Polytunnel Path - Cheap and Cheerful

[SarahStrawberry]

Hi All

Preparing for the new polytunnel going up as soon as the weather here settles down and I'm just wondering what everyone used to make a path down the middle of their tunnel.

Our first tunnel has a line of slightly squinty slabs and that has worked ok but it's a bit grey and dull.

In the new one I would like to do something different: gravel, wood, leave a strip of grass to walk on Any thoughts or bright ideas? Having bought the tunnel I'm not feeling particular rich at the moment so if its cheap and cheerful even better. The new tunnel is 4.5m long.

[Alison]

Mine is just pegged down weed membrane, not particularly atractive but works really well and was VERY cheap. I like it as it as in addition to cheapness, was easy to do, lightweight and the only fitting needed involved scissors.

[Kristen]

I just have bare earth I'm afraid. That bit never gets watered, and it is bone dry, rock hard, and works OK.

Not very spivy though, I'm afraid

[denise]

just clearing the area to put mine up, planning to put weed membrane down in the tunnel and surrounding area and then lay bricks on top in tunnel have loads from an Aunts wall that fell down in the wind.

[Dottie]

I don't have a polytunnel, so don't know how well this would work, but what about a thyme path? Not immediate of course, but the smell would be lovely. The cheap and quick way is sheet down, but if you add some strips of wood either side of the path, you can add some pine needles that free.

[Two_Sheds]

a strip of grass to walk on ?

what about a thyme path?

I'm going to plant up my lotty paths with a green manure this year instead of grass (which is a pain to keep mowed - at least the manures will be providing good compost material when I have to shear them)

[Aberdeenplotter]

My tunnel is on a steep slope so anything loose on the pathway would just slide to the bottom. I have used 2ft slabs down the middles. The Tunnel can get very warm amd a sloosh of water down the path makes a huge difference.

[Kristen]

The Tunnel can get very warm amd a sloosh of water down the path makes a huge difference.

That's a good point. Damping Down in summer is a very useful means of cooling, and increasing humidity.

[Hans Mum]

my path down the middle is weed control fabric, covered with wood chippings which i top up as & when, I use scaffolding boards to retain the soil and also means I can keep the beds quite deep

[SarahStrawberry]

Thanks all - great suggestions. I like the idea of a thyme path and also the wood chip. I know we have some woodchip somewhere from when Hydro Electric cut down one of the trees that was close to their cables.

Good point about the sloosh of water down the middle in the summer, ours will be sitting on a slight downhill slope.

[King Carrot]

Thanks all - great suggestions. I like the idea of a thyme path and also the wood chip. I know we have some woodchip somewhere from when Hydro Electric cut down one of the trees that was close to their cables.

Good point about the sloosh of water down the middle in the summer, ours will be sitting on a slight downhill slope.

could always double up as a mudslide - kids would love it

[radioactive]

I am about three quarters through a diy one I have used thermal breeze blocks as my path hasten to add its only 3 metres long internally though in fact I will post here explaining what I have done by the way I love the thyme idea as well
Martyn

[Two_Sheds]

In the new one I would like to do something different:

How about this? It's so beautiful



(from Pinterest)

[VirginVegGrower]

How about this? It's so beautiful

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(from Pinterest)

Very pretty! How about crushed ceramic or terracotta to stop any slimy things crossing???

[andy mckee]

How about this? It's so beautiful

(from Pinterest)

I wouldn't though - if that path stays damp you'll see a lot more woodlice in the tunnel, chomping on your new seedlings!