help needed on polytunnels....

[bloomers66]

has anyone got a polytunnel instead of a greenhouse? we are considering this option as i don't fancy all that glass..
is this a good option or am i wrong and should we go for a greenhouse. we are looking at a tunnel at 8'x10' for our allotment and all discussions are welcome to help solve our dilema........
also, where is the best place to but a polytunnel from?

[Kristen]

glass definitely gets my vote. Obviously not much use if you have yobs chucking stones though.

I bought mine on eBay - 30' x 10', 5 year old aluminium greenhouse for £ 400, and a 12' x 10' (forgotten the price)

I quite like the look of this DIY tunnel though

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[PurpleBecca]

About choosing a poly

The poly gets my vote - We have a 24' tunnel and it is fabulous. We had a glass one when we lived in the Uk. Growing wise I wouldn't say there was much in it for me - except that I can afford a bigger plastic and therefore get to grow more.

I wouldn't be able to advise you where to get a tunnel in the UK - sorry.

[kentvegplot]

I now have both, but started with a tunnel. The big difference is that a tunnel is much harder to keep frost-free in the winter - but if that isn't an issue, I would go for it. The tunnel currently has toms, cukes, peppers and melons (although the melons might prefer the slightly higher temperatures in the greenhouse). Bought ours from firsttunnels (I think!)

[Stacey Steve]

As you are looking at a 10x8 tunnel, I assume you are going for one of the lightweight ones you can see on EBay a lot.

I have one of these as well as a glass greenhouse.

As the tubing is not very heavy and they are only really designed for reasonable weather, I don't think they are practical for bad winter winds.

So saying we have had some pretty bad gusts of wind already this year. One of the other plot holders has been wiser than me, in that they sited theirs so the side was facing the prevailing winds and buried the ground flaps into the ground and they have apparently had no problems.

Me on the other hand never thought about the prevailing winds and sited mine with the door facing the prevailing winds and came unstuck.

Got down the allotments to find mine on it's back, so I've had to rope mine down and have put up a windbreak to stop any further problems.

When I have finished cropping this year, I will resite mine but Ithink I will be prudent and still rope it down. On the other hand, if it seems to be a problem over winter, it is so simple to take the cover off but obviously this will restrict it's usefulness somewhat.

[PurpleBecca]

Sorry to smile at your misfortune - but like the mental image of the little tunnel on its back! legs flailing in the air! lol!

[Stacey Steve]

PB, you are actually correct in your vision, the "legs" were flapping about. I also saw the funny side as I stood there. I have mentioned to loads of newcomers about the prevailing wind and never heeded my own advice. TWONK

[PurpleBecca]

Still smiling about that 'turtled tunnel' but I know what you mean.

We live on the side of a valley up a hill -pretty high altitude (I'm in cloud now) and the wnd 'prevails' both ways - which is very unfair!! It comes East west and west east depending on its mood! Luckily we located our tunnel east west with a door in each end (it s 24 foot) so its ok.

We didnt bury our plastic we used 'base rails' to hold it down with exhaust clamps (big FO lumps of concrete on the poles in the gorund mind you!) We haev been surprised that it has stayed put (fingers crossed)

Since we put our tunnel up three years ago we have helped put up a dozen or so with neighbours and I have to say that the burying plastic is harder work but feels 'good and solid'

One other thing I was thinking - I have had a problem with sil errosion which I dont think you would have wth the burrying method either. As I have the base rails - we found the water run off washed away the soil around the bottom of the tunnel - this could be:

a, because we are in Ireland and it rains a lot!
b, because we and the tunnel are on a hill.

We ended up putting boards and slates along the bottom edge to stop the soil falling out of the tunnel!

[SarzWix]

If you want a 'proper' polytunnel, not one of those pop-together thingies, then try the following;


Super 8 & 10 Polytunnels - Northern Polytunnels


Build Your Own Polytunnel - FirstTunnels

[Kristen]

Anyone know if a Glasshouse is inherently more wind resistant that a poly-tunnel? (assuming neither is outrageously flimsy, nor built using iron girders!)

[PurpleBecca]

Dont know technically -but I would say that the plastic is a lot easier/cheaper/safer to replace if it does get damaged. Mine stands up to really extreme conditions onthe side of thehill and is ok - as it has 'give' I would worry that glass doesnt have the flexibilty - but I had my glasshouse in a nice sheltered garden in West Yorkshire - (smile)

[bloomers66]

wow, thanks guys and gals for the response....will keep you posted on what we decide to get and how we get on, but we will bear in mind the notes about wind etc...

[karlandben]

diy green house

i have built my own green house i have started with a ten foot one made from timber and plastic sheeting cost about 70pounds to build and is very productive. i have since been lucky enough for a friend to give me an old double glazed conservatory which i have added to the end of it, its now about 15ft long and very cheap. i have put cucs and toms in it this year with pretty much the same results of last year. it depends how much you want to spend but diy is much cheaper and more satisfying, after all its about saving money not spending it. you can get diy polytunnels off the web i intend to add one or two of these to my plot this year and they allow for all weather and all year gardening

[bloomers66]

?? diy polytunnel

i have built my own green house i have started with a ten foot one made from timber and plastic sheeting cost about 70pounds to build and is very productive. i have since been lucky enough for a friend to give me an old double glazed conservatory which i have added to the end of it, its now about 15ft long and very cheap. i have put cucs and toms in it this year with pretty much the same results of last year. it depends how much you want to spend but diy is much cheaper and more satisfying, after all its about saving money not spending it. you can get diy polytunnels off the web i intend to add one or two of these to my plot this year and they allow for all weather and all year gardening

where do you plan to get your diy tunnel from?? this sounds like a good idea

[Emmy]

Polytunnel size...?

Hi - "long-time reader, first-time poster" as they say!

I have had a great first summer of growing, & many thanks must go to all who make this site such a good resource for people like me!!

I want to carry on growing if I can & want to buy myself a polytunnel - I'm thinking of trying to grow a few salad leaves over the winter months...

My question is, what is the minimum size you might recommend for a first tunnel? It will be stored in my "garden" & living in the city, space is at a real premium!

I don't want to spend my money, then realise what I have is too small to enjoy! Also - what's the best (& cheapest) way of heating a small tunnel?

PS - I am not that confident with wiring & the like etc!!

Thanks - Emmy :-)