I have my cheap polytunnel, so what now?? :)

[tlck9]

This is all new to me. I have a new cheapo polytunnel from ebay, errected today and hopefully will stay there as long as the coastal winds dont get too mad

So what do I do now....what to plant and what to dig, do people use a combination of planting into the soil and tubs, or just planting?

Any ideas most welcome as I've never had something like this before

I would like to do chillies and tomotoes, my OH got sick of seeing chilli plants around the house and my tomotoes got wind swept even by the house wall, and my sweet corn on the allotment well, good for the chucks but without the wind protection I;ve now erected was horizontal....

[Scottishnewbie]

no idea what you do now, but hopefully i'll get one for my birthday in a few weeks so i'll be watching this thread with interest!

[zazen999]

First things first - is it weighed down around all the edges and the frame secure?
I'd have a path down the middle, or 2 with 3 long beds and get sowing.

I'd sow into the trays that you see in garden centres being given away for free, and place them onto the soil for now, whilst you are preparing the soil for growing.

But also, spend some time in this board; to see what people are doing and how.....

[tlck9]

Yes,, i hope its secure...I dug it in about six inches, and lay the poly over and into a trench about 6inches by 6inches. I've then built up the soil around the edges to cover the first bar.

I had some old fishing nets I rescued from the beach and have over one end, ran this over the top and pegged it down, just to give it a bit more protection from the elements.

Good point about planting into trays! hadnt thought about doing that and then transplanting them later one the soil is sorted..thanks

As I said very new to all this, although had a share of an allotment since april 09, have only just got my own fully fledged one in October I am on a steep learning curve

[RickinDarwen]

Good luck, last year my cheapo tunnel started out badly and got worse. It was flattened before my toms had ripened.

Not urinating on anyone's parade but if it is the same type as the one I got don't expect too much.

[tlck9]

we've had some wind and its holding up okay. But being on the coast, these were pretty tame compared to proper winds.

Its going okay, but I'm trying to see what is best planted in pots and what can go in the earth and have to make the most of the space.

I'd like to grow melons, but not sure when I should do that?

[billnben]

Hi Tick
I also bought a PT on ebay, put it up on Wednesday, not sure if it is still there? if you have any strange sightings in the sky please pm me. Wish you lots of success with your PT mat the sun always shine.

[kiwirach]

i'm hoping to get one of these soon. a guy on my allotment site has one and it has been fine over the winter, survived the snow etc. he banged in some study wooden corner posts and secured the frame to those as well as whatever the manufacturers suggest.

can i ask, did you put it up yourself, or did you need help?.

[Patchninja]

Best of luck with your tunnel, Tick. I'm trying melons fr the first time this year so we'll see!
You'll enjoy being nice and snug in your tunnel while the wind and rain are lashing outside!

[billnben]

Put it up myself but would be easier with two, the one I purchased had a frame of 1" galvanised steel which is bolted together, I used 3 x 2 paving slabs and anchored the frame to them.

[tlck9]

i'm hoping to get one of these soon. a guy on my allotment site has one and it has been fine over the winter, survived the snow etc. he banged in some study wooden corner posts and secured the frame to those as well as whatever the manufacturers suggest.

can i ask, did you put it up yourself, or did you need help?.

The one from ebay, and i've noticed similar ones to mine, was put up like a tent frame and then the cover went over. I reckon my OH would have been abel to do it on his own as long as it wasnt windy.

I have since placed several pieces of 2x1 on each leg and in between securing them into the ground and then tying them to the frame. We are a windy site and therefore do not want it all to fly away.

The cover was dug in around 6inches deep and secrued with mud and should have slabs to ensure the mud doesnt come away in a heavy wind.

So far so good

[Dead Dogs]

I ordered a Haygrove Garden Tunnel, should be turnning up this week, can hadly wait. This tunnel is all galvenised steel, which is anchored by 800mm by 14mm diameter pegs. 4 per each 2m section. Hoping this will be OK as it can get very windy here in the far north.