Polytunnel Plastic

[Hyacinth]

Hi!

I'm looking for a bit of advice about the sort of plastic to put on my polytunnel which is at the planning stage at the moment. We have rather a windy location in west Wales and need something fairly robust. I am a bit baffled by all the different sorts of plastic that are available & want to make sure I go for the right type as it is quite expensive.
There are clear ones, anti-fogging types & ones that prevent condensation from dripping on the plants etc.

I would be very pleased to hear anyone elses experiences on this, and also where would be a good place to buy from?

[nick the grief]

Hi Hyacinth (surnames not Bookay is it ) I'd go for the best you can afford, not knowing what exactly you are going to grow in your tunnel.

It definately needs to be UV treated else if won't last. The anti fogging stuff I've never used but it does get hot in a polytunnel as they can't be ventilated like a greenhouse, so if the plastic goes milky, that will only be a problem around now when light levels are low.

The anti drip coating doesn't last indefinatley but whilst it does it can stop drips , a nuisance if they go down you neck but fatal if they ke going on a plant in the cold of winter as it can finish them off!

Hope this helps

PS Don't forget Anti Hotspot tape if you have a metal frame as this is where it will go first!

[Tigger]

Try Northen Tunnels. When we put up our 2 tunnels at the end of 2004, they offered the best deal for plastic, tape, etc.

Let me know if you want their 'phone number.

[Tigger]

Sorry - duff information.

It was National Polytunnel Ltd in Preston, Lancashire.

Telephone number 01772 799200.

[pigletwillie]

There about £30 cheaper for my tunnel cover compared to First tunnels