Buying a polytunnel - opinions please

[Beki]

I've got a budget of £500 (a gift!) to buy myself a longed-for polytunnel! ;D

I can't buy it until probably the end of January, but when i do buy it i'd like something that's going to be as productive as possible obviously.

I've heard that the wider the tunnel, the better. That it's preferable to have a short, wide tunnel than a long, thin one.

I was originally thinking of a 10' x 20' tunnel, but am now thinking that a 12' wide might be better.

I've seen one on 'first tunnels' which is 12' x 25' with crop bars and double doors one end and single the other end for £477 inc. delivery! I think that's quite a bargain compared to a lot of others i've seen.

I'd ideally like a 14' wide tunnel, but i can't find one including the crop bars (i'd really like the crop bars to make it easier to string up crops and put up hanging baskets etc) for less than £500

Does the 12' x 25' sound ok? Or should i forego the crop bars and get a 14' wide tunnel instead?

[bravo2zero]

Get as wide a tunnel as poss. Forget the crop bars i have wires suspended from eyes in the door frames and jubilee clips on the hoops themselves. Go for it youll not regret it.

[nigel]

I can recommend a Solar Tunnel.

Polytunnels and Greenhouse Hybrids from Solar Tunnels based in Sussex

They are a bit more expensive, but they are strong and likley to last longer than a poly tunnel.

The skin is double thickness with a rip stop bonded inside.

The biggest advantage I have found is that you do not have to embed the sheet in the ground, it clamps to the side frame. You can pick the whole thing up - frame, doors and top sheet and relocate it. (asuming you can round up a few willing hands to lift it.)

[nick the grief]

The crop bars will help stiffen the frame up but not sure they are essential unless you suffer with wind (not you personally)

I hope to be getting a 20 x12 myself but i''ll probably get it from Citadel as they are reasonably local to me.

A short wide one is better than a long narrow one (ooo errr) but you can always have netting sides and that will help ventilation as will a ventilated roof bar (I'm thinking of experimenting with a computer fan, some solar cells and a bit of drain piping )

[Lovage]

Wow - I'm jealous! a decent polytunnel is sooo useful

Shorter and wider would be easier to ventilate
Whichever one you get dont forget the Hot Spot Tape - insulates frame from cover and gives you 2 extra years life

[Beki]

thanks for the advice everyone! xx

[poly]

[QUOTE=Beki;584214]I've got a budget of £500 (a gift!) to buy myself a longed-for polytunnel! ;D

That's a nice budget, I don't know if anyone has any sales on in January but might be worth keeping an eye.

I've got a couple of tunnels from 1sttunnels and they have been great, although not the cheapest.

One is 20'x10', which is a great size, double doors one end, single the other with a central path with raised beds to each side (although I do end up treading on the beds usually when picking crops). Ventilation is pretty good although it can get quite hot.

The other is 20'x36', double doors one end and tilting vents the other (not sure of the proper name) great size and useful cropping space, which I've split into 3 with raised beds. It gets hotter in this tunnel, bordering on too hot, so I may add part net sides if and when I have the funds.

I've got crop bars and corner stabilisers on both as it gets quite windy here , but if you are sheltered maybe you would not need them.

I think double doors are well worth it, good access and ventilation.

Fantastic, you won't know yourself