Hi there ....

[its4billy]

Mmmm not sure what to say now

I have a bit of land that I want to put a poly tunnel on. I'm quite new to growing, past attempts have been peas and tomatoes in our conservatory, spuds and carrots outside.

I'm wondering if a poly tunnel would be a good idea? Can I grow earlier in the year? Could I grow tropical stuff?

So many questions spring to mind so I thought I'd try a forum to find tips and advice.

I'll find a more appropriate section to go to and make a list of questions before I start rabbiting on

Rgds
Bill.

[veggiechicken]

Hi Bill and welcome
Don't worry about a bit of rabbiting - I do it all the time. Everyone ignores me but they won't be so rude to you and will answer your questions and be as helpful as they can,

[Baldy]

welcome along...

generally a polytunnel will allow you to prolong the growing season

an old boy on my plot has a homemade tunnel / greenhouse in which he's managed to grow lemon plant - he's has a few fruit from it over the past couple of years but we are in sub-tropical Devon

[lottie dolly]

Hello Bill and welcome to the forum,you will soon find your way around,have a look at the chat thread and see how friendly we are,also look to see how many post other peeps have,then you will see what rabbitin is all about hehehehe,this not only about growing,but a very friendly place if you so wish.
Regards poly tunnels,have a look at the apropriate thead,will give you an insight into how peeps use them,i had a home made mock up the other year,and miss it,i liked mine for melons,cue's,and housing things for protection in the early season,they are a bit warmer than a glass house,good place to chill out and hide in when potting on ext,as more room to move.

[Jungle Jane]

Hello Bill a polytunnel sounds good,protection for your plants & warmer,nice if it’s a warm rainy day & you can still get on with sowing seeds

[Guest]

Hi and welcome to the vine

[nickdub]

I have built myself a poly-tunnel. Partly its to allow a slightly longer growing season, but it also means I have somewhere to mooch around in when its wet, and I have hopes of growing some things in it like strawberries and cherries which are hopeless outside for me due to the combined forces of all the pests which attack the fruit.

A lot of practical gardening in the times in which we live comes down to how much you enjoy it, what you can realistically grow and harvest, and how much it costs you. First off you get a healthy form of recreation hopefully coupled with a good harvest, but don't expect it to save you much if any money overall.

Personally I try to garden on the cheap and make a lot of the things I need myself, repair and scrounge stuff etc, but I'd still be very surprised if I came out ahead over a season in pure monetary terms.

[Bren In Pots]

Hello and welcome to the vine Bill

[Small pumpkin]

Welcome to the vine
A polytunnle is a brilliant idea. I love mine

[geepee]

Welcome aboard Bill.

[Greenleaves]

Welcome to the vine, enjoy the benefits of the advice and humour

[Tripmeup]

Hello and welcome..

[Jimny14]

Welcome along. Good luck with the poly tunnel, I don't have room for one but our neighbours have one which they love. Enjoy

[muck lover]

Welcome.
A tunnel is an incredible addition to a plot. Get the biggest you possibly can- you will fill it for sure.
I’m not so sure about tropical plants. A lot of the stuff I grow in polytunnel isn’t exactly tropical and some of it is even completely hardy. Garlic for example is a really hardy plant but In polytunnel it just grows so much bigger. Also winter brassicas psb and kale love the shelter. And strawberries are easier to protect from the multitudes of pests that want to munch them.
So just go for it. Put a chair in and even in winter you can have a cup of coffee in balmy warmth- provided the sun is shining!

[Mr Bones]

Hi Bill and welcome to the Vine