Anchoring a mini polytunnel

[w33blegurl]

Morning!

I may have accidentally bought a mini polytunnel for the lottie! It is the polytunnel equivalent of the blowaway so I know this is not going to last forever but wnt to make sure it lasts for as long as humaly possibl! A proper greenhouse or polytunnel is way out of my budget for now but I want a bit more space for the tomatoes, chillis etc!

I've still got to clear the ground but it is going t be on a reasonably exposed site with trees on two sides provising a little bit of shelter but not much. I want to try and make sure it oesn't end up at the other end of the lottie site if/when we get a really windy day (it has happened to a few others on the site!)! So, how to best anchor it? Bear in mind my DIY skills are patchy at best so constructing something is probably well outwith my skill set! I've purchased some wooden stakes to drive in at the corners which will attach to the frame, I understand I need to bury any excess cover in a trench but is there anything else I should do to keep it where it is? It does come with guy ropes to keep the cover anchored but I think I should probably go a bit belt and braces! I've seen some heavy duty steel pegs that go over the bits of frame that are along the ground - is it worth investing? Or perhaps going for some much heavier duty pegs for the guy ropes?

Thanks in advance!!

[w33blegurl]

Sorry for all the typos, my wireless keyboard skips letters all over the place!

[nickdub]

I reckon as long as there is a reasonably amount of cover that you can bury say 12+" that should do the trick. I certainly wouldn't buy anything extra - if you're still worried have a a check of any local skips for pieces of batten or metal pipe which you can use as additional stakes. When driving in stakes all things being equal, its a stronger configuration if they are put in at a 45 degree angle.

[4Shoes]

If a very exposed site, you'll want to remove the cover in the winter months.
As an alternative to digging in the cover, you could use ropes over the top to hold the cover taut. (Pegged down) Then simply remove cover over winter.

[elsie-scot]

I just bought a walk in blowaway, only as it was reduced to a crazy low price, as really here it might not last long.

Anyway the best recommendation I saw was using breeze blocks to anchor diagonal ropes over top, with tubing on rope at potential rub points. It was also weighed down with couple of slabs indoors. I can't link on my device, but he is Montgomery's Garden, and the video was Tying down, heating, repairing and storing an inexpensive plastic greenhouse.

I haven't tried this yet so no idea if it works.

[4Shoes]

I just bought a walk in blowaway, only as it was reduced to a crazy low price, as really here it might not last long.

Anyway the best recommendation I saw was using breeze blocks to anchor diagonal ropes over top, with tubing on rope at potential rub points. It was also weighed down with couple of slabs indoors. I can't link on my device, but he is Montgomery's Garden, and the video was Tying down, heating, repairing and storing an inexpensive plastic greenhouse.

I haven't tried this yet so no idea if it works.

That is the same sort of thing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJQTDA8SY20

[1Bee]

I think it was Bigmal who recommended washing line criss-crossed over the top on the diagnonals, firmly anchored. That always sounded to me like the best option.

[lottieguy]

Hi Ya, I had a 6 x 8 greenhouse a few years ago and that was mounted on slabs and screwed to them. The idea was the slabs act as a weight and also when wet they act like a sucker sticking to the ground. It worked and I had no problems. I see on the current site I am on a fellow plotter has got two of those 4 tier mini greenhouses side by side and they are screwed to slabs the same and he seems to have no problems. The covers are removed in the winter time when not much is happening. Good luck.

[w33blegurl]

Thanks all, I'll have a look at the suggested video and google that other guy. It does come with guy ropes attached so that may well be enough them. Not sure I'd be up screwing stuff into slabs (I am notorius for breaking drill bits!) but will see how I get on.