Debris netting over polytunnel

[bario1]

Hi, can anyone advise me whether covering my polytunnel with a layer of debris netting would seriously reduce its effectiveness?

Thanks.

[marchogaeth]

What are you hoping to achieve by using the netting (presumably over the polythene cover)?

[roitelet]

When I bought my tunnel I also bought a shade net, a bit like debris netting. It works well and keeps the temperature down.

If your tunnel is clear plastic and not the green type it would give you shade. If it is the green type it could give you too much shade.

[vikkib]

What are you hoping to achieve by using the netting (presumably over the polythene cover)?

I was wondering the same!

It would provide shade in there if that was the aim but maybe too much.

Worth considering that if you put it over the ends as well you'll struggle with pollination inside.

[bario1]

The aim is simply to make the tunnel 'blend in' a bit. It is the clear plastic type and stands out like a sore thumb amongst the greenery. I wouldn't cover the ends, just the sides and top.

Thanks for your replies.

[marchogaeth]

Well it depends on what you are growing in there. The light levels are already lower than you would get in a greenhouse and the general agreement seems to be that tomatoes and peppers/chillies are not as good as under glass. If you only plan to grow plants that can cope with lower light like brassica /lettuce you'll probably be ok but I would say you were defeating the object of having this wonderful facility available to you!

Is it just that it is so new you haven't got used to it yet? If it is new the shininess soon wears off and before you know it you will be worrying about cleaning it to get the best growing conditions for your plants.

[Alison]

Interesting I find I get better time and peppers in my tunnel rather than my greenhouse. Also could never get any aborigines in the greenhouse at all but do well in the tunnel. Re the cover, I think tunnels look fine whereas it would look scruffy covered in netting

[veggiechicken]

Doh !!!^^^^ aborigines?

[Alison]

LOL, should be aubergines - bleeding predictive text!

[Vince G]

Also could never get any aborigines in the greenhouse at all..

I have a lot of chileans in my polytunnel....

[marchogaeth]

... general agreement seems to be that tomatoes and peppers/chillies are not as good as under glass.

Interesting I find I get better time and peppers in my tunnel rather than my greenhouse.

Interesting, I have no direct comparison so it is only so called received wisdom. As so many people end up painting their greenhouses white to cut down the light on their tomatoes it's hard to see how a tunnel wouldn't be as good and in a decent summer it's more about keeping temps down and ventilation up, isn't it?

Is it a humidity thing with the aub's, do you think? I've been misting mine in the last few weeks after they seemed to get a bit miserable even though they had plenty of water at the roots.

[roitelet]

My shade net only covers the top and about half way down the sides and I don't seem to have any problems with light levels. Mind you I only put it on in May and take it off in September. If you put it on neatly it shouldn't make the tunnel look scruffy.

If you Google 'Serres Tonneau' you can see exactly what I have.

The aim is simply to make the tunnel 'blend in' a bit. It is the clear plastic type and stands out like a sore thumb amongst the greenery. I wouldn't cover the ends, just the sides and top.

Thanks for your replies.

[hollychap]

called at my local g c the other day and i noticed they were using some for shading