Storm Doris Had it in for my Polytunnel :(

[craftymarie]

We woke up to this scene this morning The cover is ripped in a number of places. Worse is that the bar across the top of the frame was smashed in and almost sheared right through.

We don't know if something fell right on top of it or whether it smashed into the corner of the garage or what. But this was after we weighed the frame down yesterday with concrete blocks so shows how bad storm was last night.

Saving grace is that we've been saving up and planning on getting a greenhouse later this year. In between will have to make do.

Can't see any other obvious damage in garden but it was hard to tell as so wet and windy.

Hope everyone else's gardens and allotments are OK. And stay safe out there.

[Nannysally99]

Such a shame Marie, flippin wind

[Bigmallly]

Ouch..................

[Nicos]

Ouch!
Do you think you can repair it?
Hope you didn't lose too many things inside?

[Bren In Pots]

It does look a mess Marie maybe you could salvage some of the frame to make netting tunnels or something.

[craftymarie]

We went back out in the rain and took the cover off because it looked like it was going to take off again!

It can be repaired of sorts. I shall just use some outdoor gaffa tape over the rips in the cover. Not worth spending any money on as would rather put that towards the new greenhouse. The frame where it has been bent across the top means it might not be strong enough to hold lots of hanging baskets like I did last year. The sides look ok.

Luckily no plants inside as haven't started growing any new ones yet just my gardening tools. So I'm happy no plants have been ruined. That would be much worse.

[Nicos]

Are the tubes hollow?
If so, could you perhaps find a rod of scrap iron to push into the broken ends....sort of internal splinting?
Just a thought.....

[craftymarie]

Very good idea, Nicos. I think they probably are hollow

So long as no other damage occurs, with a bit of a repair jobby I'm sure we can just work with it. Poor old thing! I have been so careful with it too. Hoping to get a greenhouse installed by summer time so not too long to go until then.

[veggiechicken]

Sorry about the damage, Marie
Once you have your GH, you could cover the PT frame with netting and use it as a fruit/brassica cage. Its great having one you can walk into

[burnie]

If you've not looked already, I can recommend the Rhino greenhouses as well built for windy/exposed areas(I'm not on commission, but if enough follow them, I might just give 'em a ring lol)

[lottie dolly]

that is not nice Marie,bloomin Doris,i agree with others,about what to do with the frame,also put string up and use for a bean/cue and tomato frame.

[craftymarie]

Very good ideas. Love the idea of a walk in frame. Nothing will be wasted if I can help it

We are definitely hoping to get a Rhino because it's got such good recommendations and it's a fairly local company too. I would hope that can cope with wind a bit better than the poor old polytunnel.

We measured the space out just a couple of days ago with bamboo sticks and string and I'm hoping I can convince hubby to go for the bigger 8 x 12 option which is the largest that can fit in the space. He wasn't happy at the prospect of moving the washing pole which is cemented in but I'm more interested in my female cave!

But I can't believe how strong the wind is today never seen anything like it.

[sparrow100]

I'v just been over to mine and put the mesh back over the brassicas and a plastic panel back into the greenhouse. The worst is about to start here - fingers crossed it's all ok when I get back.

Likewise fingers crossed the damage is minimal for everyone else.

[Dorothy rouse]

Oh no, how awful, hope you can salvage something, or maybe youre just wanting your new greenhouse?

[Tripmeup]

Had to leave for work in a rush this morning but the winds last night were horrific....Pretty sure i seen some polycarbonate sheets flying around from one of my greenhouses too, so more repairs on the horizon...Think I will just repair them with glass if they badly daamaged...