Polytunnel advice, please

[leicestershirelass]

Hi - I'm new to this forum and would appreciate some advice please. Hoping to buy a polytunnel soon - have tried researching via the Internet but not much found.

Does anyone know a good site I could look at for initial advice + ideas of what crops to plant in it during the autumn? I found reference to a book but when looked at reviews most who bought it didn't think it was very useful!

Or is there an experienced polytunnel owner out there who'd be prepared to offer some guidance?

Thanks

[pigletwillie]

I have two and am based in Leicestershire, pm if you want to pick my brains.

Alternatively try

http://www.northernpolytunnels.co.uk/

[leicestershirelass]

Thanks for response Piglet - think we've got polytunnel size etc sorted out.

Would appreciate guidance as to best crops to plant during autumn and winter months.

Great blog / website.

[leicestershirelass]

Getting confused now - talking to a colleague today and she says that she loses a lot of produce due to polytunnel being too hot even though doors are left open at each end.

Thinking now - would it be better to have two smaller polytunnels?

Anyone any views on this?

[kentvegplot]

Hi there

This is my first year with a polytunnel and, yes, they can get very hot, which means you do need to be careful with ventilation. If you have a large tunnel you can buy special ventilated ridges and, of course, you can have sides which roll up, rather than being fixed in the ground all year. I don't think the latter options are so easy with smaller tunnels, although others may have views?

[leicestershirelass]

Thanks for your input Kentvegplot - await with interest others thoughts.

[Snadger]

A few of the guys on the allotment site I am on have huge polytunnels, just about covering there allotments. They seem to have a very fine screening mesh on the bottom 3 foot down the side opposite the prevailing wind. I would imagine this is to stop it overheating and you could have roll down polythene, inside, if it was cold out!

[Lance]

It is my first year with a tunnel also. First tunnels were very helpful when I had to buy the cover for my tunnel. I bought the frame for my tunnel on ebay. I got a 32ft by 14ft one for £40
Its worth looking on ebay.
I keep the doors open all through the summer and I have built wire mesh frames to stop rabbits etc coming in.
Have fun with your project. IT IS WORTH IT!!

[leicestershirelass]

Thanks for the encouragement and advice Snadger and Lance.

Ready to buy one now, so will take a look on ebay first as new ones seem to be very expensive.

[JennieAtkinson]

For what to grow in your tunnel I can recommend "Growing Under Plastic" by Bernard Salt. Excellent book.

Even here I find the tunnel gets very hot, but it also cools down pretty quick at night. I keep the doors open all the time, with a mesh cover, but did close them last night as it got pretty cold.

[leicestershirelass]

Hi Jennie - thanks for recommending book.

Have you covered your doors in mesh instead of plastic?