new first tunnel polytunnel

[adamhartree]

hi all, i have just brought a new 10x15ft polytunnel from first tunnels and am waiting for it to be delivered. i has just wondering if anyone has brought from them before and what are they like to erect. they stait its not that hard to do but some one has told me they are. just wanted some advice if anyone has any.
thanks

[chris]

I'm not sure how difficult they are to put up, I'm sure that they'll be more than happy to advise you though (first tunnels). I've read a lot about their customer service, and how people are pleased with them..

Someone from another firm posts on here, who may give you some pointers if (s)he reads this thread.

If your site is exposed and very windy, you may want either to sort a wind break type structure/hedge/whatever if you're not confident of the install, or get it professionally installed. Personally, I'd get a pro in to do it.. it's not like a greenhouse which is easy to weight down (glass wise)... but that's just me

[adamhartree]

thanks chris for your advice. i looked at getting it profesionaly installed but it could cost £450 for them to put it up and the tunnel only cost £400 to buy so that is out of the question really. will keep an eye out for this other person your on about.
thanks

[squibbs]

I have a 35x14ft polytunnel from First Tunnels. The customer service is very good indeed. I am a cheapskate and so was determined to do it myself.

Its worth watching the how to videos (on their web site and I think also on youtube). Digging the foundation tube holes was an effort (hard clay soil) and getting the holes all in the right place also an effort - and involved some swearing. Once that was done the rest was more straightforward. Although there are things (such as the doors) you can do on your own you really do need a helper to make things work smoothly.

It took about 3 weekends to get the frame up - I expect it could be done in 2 if we hadn't got the holes in the wrong place! The polythene was relatively straight forward (we had aluminium rails - but still dug in the excess)

It was well worth it though - sitting in the calm warm polytunnel when the wind is raging outside is lovely and the chickens can't eat my veggies any more either!

[chris]

I'm thinking of getting one on my site.. Probably not a large one, I'm thinking maybe 20' in length tops, as I've only half a plot.

£450 is a lot to pay, I guess yes - but as with everything you do get what you pay for. For me now, after farting around with my greenhouse I realise my time is precious heh.

[chris]

Squibbs - do you postfix or concrete the frame in? Video is loading.. comeonnnnnnnnnnnnn so slow this works connection

[OverWyreGrower]

Digging the foundation tube holes was an effort (hard clay soil) and getting the holes all in the right place also an effort - and involved some swearing. Once that was done the rest was more straightforward. Although there are things (such as the doors) you can do on your own you really do need a helper to make things work smoothly.

It took about 3 weekends to get the frame up - I expect it could be done in 2 if we hadn't got the holes in the wrong place! The polythene was relatively straight forward (we had aluminium rails - but still dug in the excess)

I would agree with this... digging the holes was a real labour of love.... then you have to fill them in again - argh!!

Also, there would be no way on earth you could get the tunnel up and finished in a weekend, or even 2, without quite a bit of help... It took us 4 weekends (me and Mr OWG) to finish ours (30ft long). If you have the help of some strapping blokes, at least one at 6ft to help with the tall bits; that would be a bonus!

[OverWyreGrower]

Squibbs - do you postfix or concrete the frame in? Video is loading.. comeonnnnnnnnnnnnn so slow this works connection

Neither - we have baseplates, and you dig a 1ft square hole (level on all sides etc), drop in the plate and tube and fill it in again. I suspect you could concrete them in if you really wanted, but don't see the point. We are right on the coast in a horribly windy area, and our tunnel has been fine for the last coupld of years!

[adamhartree]

hi chris,
yes you can concrete the frame in but if you are going to do that you dont need to buy the anchor plates aparently. i have spent the last 2 days with my brother putting mine up, i just have to put the cover on tomorrow then its done. it wasnt as hard to erect as i thought the hardest part was lineing the doors corectly. ps- it will be the last time i hold the nail for my brother,took a chunk out my thumb i dont think my colourful language was quites as nesesery though lol

[chris]

Pictures?!?!?

[adamhartree]

hi chris, i havent took any as yet but when i go tomorrow i will take some pictures of it finished, with any hope the rain will hold off for a few hours so i can get it done.

[chris]

Just looked at those anchoring plates, brilliant idea, going to steal that the next time I build a bean frame . Polytunnels are a lot cheaper than greenhouses, grr for the price of my greenhouse I could have had a nice sized polytunnel!

[OverWyreGrower]

Polytunnels are a lot cheaper than greenhouses, grr for the price of my greenhouse I could have had a nice sized polytunnel!

That's why, when we demolished our old, wooden greenhouse; we ended up with a polytunnel. To replace the size of greenhouse would have cost thousands, plus getting someone in to build it. However we got a 30ft tunnel, base plates, irrigation system and storm bracing for about £600 (they did have a discount on, but still!)

[Alison]

I've got a First Tunnels one, put it up over a few weekends last spring and have used it ever since for both summer and winter crops. We didn't want to use concrete on the lottie (no idea if it's frowned on but it doesn't seem right to me) so used the base plates and it was blooming hard work but at least we'll not have to do that again. We went for base rails so that it was easier to tension the cover and then we won't have to do any digging when we recover. Just in case you haven't read my other posts on the subject, I really LOVE my tunnel, everything grows so quickly, my early mangetout have already finished and I'm currently harvesting peas, potatoes and various cabbages as well as having other summer crops coming on well. Mine is 10' by 20' and I could fill it twice over. It was the largest I could sensibly put on the plot without taking up valuable outdoor space but even more space would be nice

[squibbs]

We also used anchorplates - no concreting - runs the risk of being regarded as permanent and possibly attracting planning permission issues and besides its as solid as it needs to be - we are quite exposed and windy and the polytunnel is clearly going nowhere.