Advice before I start making a mess of it!

[PaddyPolytunnel]

Hi there

I've been reading through threads and seems there is a wealth of information and helpful advice here, so thought I'd see if anyone would have some advice for a novice about to embark on an adventure in plastic

I've ordered a 8' * 15' polytunnel and hope to grow some different veg. From what I am reading I think I will go for raised beds, over a permeable groundsheet (part of order). Not sure what type of wood to get for that, or what height/depth they should be in terms of soil (first question!)

I guess when to plant, what to plant, and anything else a novice should know about tunnels (2nd, 3rd, 4th questions!). I have 2 cats, so was thinking of a wire fence around the perimeter too. Chicken wire seems to have been mentioned in a few threads. Is it the best bet?

And one more - the area where I plan to put it is lawn now. Should I take up the sods first? (will be putting a permeable groundsheet)

Many thanks!

[-pat m]

Hi Paddy Good luck on the plastic adventure you are embarking on.
I am amazed that you haven’t been inundated with responses to your query, as there is an incredible amount of knowledge here on the vine…. unfortunately I am a recipient of that knowledge rather than a giver!
I have a poly tunnel too and one of the best bits of advice can be found here, from what I see it is all about planning and maximising your space, as a real amateur I say think about what you like and see if there is a plan to fit it all in - until I visited this website I went off information from the occasional magazine and backs of packets of seeds (not much family knowledge to call on from a south east London yard!). I would suggest you make a basic plan of the things you want to grow and then ask specific questions around them here on the vine. The search facility is also really good one - and is a great library of info.
I may be able to help with the cat question…or maybe not! I have three cats and lots of chickens I keep the chickens out with a three foot fence but my cats can find their way in without any trouble but to be honest I haven’t found any damage that they have caused - my killing machine a black & beautiful Siamese even has the decency to pee in-between rows.
I put my tunnel up on my paddock which was very fertile grassland and I removed every trace of grass and rotovated like mad, I was then given a huge bag of green manure seeds which made the plot look like a rich green carpet before I rotovated it all in and a month later then I put in my first over winter crops (by then it was November)

Well best of luck I wish you well

Regards
Pat

[PaddyPolytunnel]

Pat,

Thanks so much for the response. You have answered exactly what i was looking for to start. That other post is very good too - although I am going to have to go look up what a 'Potager style' is (Yes, I am a complete novice!)
My idea with the fence was as much to stop the cats using the edges as a scratching post as I know a cat will get whereever a cat wants to go - nothing a mere human can do about that :-)

No doubt I will be back asking more whenever the tunnel arrives (about another week I'd say), but thanks for an excellent start.