:( Wind v poly tunnel :*(

[ancee]

Hmmm.
We had a lot of really stormy days. The poly tunnel succumbed Absolutely wrecked. Nothing to salvage at all, it actually looked like someone had been jumping on it. Ripped plastic, bent and cracked poles. Even though we reinforced it with a wooden structure inside, and we buried the plastic in the ground, the actual poles just weren't strong enough. Gutted.
But, hey ho, I now have two lovely beds with a path running down the middle of them so I can reach both sides.
I am wondering though, the stuff I grew in there last year - tomatillos, cucamelons, musk melons, tomatoes and cucumbers, - are there varieties that you can grow outside?
I'm trying to be very positive about this. I was hoping to get about 3 years out of this, but one year is a bit rubbish actually

[bearded bloke]

Oh bugger

[veggiechicken]

Sorry Ancee
There are tomatoes and cukes that you can grow outdoors but I've no idea about the others.

[binley100]

not good

[Tripmeup]

not good

Agreed...

The only thing I would say Ancee is that having seen your enthusiasm for all things gardening, is that without a greenhouse or tunnel of some sort, you will be at the mercy of the weather to a large degree...
So having had a tunnel, you might find it tough to be without...
Anyway you can get another or a greenhouse?

[Bren In Pots]

Ancee I grow Marketmore cucs outdoors and they do fairly well, plus my spare toms also go in buckets next to them.
Somewhere here on the vine there's a thread from Zazen about growing toms outdoors covered with a bit of plastic for protection.

[Feral007]

My tomatoes keep getting zapped by late frosts. So no help from me.

Have to say I liked your thread title, sitting here with the f@rting dog, the thought of wind in a polytunnel ewwww

[Martin H]

Really sorry to hear about your tunnel.

You can do a lot outside with a little protection from panes of glass, netting, fleece etc to make a warmer microclimate, but obviously you want to choose the hardiest varieties.

Don't let it get you down, let's see you winning lots of prizes in the 2014 virtual show!

[Bigmallly]

Sorry about the PT ancee. As Bren said "Marketmore" (Ridge) cucs are an outdoor variety. I also grew some outdoor toms called "Outdoor Girl" funnily enough & had a great crop so hope is not lost.

[Bill HH]

Yes chin up, I grew Tomatoes and cucumbers outside last year. There seem to be plenty of second hand green houses advertised so maybe you can take advantage of that.

[ancee]

Thanks for all the tips and support guys I'll look into the varieties that you have suggested. I am now on the lookout for old windows to see what we can rig up, I'll post our adventures on here at some point

[Bigmallly]

Just found an old thread on outdoor Toms ancee, just gonna look for Cucs.........

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ato_11405.html

[Bigmallly]

Outdoor Cucs:

Growing Cucumbers Outdoors UK - Step-by-Step Guide With Pictures

[redser]

You could try a DIY tunnel. Just as strong as a 'proper' one but easy on the pocket ...

User Pages Preview / Save

[Alison]

Others have already commented on some of the other stuff but I'm just going to comment on tomatillos - I've never grown them under cover, always outdoors. Start them off in modules etc and plant out in early June and as long as they're supported with a few canes I get tonnes of fruit, always far more than I need from only 2 or 3 plants and usually end up with a load of self seeded ones the next year too. To be honest I wouldn't use up my valuable tunnel space with them, totally unnecessary so you'll be fine there. Re the tunnel damage, I don't know what sort of tunnel you had but it sounds like it was more of a blow away type, unfortunately this is a big risk with them so they don't always work out very cheap as you have to replace so often. I saved up and splashed out on a heavy duty one a few years ago and it'll stand any gales that we're likely to get, not cheap to buy but worth it if you can make the initial payment.