Walk in temporary polytunnel?

[Paulieb]

Hi I've been looking at getting a poly tunnel for a while to go in my garden. However that would mean taking down a shed that I don't use which has an asbestos roof (which I know I'd rather just leave).

So for now I'm tempted to get a temporary walk in polytunnel (considering the difference in price) £1000 for a polytunnel or £90 for one of these.

Gardman Walk-in Polytunnel | Coldframes & Greenhouses | StrawberryField.co.uk

I know it won't last as long but can anyone put forward any pros or cons as to getting one, aside the obvious ones of it might blow away, but it'll give me a longer growing season.

Cheers

[Jameslovell]

Hi

I used to have one of these which lasted a good few years. I drilled through the joints and fed thin wire through to stop them coming apart. I think it gave it a bit more stregth in wind. Plus I also weighed the base down with compost bags and slabs. Also a few ground stakes for good measure so blowwing away wasn't my issue with it.

The main problem I found was that the cover started to break down and hole appreared after about a year. The green thread running through the cover was fine, it was the spaces between which failed. The zip also didn't last that long. I ended up using it for storage of things I wanted to keep but wasn't too bothered about it getting wet. The snow last year finished it off with so much weight on the roof.

If you are looking for a short term solution they are fine, but longer term I would look elsewhere. I am going to build my own polytunnel from wood and blue water pipe in the next few months ready for next year. You might want to think along those line as I doubt I will spend too much more than £150 for 12ft by 8ft. Building one your size would be more but no where near £1000 for a bought one.

Hope this helps a bit
J

[Paulieb]

Cheers James - definately food for thought. Would be interested in your design ideas?

As it would happen I do have a fair few metres of the blue pipe that you mention so before I go and spend £90 on the cheapo option, I'll probably have a think about building my own.

At the moment I have some free space and a shed. My big plan is to remove the shed to put in a 20-25ft polytunnel, but at the moment I'm just thinking about a 2-3 year solution for the 'free space', which would probably fit a 10ft*8ft greenhouse or polytunnel.

[Premier Polytunnels]

Hi there Paulieb,

Hope you are well.

The polytunnels you are looking at (with the green cover which includes a roll-up blind door) are only really suitable to be used as temporary covers for short periods of time on sheltered sites – These polytunnels will not stand up to being placed on a permanent site because of the lack of structural stability and the unsuitable polythene covers. They are great for bringing things on for a few weeks in Spring, but they will not stand up to a British Winter. Due to the construction of these polytunnels (as they do not include timber door frames and doors) they might be easier than other polytunnels to dismantle after Spring and rebuild the following Spring, although I appreciate this isn't ideal or live up to the fact that polytunnels can allow you to grow all year round.

Having said that, many people do buy these polytunnels and not all of them have problems with the structure disappearing over the nearest hill in a gust of wind.

The trick to building any polytunnel is to ensure it is well anchored to the ground and that the polythene cover is drum tight - As James said, you really will need to add extra heavy weights to the base of the cover to prevent the framework from lifting in winds.

I don't think the diameter of the hoops are at all big, so if you are going to use the polytunnel over Winter I would recommend making sure that snow is not left to lie on the roof of the polytunnel otherwise you could find the whole thing crumples and collapses. We gently bang on the inside of the polythene cover and use a soft sweeping brush to knock snow off our polytunnels. Some of our customers (in the Scottish Isles) support their polytunnel hoops during Winter/heavy snowfall with timber struts inside the polytunnel, positioned from the ground up to the centre of the hoops - Another great tip to try!

We supply many customers with new polythene covers for all polytunnel frames and we have supplied many people with new covers for these 'green polytunnels'. Customers have said as James has said, that the green cover does not last much longer than a year due to the lack of UV stabilisers within the cover - But if they just want a new cover, then that means the framework is still standing! I'm not sure where replacement covers with zips or roll-up blinds are available from, therefore please bear in mind that if purchasing a new cover from a different polytunnel company than who you purchased the polytunnel from, you will probably need to build a timber door frame (and door) at at least one end of the structure to fix the new cover to.

I hope the above doesn't sound too negative - Many people use these polytunnels and are happy to keep the framework and simply replace the cover when needed.

Don't forget - Ensure it is well anchored to the ground and that the polythene cover is drum tight!

Good luck and let us know how you get on

Deborah (Premier Polytunnels).

[Paulieb]

Ah, this is exactly the type of feedback I was after. Thank for the words of experience.

I know for 90 quid it won't last forever, but it sounds like the best use for longevity would be to store the poly tunnel over winter, which then almost defeats the object of having one, but I'm also so tempted to go for it, weigh it down with more brick than are in my house and see how it goes.

Perhaps I'll just hang fire for now, I do have an 8*10 greenhouse, and other jobs to be getting on with (building a new raised bed, etc), but will keep everyone posted if I get itchy feet and come home with a polytunnel one day.

Thanks again.

[pagan dreams]

i had a 3 meter one from ebay with the white powder coated frame,they now galvanised.mine lasted a year without any problems only took it down as we had moved to a new house on an exposed hill lol,so didnt risk it blowing down.at my last house it did well in the wind as i had erected and buried the covering flaps,and hammerd slim fencing posts inside to attach the frame to for extra strength.ive now sold it as i have a bigger glass house.for what you pay they last well in the right conditions even better now the poles are galvanised and stronger

[roosky]

We are also in the process of building a polytunnel - very early stages, and I'm researching polythene. What kind did you use, how much did you pay, and where did you get it from ?

[Thelma Sanders]

This is brilliant plan for DIY polytunnel
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[Premier Polytunnels]

Roosky,

When it comes to polythene films/polytunnel covers, the preferred cover of UK growers is the Thermal Anti Drip polythene film. (Sometimes called Anti Fog).

The air inside a polytunnel has a high moisture content, causing water to evaporate and form droplets (or fogging) on the inside of the cover. Anti Drip additives within the film prevent large droplets forming and dropping back onto the plants, causing damage and disease to them.

The Thermal effect of the film prevents heat radiation being lost from the polytunnel, therefore maintaining a higher foliage temperature and drier plants, and leading to lower heating costs.

Some films, such as our Thermal Anti Drip, also use mineral additives to diffuse the light entering the polytunnel, ensuring that some light will make its way into the central and more shaded areas of the plants.

If you know the dimensions of the polytunnel, you can calculate the size of cover required by using the Replacement Cover Calculator on our website. Alternatively, please do not hesitate to give the office a call and we can calculate the size of cover needed.

There are, of course, other films available - such as standard polythene, white polythene, mushroom films - However, if you are looking to grow as much as possible undercover, the Thermal Anti Drip really is the one to go for.

Good luck with building your polytunnel. I'm sure the 2012 growing season will be a fantastic one for you in your undercover garden/allotment.

Deborah - Premier Polytunnels.