Help me decide please

[veggiechicken]

I see your polytunnels full of crops and I'm jealous and want one BUT my only space would be in amongst trees, not very level and at the furthest part of the garden (watering issues).
I'm also professionally incompetent at constructing anything and would be unable to put one up on my own or add extra support to it.
I can either:-
1. buy a cheap "blowaway" -just to see how I get on with it (knowing that it probably will blowaway during the year
2. buy a proper PT (but accept that it will need a new cover in 5 years or so
3. buy a much smaller greenhouse (my 3rd in that garden)
4. try to improvise something with plastic pipe and polythene
5. do nothing!

What would you do?

[redser]

Well I wouldn't assume anything when it comes to the size of a persons bank account. But if you can afford it you could buy one and have them put it up for you. There is the DIY route too, much cheaper but still sturdy and will last years. The covers can last a lot more than 10 years by the way. Here's my story ...
My DIY Polytunnel - boards.ie

I love my tunnel. It's bursting with stuff already and I haven't even put a tomatoe or pepper plant in yet

[taff]

Number 2 and get someone to put it up too. If you know you're going to use it, you've got space for it and you can afford it, that's what I'd do.

[Scarlet]

Sorry to cause confusion! But I would go for number 3, get another greenhouse

[veggiechicken]

Thanks redser for sharing - I've hadn't seen that before. You've done well.
And thanks taff too because that is really the only solution for me.
I'd like to build my own (because its cheaper) but I know that I can't do it - nor do I know anyone who could build it for me.
Yes I could afford to buy one (I think ) but I can't decide whether its money well spent given that the location isn't perfect and a PT is more of a temporary structure than a GH.
I really am undecided about this - but I do want to be able to grow more undercover.
Where's the tearing hair out smiley?

[Dotty Sarah]

If you want to give it a trial you can get really small tunnels in the pound shop.

[veggiechicken]

Would I have to slither into it Dotty?

[Vince G]

Defo number 2 VC. You might have to replace the cover after 5 years, it might last longer if it has a bit of protection from some trees. Constant flapping of loose bits is what does for a PT cover I understand, so a bit of a windbreak might extend its life. Replacement covers are not expensive anyway, especially if you're only buying them every 5 years. 5 years worth of toms, peppers, aubergines, cukes and melons will repay the investment many-fold.

[redser]

The Polytunnel and Greenhouse in May - 2013 - part one

This might help you decide

[veggiechicken]

You should not put temptation before me, red!! So how big a one should I get?

[Vince G]

To give you an example: ours is 10' x 10', 18" path through the middle, door at each end. Here's a list of roughly what we grew (there are 2 of us):

As well as consuming them fresh on a regular basis, the pasta sauce from the 8 toms lasted until new year.

We're still using frozen chillis (12 plants).

2 F1 Baby cucumbers produced approx 40 9" cucumbers (loads to give away / pickle). Only growing 1 this year plus a gherkin.

Could've done with more peppers (6 plants) and aubergines (2) - plants cropped well but more fruit would defo have got used.

Sweetcorn x 4 were ready end of July, then toms and cukes expanded to fill the space they vacated.

Few basil, salad leaves and french marigolds interplanted.

Pièce de résistance - Emir Melons, only 6 fruit over 2 plants, but superbly sweet and well worth it.

Need to work out how to utilise it better over winter, but we're currently picking mangetout (which will be out of the way when the melons are ready to go it) and winter little gem, just big enough for a salad for 2.

[veggiechicken]

Thanks Vince. I need to do some serious measuring!!

[Newton]

Location location location.

It's a big investment if it won't perform well. Are the trees going to produce too much shade? Algae growth will be more rapid and it will make things worse.......

Get yourself a lottie VC. Just another garden really! Then get your polytunnel!

Good luck with your decision.

[redser]

When it comes to size they say you can never have enough. Thing about a tunnel is that you can afford to use it for recreation and not just for growing. You could make a nice comfortable habitat in there. So don't know what to recommend really. Ground space and cash available would probably decide it?

[marchogaeth]

This is a quicky V. I would say there is no reason not to put a tunnel up either with friends or with a professional. It's a two to three day job from starting to clear to errection. Tree roots might mean a lot of work if you want to bury the plastic. If your tunnel is sheltered you will not be able to grow things that really benefit from the heat it provides cos it won't get that hot. (You could try putting thermometers out now and comparing under the tree temperatures with open garden temperatures.) However, there are lots and lots of plants that will thrive in the shelter and comaparative warm of the tunnel including you in the middle of winter. I'm thinking of greens especially but also peas and beans out of season.

As to it's life expectancy, it's a case of keeping it clean inside and out. The outside clean can be done with two people. I would recommend you to look at http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Polytunn...d_bxgy_b_img_z, which has all sorts of great advice on actual siting and errection. I borrowed mine from the library.

This is one to think about and not rush. It's a big commitment not just of money but expectations so you want to be sure it's not going to be a dissapointment. The other thing I'd do it talk to Five Star, they are really helpful people, I'm not sure if they do errections but you could ask them about harvesting the rainwater off the roof as well.