Advice on Using Polytunnel in Colder Weather

[craftymarie]

First year growing so I'm still unsure of what I should be doing.

It was cold last night and the fleece I laid over the tops of the veg growing in the PT was soaking wet when I came to remove it this morning. I was trying to keep the plants warmer but probably made things worse if they got wet under the fleecing.

Should I be keeping a window open overnight now for ventilation or should I close it up completely overnight as I have been doing and just not add any fleece on top?

Or am I worrying too much about it all

[Bigmallly]

You're worrying about it all............................I would close the doors at night but keep the fleece off unless a frost is forecast. Others may do different but that's my call.

[bario1]

What crops are you trying to protect, Marie?

[craftymarie]

Yes I thought I was probably worrying a bit

Got spring onions in a bigger container which I wrapped in bubble wrap to keep temperature up

individual containers of mooli radish, chinese cabbage, mustard spinach, raddichio, swiss chard, tatsoi, choy sum

and a young raspberry plant in a pot

The tomato plants are on the way out so not trying to protect those.

[bario1]

Personally I wouldn't worry about fleecing anything inside the tunnel until/unless we get REALLY cold temps.

[craftymarie]

OK good thank you. I've got some bubble wrap to line the inside of the tunnel which I might do in a month or so depending on the weather. Hope that will help with keeping it a fraction warmer.

Last winter was very mild (we had snow for just half a day I think before it melted) but doesn't mean this year will be mild

[Lisasbolt]

I would close the door at night, and with those you have listed tolerate low temperatures quite well. So i don´t think you have anything to worry about till hard frosts, if you get any.

[craftymarie]

Thank you, that's good to know. Hopefully I won't kill them off then

[1Bee]

Every time someone has a poly tunnel conversation, I have the urge to go and get some popcorn and just sit and read in wide-eyed and hopeless envy.... ggg

[unclefudgly]

I would say all of the veggies you are growing would be fine outdoors so in a polytunnel they will be happy as Larry!

[roitelet]

Just be careful how wet you keep the ground. A good water in the morning on a sunny day now and again will be fine, the ventilate well. I keep mine a bit on the dry side and it reduces the condensation problem

[craftymarie]

Thanks. Yes I am bad at over watering things and I guess as it gets cooler, you don't want things swimming in water. I bought a spray bottle for the spring onions because I was afraid I'd water them too much

[bramble]

You could also lay a few sheets of newspaper over them if you are worried.

[craftymarie]

Never thought of newspaper, good idea.

[Alison]

Personally I don't think there is any need to protect any of those things any more than the protection they're getting by the tunnel.