Any advice on how to prevent theft/damage to a polytunnel?

[binley100]

Make things too secure and they think you've got something worth nicking and do more damage in the process.....my shed is unlocked but it looks like someones already ransacked it anyway

[Samuel1988]

How do you protect your poly tunnel/take measures to avoid fabric damage?

Evening all,

I am about to buy a poly tunnel (the sized ones which you can walk in) and I was wondering how has everyone (if you have) taken steps to help prevent any potential damage to your poly tunnel?

I was thinking of erecting some fencing where I can grow up some plants around it to act as a bit of a wind brake.

I would be interested to hear how/if others have taken any steps to help protect their poly tunnel.

Also, do you HAVE to buy a new cover if the poly tunnel does encounter any rips?

Many thanks,

Samuel

[Bill HH]

Yeah my plot is in the middle and there is another polytunnel nearer to one of the exits so I don't think theft will be a problem but I would like to make it nice and secure anyway.

Another thought came to me regarding any tears - can tears be easily fixed/avoided or is replacing the WHOLE material the only option?

Thanks everyone for your input

Samuel

Try this.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Repair-Water...el+repair+tape

[Bill HH]

There is a previous thread about this.


http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ase_75607.html

[chris]

Indeed Bill. I've merged the threads, and re-named the title.

[johnjohn]

I am about to purchase a poly tunnel and I was wondering if anyone had any advice to prevent anyone from simply packing it down and walking of with it?

The poly tunnel is a 2m x 3m size.

I put up a 2x4m this year that looks like this, maybe similar to yours?

I attached about 40-50cm wire rope to the base of the tunnel at each corner:

With an exhaust clamp like this:

At the other end of the wire rope I attached a 30cm length of scaffold tubing, again with the exhaust clamp.

I trenched the polythene but dug the corners deeper to allow me to bury the scaffold tube.

It's obviously not bolt cutter proof but it becomes more of a job for someone- will also help in the winds-I hope!

[Two_Sheds]

I was thinking of erecting some fencing ... as a bit of a wind brake.

You need to check your tenancy agreement: mine specifically excludes any kind of fence or hedge, even though our site is extremely windswept. Daft.

Any windbreak needs to be about 50% permeable, so the wind is filtered, not stopped (it doesn't stop at solid objects, it just gets madder & badder).

I have a raspberry fedge along my windier side, it does a little to filter the winds and protect the crops in front of it. I leave it up until late Feb. Then I put the wigwams up in April, on the windy side, to help a bit too