I have a 10' x 8' greenhouse which is fine for raising seeds early on, tomatoes later, etc. However, I am seriously considering a polytunnel to extend the season. I've looked through a lot of the posts here and noted various comments by JB - ventilation - and others - Cider Boy recommended book 'GARDENING UNDER PLASTIC' (How to use Fleece,Films, Cloches and Polytunnels) by Bernard Salt.
What is particularly striking is the wide range of prices.
But to ask some basic questions.
1) Minimum size - particularly width and height - not looking for an enormous one and I am in a fairly sheltered spot so wind shouldn't be a particular problem. Regard 8' as size but is there any advantage in going to 10'?
2) Doors - wooden or hinged - and ventilation - anti-condensation claims real?
3) Tape for hot-spots, spare cover, etc. Durability.
4) Type of cover - For instance Ferryman have Sterilite SuperThermic,
SunMaster Diffused and SunMaster Clear. Interesting that they don't seem to do side-vents.
5) Type of 'ground' connection.
6) Who to buy from.
Thanks
Polytunnels
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Colin Miles
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Nature's Babe
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Hi Colin, if cost is a strong consideration I came across this link which you might find helpful when looking at the possibility of tailoring a cover for a couple of my permanent beds.
http://www.self-sufficient.co.uk/Make-Y ... tunnel.htm
http://www.self-sufficient.co.uk/Make-Y ... tunnel.htm
Sit down before a fact as a little child, be prepared to give up every preconcieved notion, follow humbly wherever and to whatever abyss nature leads, or you shall learn nothing.
By Thomas Huxley
http://www.wildrye.info/reserve/
By Thomas Huxley
http://www.wildrye.info/reserve/
Hi Colin, I'm not an expert on polytunnel growing but I inherited one when I moved here. The only thing I would say on choosing a tunnel would be to go for one with straight sides. The one I have has curved sides which really reduces the growing space.
Regards, Diane
Regards, Diane
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Colin Miles
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Thanks Diane. What size is your tunnel? Do you know what make?
Hello Colin,
We inherited our tunnel, but only the hoops, as the plastic was many years old and wouldn't have coped with the move!
It's about 10 ft X 20ft and we have found this to be big enough, though this was our first year and something of a learning process. We made doors from building lath with wire mesh to keep critters out but insects in (it didn't keep the local teenagers and their spliffs out) but we didn't get around to putting plastic on the doors. This meant the prevailing cold winds of spring blew in and slowed up the growing process somewhat. No problems with lack of ventilation, though.
Hot spot tape is a must, it will extend the life of the plastic by years, and is not that expensive. We got our new plastic from First Tunnels, they were cheaper than our nearest horticultural suppliers and much more helpful with advice. I think we used the clear plastic on their advice, and it seems fine.
Tunnel is fixed to ground by galvanised tubes that are hammered into the ground, then the hoops slotted in.
Our biggest problem has been the teenagers, they havent done much damage to the plants thankfully, but they did cut the plastic a bit in one place (duck taped up now). We don't want to put a lock on it, cos they will just cut their way in. I'm not too bothered, but my Fine Young Man gets cross, although he smoked his way through a number of spliffs in various sheds and barns in his day
Hope this has been of some help.
We inherited our tunnel, but only the hoops, as the plastic was many years old and wouldn't have coped with the move!
It's about 10 ft X 20ft and we have found this to be big enough, though this was our first year and something of a learning process. We made doors from building lath with wire mesh to keep critters out but insects in (it didn't keep the local teenagers and their spliffs out) but we didn't get around to putting plastic on the doors. This meant the prevailing cold winds of spring blew in and slowed up the growing process somewhat. No problems with lack of ventilation, though.
Hot spot tape is a must, it will extend the life of the plastic by years, and is not that expensive. We got our new plastic from First Tunnels, they were cheaper than our nearest horticultural suppliers and much more helpful with advice. I think we used the clear plastic on their advice, and it seems fine.
Tunnel is fixed to ground by galvanised tubes that are hammered into the ground, then the hoops slotted in.
Our biggest problem has been the teenagers, they havent done much damage to the plants thankfully, but they did cut the plastic a bit in one place (duck taped up now). We don't want to put a lock on it, cos they will just cut their way in. I'm not too bothered, but my Fine Young Man gets cross, although he smoked his way through a number of spliffs in various sheds and barns in his day
Hope this has been of some help.
Hi Colin, mine is about 20' x 12' which is really reduced to about 20' x 9' of usable space because of the curved sides and I have no idea of the make.
I have plastic doors each end plus mesh doors inside so we can leave the plastic doors open to get ventilation but keep out our neighbours' cats (23 at the last count)
My friend recently got one from First Tunnels and she is very pleased with it. It was fairly easy to put up; the longest job was digging the holes and putting in the leg supports. As pongeroon says, the company was very helpful and talked us through a couple of installation queries over the phone.
Hope this info is useful
Diane
I have plastic doors each end plus mesh doors inside so we can leave the plastic doors open to get ventilation but keep out our neighbours' cats (23 at the last count)
My friend recently got one from First Tunnels and she is very pleased with it. It was fairly easy to put up; the longest job was digging the holes and putting in the leg supports. As pongeroon says, the company was very helpful and talked us through a couple of installation queries over the phone.
Hope this info is useful
Diane
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thetangoman
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Hi try a company called premier tunnels..they specialise in small tunnels etc for allotments and smallholdings , but also sell bigger tunnels.
Prices are reasonable, I was going to buy one but another plot holder sold me a 10 x 12 foot frame for a tenner..job done
Prices are reasonable, I was going to buy one but another plot holder sold me a 10 x 12 foot frame for a tenner..job done
We have two big tunnels and wouldn't be without them.
We have 6 eating grapes in the one, using the space below to start off salads, greens, carrots, beetroot, radishes, etc., during late autumn and grow peas, carrots, broad beans, sweetcorn, and a range of other veg early on in the winter, plus melons later on in the season.
Our second tunnel is largely used for tomatoes, cucumbers, chillies, peppers and aubergines.
We have 6 eating grapes in the one, using the space below to start off salads, greens, carrots, beetroot, radishes, etc., during late autumn and grow peas, carrots, broad beans, sweetcorn, and a range of other veg early on in the winter, plus melons later on in the season.
Our second tunnel is largely used for tomatoes, cucumbers, chillies, peppers and aubergines.