Tunnel layout question

[bario1]

I'm getting a 6x12 foot polytunnel, and wondered if there was any other possible layout than a two foot path running down the middle between the two doors? The options seem limited in such a narrow space, but the obvious solution is not always the only one!

Cheers.

[chris]

SarzWix did sort of an 'E' shaped layout I believe, I think that she got more more area to plant in that way.

Edit: SW has some pics in her album: http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...24-beds-6.html

Hope she doesn't mind me posting the link to 'em

[Bigmallly]

If it only has one door then 2 beds down the side plus one at the end would work, if it has 2 doors & you want to use both then 2 beds would be the only option. You could put some staging above the beds to give you extra growing area plus hanging baskets for tumbling toms.

[redser]

I think with one that size (small) having one thin path down the middle would be best. But you could make it like a U with a bed running across the end. People say to make the path wide enough to get a wheel barrow down but seeing as yours is relatively small I would make it very narrow, just so you can walk down it and maximise the rest of the space for growing. It wont be too much bother to carry stuff (manure etc) 10-12 feet in buckets every so often.

[bario1]

Thanks for the input, guys. I do have some 2ft wide slabs that i could use as a path, but that does limit the bed depth to 2ft as well. There will be doors at either end, but i'll only be using one of them for access, the other will butt up against the back edge of my plot, and wouldn't neccessarily have to function as a door, but i thought maybe it would be good to be able to open it inwards for ventilation on hot days. Mind you, i live in Scotland, so maybe i'm dreaming! I can see the benefits of a narrower path, but might it make it quite uncomfortable to work in?

[VirginVegGrower]

U Shape if you have one door. I have two, so opted for the standard path down the middle. The E shape gave me no greater area when I plotted it. Some folks have three beds with two paths in, but you have to have a wider tunnel for that. You could have a central path and stepping stone it, so you can step over squares of low growing crop like salad leaves or herbs, but if you want wheelbarrows in or hoses that won't work.
Our path is around 500mm. In Winter I can stand pots on it.

[lottie dolly]

Have you thought about using a stepping stone arrangement,you only want enough to hold your feet,from a personal point of view,having 2 smaller 6ft wides ones,i did not feel the need for a wheel barrow inside during the growing season,as any composing material can simply be placed in a bucket,think about what you could get in that extra space,have a play with large containers ,just to give you an idea of space,or make a scale drawing,cut out circles to represent the space a plant takes up,it will give you an idea what is best for you to work with,then make any adjustments another time,have fun and happy growing

[redser]

Whatever you decide, it's not set in stone. I've changed mine completely 3 times and it wasn't difficult to do I settled on the U shape with a thin path. I found I always wanted more growing space. I have a thick board that I lay down on the beds to stand on when needs be.

[bario1]

I won't be using a wheelbarrow in there, so stepping stones might work... i don't want working in it to feel like some kind of highwire act though! What are people's thoughts on the second door? Is it worth keeping it clear so it can be used for ventilation? Or does it never heat up enough in Northern Britain to make that neccessary?

[veggiechicken]

Instead of putting your paving slabs down in a row, butting against each other, you could put them down diamond fashion, just corners touching. That way you have a continuous path, but you use less slabs and gain more growing space.

[redser]

You'll need air flowing through it alright. Whether you use that other door as a door, or a window is up to you. I have a door at one end. At the other end it is a fixed gable, but I have panels that I can take out when needed. It's also dangerous to only have one end open. If strong wind gets up it has to have somewhere to get out or it could blow the tunnel apart. So what is the door like? Is it solid plastic covering? Windbreak? Bit of both?

[bario1]

I haven't got it yet, but both doors will have a polythene lower part and a (smaller) mesh upper part.

[redser]

Ah you'll be grand so. The mesh will alow some air to circulate. In the height of summer if there is no strong wind you can just prop one door open if you want. Temps in tunnels can get rediculously high when there is no cloud cover. Even during parts of winter!!

[VirginVegGrower]

I haven't got it yet, but both doors will have a polythene lower part and a (smaller) mesh upper part.

That's what I have on mine and it's quite handy. It does cool it down when you can have airflow.
I nearly had a U shape but I do find having both doors is a good thing for me personally. I do make use of the trellis wires and have hanging shelves which my seedlings are currently housed on. This is where I grow my peppers in pots come summer.

[bario1]

Hanging shelves sound good - do you have any pictures?