Polytunnel Excitement

[OverWyreGrower]

I am now very excited as we are going to order our polytunnel soon!

We are (hopefully) going to visit the First Tunnels site/allotment tomorrow to get a feel for how big the one we want actually is, as I'm not much good at visualising size, and Mr OWG wants to see what he's got to do in terms of putting it together.

We're hopefully going to have it delivered before Easter, then use our Easter break to put it up - meaning that I can decant all my seedlings etc to the tunnel and my kitchen won't be full of seed trays anymore!

I'm so excited, and everyone at work thinks I'm slightly mental (so what's new there!)

[petal]

yes, I have decided to order a polytunnel from the same place. I was thinking of getting 12ft by 15ft. i am hoping it will really extend the season.

[SarzWix]

Is that the one in Barrowford OWG? You won't be so far from me then.
I bet you're excited, I would be too Can we have pics when you get it up?

[OverWyreGrower]

Hi all

We popped over to Barrowford on Saturday morning (would have popped in for a cuppa Sarzwix if I'd known you were up that way!) to chat to the First Tunnels peeps...

They were very helpful, and gave us lots of information. Mr OWG was highly impressed with the tunnels they showed us, and is now quite excited about it all.

The only downside is that we won't have it up for Easter as they have a 2-3 week lead time on delivery as they are so busy!!! But at least we can get the ground prepared and ready for the tunnel.

We've got to save up a bit more money for it, as we've decided to get a base rail kit to save us digging a huge trench all the way round, but that's ok, my mum have offered to put some pennies towards it!

I'll take lots of pictures... I've got so much planned for the area that it's going to sit in, including a living willow fence and an extension to the chicken/bird run.... now all I need is a lottery win!

[SarzWix]

Sounds good I love their website, with the virtual tunnel being built as you choose options. Very clever!
Shame about not getting it done for Easter, but it means you won't be rushing to get the ground sorted. Can't wait to see pics...

[Duronal]

Congratulations on the tunnel, having just finished my own maybe a can offer some practical advice.

When you're putting the frame up get lots of people to help, you'll need at least 3 people and expect it to take a good 3 hours.

Once the frame is up the plastic is comparitively easy to put up (don't try to put it up if theres anything more than a breath of wind) this should take 2 hours or so to get up and secure (again if you can bribe some extra hands to help then you'll appreciate it). My tunnel uses the trenching method and it was a little labour intensive but it was very easy to secure.

Best of luck for the build

D

[LittleBear]

a couple of things..

if your getting anchor plates for your tunnel make sure u let them settle or u'll either have a squinty tunnel or have to dig them back up again.

also even though i used base rails, i found i had to tighten the polythene so i wouldnt reccomend trimming immediatley

watch your fingers on the screws th join the metal poles together as they'ra a bugger to get going into the metal.

oh and don't throw away the spare plastic they made for good blinds to keep the wind out on cooler days.

just a few things i came across while putting up mine.

Hope it all goes well.

[Lorraine70]

I know just how excited you are, as I bought my first polytunnel from First Tunnels this time last year! Mines a 10ft x 15ft, and as I live in an extremely windy part of the country paid the extra for the storm brace kit and anchor plate kit. It has survived gale force winds so I would highly recommended them! I bought the base rail kit and the polythene was a doddle to put on and tighten (do it on a very still day though!). My husband and I did it between us which we are very proud of!!