Things You Do Want To See In Your Polytunnel

[VirginVegGrower]

Companion thread =
http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...nel_65589.html


Sorry March, but I liked your title so much

I have planted my tomatoes in there, a couple of cucumbers, peppers in pots nestle amongst the toms. I have planted a vine. Intend to plant a fig and have sown some lettuce leaves. What else do you more experienced polytunnel growers put in yours? I'm looking for inspiration...

[taff]

I'm not experienced, i just threw it all in. As above with chillies, strawberries - not good, the mice/rats/ants ate them all, basil, aubergines, sweetcorn, butternuts, squash, and in some tanks, celery, it did really well in a moist boggy soil.

[marchogaeth]

Sorry March, but I liked your title so much

It's cool, sincerest form of flattery I believe.
Look so much to like.

[marchogaeth]

What else do you more experienced polytunnel growers put in yours? I'm looking for inspiration...

VVG The answer is "everything you can possibly think of" - it's a whole new experience. If I was you, I wouldn't be rushing to put permenent things in there too quickly. You might lose flexibilty and regret it later. Have you got the book I consider my bible?

It's really good for planning. My hungry gap is so full, I actually sold stuff to the local whole food shop last week and will again this week. A real boost after all those weeks when it felt like nothing was going to grow in the garden. (Probably still won't and we'll be buying somebody else's stuff later in the year.)

[OverWyreGrower]

I've got melons (Emir) and sweet potatoes (bought as plants, not slips), 6 kinds of Basil, 11 varieties of tomatoes, 5 kinds of chilli, cucumbers and peppers...

I'm going to establish a permenant strawberry bed in there too at some point this year

[chris]

If I had a poly, I'd just like to see lush veg growth in it

I get a real life "like" sensation when I see a veg plot/gh/poly stuffed with veg growth

[Dead Dogs]

Hi VVG,

You've been busy in your new Haygrove then.

Currently I have Potatoes, Courgettes, Broad Beans, Peas, Cabbage, Sprouts, Lettuce, Radish, spinage and Chard. Some garlic which were missed after drying and onions in a grow bed/bag moved from the greenhouse so I could get some of my Toms in there. .

Toms didn't do well last year in the poly and the chilli all died. I got some very large Parsnips from the poly for SHMBO, I hate the stuff.

Basically anything and everything

[VirginVegGrower]

Hi VVG,

You've been busy in your new Haygrove then.

Currently I have Potatoes, Courgettes, Broad Beans, Peas, Cabbage, Sprouts, Lettuce, Radish, spinage and Chard. Some garlic which were missed after drying and onions in a grow bed/bag moved from the greenhouse so I could get some of my Toms in there. .

Toms didn't do well last year in the poly and the chilli all died. I got some very large Parsnips from the poly for SHMBO, I hate the stuff.

Basically anything and everything

Yes, 'fraid so although I'm alarmed that your tomatoes didn't do well last year. What happened? Or do I not want to know?!
I sowed courgette and squash patty pan yesterday. Might go for peas and some beans then

[Alison]

At the moment I've got the last couple of spring cabbages which I overwintered in there, new pots, the remains of some chard, peas, mange tout, hanging basket toms (just planted out) carrots, broad beans and some salad stuffs. I will be adding loads more toms (in the borders), cucs, aubergines, sweet peppers, chillies, sweet potatoes etc. In the autumn I'll be adding more brassicas, spinach, salad stuffs and spring onions. There's probably other stuff but it's pretty rare I have any empty space in there. Have had courgettes in there in the past but they take up too much space and I think OH might leave me if I force feed him as many as I did last year

[VirginVegGrower]

Oh crikey and I've just sown courgettes Peas, French beans and some squash tomorrow.

[Dead Dogs]

Yes, 'fraid so although I'm alarmed that your tomatoes didn't do well last year. What happened? Or do I not want to know?!

I don't think you need to worry, your a little south of me. I think I planted them out a little early and they caught a cold. That and a green fly infection which seam to take forever to shake off.

[VirginVegGrower]

Second side is finished as of this morning, so it's beans, peas and figs from me

[VirginVegGrower]

I'm not experienced, i just threw it all in. As above with chillies, strawberries - not good, the mice/rats/ants ate them all, basil, aubergines, sweetcorn, butternuts, squash, and in some tanks, celery, it did really well in a moist boggy soil.

Taff, can I ask what you mean by tanks please as I've got lots of celery to
plant and I might try this.

Also has anyone sown carrots in a polytunnel and if so have you had to cover them still?

[marchogaeth]

Also has anyone sown carrots in a polytunnel and if so have you had to cover them still?

Yes, carrots are brilliant. I didn't net mine and had no probs with fly but I start them all off in loo rolls and then plant out so there are no spaces and no weeding near them so there is little to attract the bugs. If you start one lot of seed of when the previous gets its first tru leaves you virtually have a constant supply of baby carrots. (This just about works with synodic sowing.)

[VirginVegGrower]

Yes, carrots are brilliant. I didn't net mine and had no probs with fly but I start them all off in loo rolls and then plant out so there are no spaces and no weeding near them so there is little to attract the bugs. If you start one lot of seed of when the previous gets its first tru leaves you virtually have a constant supply of baby carrots. (This just about works with synodic sowing.)

Ooh I'm liking that idea...those brassicas of yours above are stinking...goat poo?!?