Utilizing the high space in a polytunnel

[Bacchus]

Hi,

I'm about to make something to utilize the area up near the poly tunnel roof to gain a bit more growing space. I've a good idea on how it will work (basicially it will hang from the crop bars) - and I'm happy to share the design when I get it built, but I'm wondering if there are any other examples out there of how people have made the best use of this space.

many thanks

[skeggijon]

i put tumbling toms and strawberries in hanging baskets

[veggiechicken]

I'm sure I've seen suspended shelving mentioned on here somewhere?

[KevinM67]

Norfolk Grey on here had suspended guttering with strawberries growing from it.

They posted the picture for a second time just recently - but I can't remember which thread (or the original thread).

Possibly the 'Top Tips' thread ??

[lottie dolly]

Thats jogged my mind,am sure i saw on here,of a person forming shelving on chains hanging from the crop bars,another thing what i did last year,was run something strong,say washing line up and over,my cues loved it,in fact same for anything what climbs.

[Bacchus]

Thanks for those responses

I'm going to use some lathe's on top of the bars as the main support, then hang some shorter pieces and have parallel bars running underneath. Then use shorter cross braces to join the two as a shelf.

Pictures will help explain when I get it done.

This should maximize my space and shouldn't interfere with the light at all. I'm thinking that I can probably house about 20 pots on one.

[Alison]

Just make sure you secure well and keep good access paths, I'm clumsy and tend to knock things off if I'm not careful

[Bacchus]

Got my floating shelf built - hopefully how it works comes through in the photographs.

Basically it can be slid across the crop bars so I can have it directly over the long central bed where I won't be bumping my head - or I can slide the whole thing over to one side where it will be over the side bed and also out of the way.

It will hold a good number of pots - I'll probably have some tumbling toms in a few and chilies in others - we'll see how we go.

[Veggiemama]

Wow!

Love it.
Do you want to come fix my greenhouses and polytunnels for me ? :-)

Just joking.

Really good set up and (when i eventually get mine sorted ) I may pinch your idea.

[Kristen]

Liking the look of that

I have some fixed shelves over my staging and they are always in the way. If I put anything on them they shade the plants underneath ...

[Bacchus]

I was trying to avoid the shading - but I don't think one row of pots quite high up should affect that growing below too much. Plus as I can slide the thing round a bit I can move it over to the "dark" side of the tunnel.

My biggest concern will be weight. I'll just be testing it out a few pots at a time to make sure I don't break anything or the crop bars don't bend, but everything is pretty solid so I don't think it will be an issue.

[Kristen]

Indeed, it looks like much less of a shading issue being reasonably far removed from the staging itself. Much better than mine - although mine is as high as I can get it without the plants bumping into the roof!!

[Lisasbolt]

I've been thinking about this for ages.
I have planted a lot of different things to go into hanging baskets, so hopefully that will work.
Yours looks great

[marchogaeth]

I am a big fan of hanging mushroom baskets (rope is much, much better than chains):-
http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...looking-up.jpg
http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...d-mush-box.jpg

I line them with newspaper or that plastic Hessian with some slits chopped in and fill with soil for salads or I just use them to hold modules of stuff above slug height. They are also handing for drying garlic/onions/beans or just for holding tools. They are light and easily moveable on their hooks and don't hurt too much if you whack into them!

[daviddevantnhisspiritwife]

This has given me an idea. Though, I shall resist carrying it out and knowing my skills it will result in the greenhouse collapsing.