Large Poly Tunnel ..I am a little scared

[-pat m]

I have a large 90ft x30ft and 10 ft tall Poly tunnel which I bought second hand last summer I managed to save the cover and will give it a try this year and replace if not good enough (it is nice and supple still with no tears). I have located the tunnel in my paddock which I think is a little too shaded with near by trees but will see how it goes; I also have 50 persistent Orpington and Amberlink chickens ready to break in at every opportunity (which has happened twice and set back my spring cabbages and broccoli!!) I now have fort Knox security and feel my chicken raid days are over).
My Fear now is time; It was a great idea to use the space but just the enormity of the project is starting to put a little tarnish on the whole scheme. I look at my plan and seem to have decided to use every little space throughout the whole year. Please can some one tell me not to worry and get on with it or have you experienced this and decided to scale down and bite off what I can chew!!
I realise it is a nice quandary to have but should I plough on or take a step back?
Advice would be appreciated!

Pat

[Stacey Steve]

Personally I would plough on. If it all starts to get too crowded, then so you scrap or give away a few plants.

I certainly was over ambitious the second year of having my allotments. I started hell of a lot of plants off but due to circumstances did not have enough beds ready to accept them.

Did some makeshift things but a lot of the plants came to nothing and much to the delight of some other plot holders, they got free plants.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

[RedThorn]

Even the greatest of journeys begins with a single step!

Just tackle a bit at every opportunity you get and never look at what still needs doing.
If you look back at what you've accomplished, you'll see your progress and hopefully spur you on to tackle even more!!!

Must admit...I'm green with envy! Go for it! and enjoy

[sewer rat]

Hi Pat
Working a large tunnel is not that difficult, and you will be surprised at just how quickly you can fill it. It's probably easier for me as I grow large quantities of a smaller number of crops to supply my box scheme etc, but you just need to go about it all logically.
First, decide if you want to put raised beds in. This will help define the growing areas for each crop and make any crop rotation easier in the future.
Then decide waht crops you want to grow, and which ones require either more space or more importantly, more height eg toms and cukes, as you will have to bear in mind the shading effect these plants will have, though this in itself can be used to keep certain crops cooler.
You also need to make space allowance for successional sowings.
I'll get back with more later, gotta go as baby daughter has just woken from nap and is bawling the house down.