I've got a Polytunnel!

[WiZeR]

When I got my allotment nearly a year ago I noticed there was a couple of large polytunnels at the end of the site. I later learned that they were disused. A previous plot holder had given them up due to poor health. All through the year I hinted to the committee that I was interested.

Recently the allotment secretary told me that I could have one! Allthough there was a few conditions. I had to take the one that was damaged! I also had to take on the adjoining plot.

It is roughly 5m x 10m (16x32ft)



It all looks rather ramshackle but it's quite sturdy



This is the damage



It looks prety severe, but I'm sure I can sort it out. I have a few ideas but I would apprecieate any comments or advice.

more pics here if anyone is interested (the polytunnel with the balloons is sadly not mine)

I intend to grow mainly peppers, aubergines, toms, chilis and maybe something exotic like a lemon tree. I have ordered a copy of Bernard Salt's book too... Can't wait to get going.

[Earthbabe]

Wow Wizer. Even with the damage it looks fab. I'm jealous of course because I don't have one which means I'm not in a position to offer advice but will follow the thread to see what comes. May be useful if I ever get one of my own.

A girl can dream ...

[yoanbob]

wow wizzer you are soooo lucky, how exiting, no advice i'm afraid but very exited for you.

[sewer rat]

Wizer
Congrats and well done on geting a polytunnel and another plot - not so long ago you were posting as a novice !!!
Suggest you measure up your ploytunnel, then visit either www.firsttunnels.co.uk or www.northernpolytunnels.co.uk as both these companies can advise over the web or over the phone, and can supply new covers. There are loads of other tunnel companies who should be able to assist you too. Other than that, I shall defer to those who actually own a tunnel at the moment - I'm waiting til next year for mine

[WiZeR]

Thanks guys, a whole new plot is daunting as I didnt even get to cultivate all of my current one yet.

I am hoping to repair rather than completely recover. just need to come up with a clever plan of action.

[sewer rat]

Wizer
You can get special tape to repair the polycover of your tunnel - again the sites should assist or failing that, I know that there are Grapes who will advise - failing that, use silver gaffer tape (duct tape ?) - it's bloody good stuff - it is currently holding two panes of my greenhouse together ( and has been all year!!)

[dexterdoglancashire]

Brill! well done wizer! I'm jealous! DDL

[nick the grief]

Hi Wizer.

Weldone on both!! That is a really good size & has lots of opurtunities. Looking at the damage I would guess that there wasn't any anti hotspot tape put on the frame & this has caused the poly cover to break down where it comes into contact with the frame.

I wouldn't bother repairing it as it wouldnt be worth it - it will almost certainly go somewhere else. Instead Invest in tsome of the Hotspot tape & put that all over the frame & then buy yourself a new cover. like Rat says. I will be the best in the long run as you'll be able to get it nice & tight.

[JennieAtkinson]

Congrats Wizer - I'm sure you will not regret it!

I can't see from the photo, but is it a bad rip? I've got a bad one down the back of mine and am currently cleaning it very carefully. I tried duct tape on and the usual polytunnel tape but it wasn't sticking. So I've cleaned it all with fairy liquid and water and now have cleaned it with white spirit, so it is looking very clean and hope to get OH on one side of it, and me on the other on Saturday to get a good adhesion and we wil use the polytunnel tape. I'll let you know how I get on.

In the first 24 hours I had my tunnel I put the fork through the plastic. I know ......... I just couldn';t believe that I did it. Digging up a docken inside, leant on the fork, the fork handle broke, I fell on my back and the fork went through the plastic. The reason I am tell you this is that the repair I did that day with the normal polytunnel tape is as good as new and has never given any cause for concern. I think this was because the plastic was so new. So I'm doing a great cleaning job to see if this will help the current rip.

Let us know what you decide to do. And happy planting!

[WiZeR]

thanks guys, I really can't believe I've got it.

Unfortuneately recovering it is just not an option, it would costs more than £200.

Maybe next year I will re-cover after, hopefully, a successful season.

I'm pretty sure I can come up with a way to repair it, even if it only lasts one year.

[WiZeR]

PS: I'd love to hear from anyone who has found a cheap supplier of polythene, tape, etc.

[JennieAtkinson]

I can't see from the photo, but is it a bad rip?

What a stupid comment! Just looked at the photo on the computer at work, obviously far better resolution!

Good Luck Wizer - let me know how you get on and what you use.

[Mrs Dobby]

Congrats on the poly tunnel Wizer! I can sympathise with the sentiments of wanting to repair it as cheaply as possible, everything on our plot is being done as cheap as possible cos we dont have much spare cash! Fraid I cant offer any advice re the tunnel, as we dont have one, but I'd try Nick or Lesleys suggestion of tape and see how you go! Good luck anyhows, from another jealous grape!

[JennieAtkinson]

Wizer
I got some 4" wide tape from First Tunnels which is working very nicely.

I got a selection of 2", and 4" rolls and have patched my rip first with 2" pieces lying across the rip and then covered the lot with 4". It looks pretty sturdy. The 4" tape was £5 a roll for 10 metres. Thought that was pretty reasonable.

[WiZeR]

where did u get it from Jennie?