new polytunnel which aspect to the wind?

[yorkshire sam]

I have invested in a 15 x 10 polytunnel for my lotty. Because I am in the north and at the end of the lotty it can sometimes be a bit breezy. I have asked around the lotty around those who have one as to which way should they face the regular wind - opinion is split ( as are the directions of the lay of these tunnels) as to whether the flat end should face the wind or the broad curved side - the flat enders say it helps clear the tunnel the opposite opinion say the wind then 'rolls over' the tunnel -- anyone care to comment?

[brooklynodog]

Still waiting for advice on my polytunnel question, but I have read that if you have the option, they are best placed north to south

[nick the grief]

Ideally you want the broad side to face south so that normally means they run East/West. If you have a real problem with the wind (add your own punchline here) I would put a bit of windbreak netting up or maybe plant something in front to filter the wind.

Having some "breeze" running through your tunnel would help with ventilation I would have thought ... I'll tell you after next week when I hopefully get mine !

[brooklynodog]

Sorry, wrong answer from me!

[nick the grief]

Not really Brooklyn, My greenhouse runs North South as I can't get it in any other way

[brooklynodog]

So does mine, but i didnt think it mattered when i put it up!

[Snadger]

I haven't got a polytunnel but if I had I don't think I would position the door on the side of the prevailing wind unless I wanted a 15 x 10 kite!
Slope of ground, frost pockets at bottom of plot, shade from overhanging trees could also dictate where it was positioned.

Having said that most of the polytunnels on our allotments run East/West with the door situated to catch the prevailing west wind! Nothing like a stiff breeze to keep you awake!

We LOVE flying kites in Tyneside!

[JennieAtkinson]

I know a bit about wind (so to speak) being this far north!

My tunnel lies with the doors facing west and east, so the broad side faces south. This gives me the best sun options, but I have found that the sides are far better at taking a strong wind than the door ends. The door ends are the most vulnerable and where I have all my splits and patches. This will be my fifth summer with the tunnel, so its made it through six winters, most of which have included hurricane force winds from the south.

I do have a walled garden, but this makes the wind worse, as it blows down with great strength off the top of the walls so I have been planting some willows between the wall and the tunnel on the east and south side and planting a new bed of willows and rosa rugosa to the west.

I have to say I would locate in exactly the same position again, altlhough I would dig it down into the ground, say about 3 feet which others have found (since I put mine up!) works well here in the windy north.

Hope this helps and goodluck!

[crichmond]

If you have fencing around your allotments the put wind break fabric on your section, and place the tunnel east west so the tunnel catches the most sun.
If you plot is veery windy make sure you fix the tunnel down properly, if you are fixing the sheeting to runner boards then make sure the tunnel is fixed to the ground somehow and earths up against the runner boards to stop the wind getting underneath.

Cheers Chris

[Norm]

My tunnel is North/South as the prevailing wind is East/West. A few years ago, there were some severe gales you may remember. gusts up to 90mph. Mt tunnel is still there with its original sheeting on. The East/West tunnels on the lottie have been replaced and replaced and replaced. When strong wind gets in the door, the tunnel acts like a parachute.