Polytunnel cover that will last - recommendation needed please!

[vikkib]

Hello all!

I've got a hooped construction on my allotment which is currently covered in netting and housing some brassicas but I'm hoping to turn it into some kind of polytunnel this year.

I've found a website that sells 720 gauge plastic by the metre but before I buy some I thought I'd check if any of the wise Grapes have any suppliers they would recommend?

[SarzWix]

I would calculate how much you need (at least one of the major suppliers has a calculator on their site which tells you which measurements you need) and then just get quotes from all of them. If you're planning to grow over winter as well then a thermal anti-fog type is what you want, if mostly summer stuff like toms then the super-clear type is better. They should offer a 5 year guarantee on the plastic, as long as you've got it on as tight as possible.

[vikkib]

I would calculate how much you need (at least one of the major suppliers has a calculator on their site which tells you which measurements you need) and then just get quotes from all of them. If you're planning to grow over winter as well then a thermal anti-fog type is what you want, if mostly summer stuff like toms then the super-clear type is better. They should offer a 5 year guarantee on the plastic, as long as you've got it on as tight as possible.

Thanks for the info!

It's only quite a small structure which at some point over the next couple of years I'd love to upgrade to a 'proper' poly tunnel so this is a bit of a temporary fix really.

Probably only summer use for now!

I'll get calculating!

[Aberdeenplotter]

1. You won't just need the skin, you will also need anti hot spot tape.

2. Some of the tunnel polythene available is treated on one side so it is important to fit the right side to the outside.

Loads of different suppliers out there. Do a google search and compare specs and prices

[marchogaeth]

^^^^^ What they said. It's worth phoning up the suppliers and talking through what you have and what you might need.

[Hole Digger]

I've had a 720 gauge thermal fog cover from first tunnels for 10 years now, have just removed it to replace with a super clear this time.If you look on there website there is a calculator facility to work out how much you need and how much its going to cost.They are also very helpful if you ring them for advice.

[poly]

I put up 2 temporary poly tunnels last year, I wanted them mainly for tomatoes, peppers, cucumber and melons. The shorter one I covered in a 500 gauge plastic, the other in a 720 clear OVI 5 season cover. Both seem good, obviously the 500 gauge felt thinner but more than adequate for the job. As both are temporary structures I've not used any anti-hotspot tape. The tunnels wouldn't have survived winter weather and gales so I've packed the cover away for the winter. I hope they will both last quite a few seasons, although I don't suppose the thinner one will be so robust.

Lots of companies do covers but in the end I used allplas.co.uk as the sizes they offered matched what I was looking for, and they had a special offer on at the time.

Good luck with our poly tunnel

[vikkib]

I put up 2 temporary poly tunnels last year, I wanted them mainly for tomatoes, peppers, cucumber and melons. The shorter one I covered in a 500 gauge plastic, the other in a 720 clear OVI 5 season cover. Both seem good, obviously the 500 gauge felt thinner but more than adequate for the job. As both are temporary structures I've not used any anti-hotspot tape. The tunnels wouldn't have survived winter weather and gales so I've packed the cover away for the winter. I hope they will both last quite a few seasons, although I don't suppose the thinner one will be so robust.

Lots of companies do covers but in the end I used allplas.co.uk as the sizes they offered matched what I was looking for, and they had a special offer on at the time.

Good luck with our poly tunnel

Oooh! That's a great site - thanks for the link!

I'm thinking of just putting a cover over the hoop structure I have, with no ends on it, to provide a bit of shelter for toms and peppers mainly, maybe a couple of aubergines.

I was planning on buying a length of sheeting and cutting two rectangular pieces, one for each side of the hoops as I have canes running along the top at the middle, then use eyelets along the top and two sides of each piece so that I can attach it to the frame with wire or cable ties so I can remove it over winter and re-use next year!

I'd like to think I'll have a 'proper' polytunnel by then but it could easily be a couple of years before I get it sorted out!

[poly]

To fix my cover I used twine over each hoop, on a diagonal, if that makes sense. It sort of sandwiched the cover between the twine and hoops. Worked well and really handy for the few hot days we had here last year to be able to just pull the cover up to whatever height for added ventilation. Might not be such an issue for you if you are leaving the ends off.