, buy the good stuff