Polytunnels - Are they worth it?

[veggiemad]

Hi All,

Given how productive my blowaway is, I've been recently thinking that it may be worth getting a polytunnel which would potentially allow me to grow veg all year round. Pro's and con's or any other advice would be gratefully appreciated.

[Samurailord]

I am very interested in this thread as I am thinking about getting a small polytunnel if I get my allotment later this month, so please post your opinions for both veggiemad and me.

Andy

[Alison]

Definitely worth it - I crop from mine (10' by 20') all year round. At the moment it has toms, cucs, aubergine, chillies, sweet potatoes, baby carrots and the end of some peas, mange tout, broad beans and new potatoes. Over winter it has salad stuffs, brocolli, spring cabbage etc etc. I did have a lot of effort to get the auto watering working OK (installed guttering and a drip system working off water butts - is brilliant, only need to water once a week to top up the auto stuff now) but the benefits are amazing. And on Saturday I could work inside when it was raining. I'm the only one on our plot with one and there is serious envy.

[Alison]

Re pros and cons:

Pros - longer season, more space for mediteranean crops in summer, can over winter without snow etc damage, somewhere to work when it's raining

Cons - need to set up watering sytem (although once set up it's sorted), they're a pain to erect and I've had mine damaged by vandals (fortunatley can be taped up again), oh and it wasn't cheap but it will stand up to extremes of the weather rather than a cheapo flimsy one

[alldigging]

9.2ft (2.8m) Polytunnel Garden Greenhouse Outdoor Pollytunnel Grow your own Kit - Feel Good UK

These look very cheap.

I think this is what someone has on our site

[redser]

What she said Set up my watering system a couple of weeks ago and I havn't watered anything since. Just pop the hose into the top of the IBC once every 8/9 days and leave the tap running to fill it while I get on with other things. Just planted more young mangetout plants this morning in the space where the early crop was. Have been eating those for a couple of months now. Other earlies we've been eating for ages ... beetroot, salads and rocket, early spuds, carrots, strawberries and cucumbers. Essentially it's like upping your whole country and towing it a few hundred miles south

[Alison]

9.2ft (2.8m) Polytunnel Garden Greenhouse Outdoor Pollytunnel Grow your own Kit - Feel Good UK

These look very cheap.

I think this is what someone has on our site

This is a totally different thing to what I was describing, they're a pain to keep in place and won't last that long but have their place as a good stop gap. If you can afford it you're better off though with a proper tunnel as it'll last much longer and be less of a worry

[Thelma Sanders]

9.2ft (2.8m) Polytunnel Garden Greenhouse Outdoor Pollytunnel Grow your own Kit - Feel Good UK

These look very cheap.

I think this is what someone has on our site

These green polytunnel covers only last a year or 2 before the small clear 'panes' of poly start to fall off.
Also don't expect them to stay put on an exposed windy site.

They're handy in a sheltered garden, I suppose.

[veggiemad]

WOW!!!! Can you still grow lettuce through winter within the polytunnel?

[Samurailord]

I don't want to spend loads of money to start with - things are tight for all of us right now - but if it works I have no problems in replacing it if necessary in the future, even if it ends up costing me more in the long run.

I'm also on the look out for a second hand shed in the Oldham area......

Must be big enough to hold a slightly know-it-all pensioner and his flask of coffee while I get on with the actual work

Well, if you dont ask......

Andy

[alldigging]

Freecycle! Well worth keeping an eye on for sheds!

[Samurailord]

Set up my watering system a couple of weeks ago and I havn't watered anything since.

What watering system are you using? Can you please post a link if you have one?

Thanks

Andy

[chris]

Winter hardy types, yep. There's a few greens that you can overwinter - growing them under cover is easier, but some can be fine outdoors too.

[Samurailord]

Freecycle! Well worth keeping an eye on for sheds!

Have been looking, but they are either too far gone to be of use, or too big/small.

If I was about three foot high I could have had several second homes by now - loads of play-houses being got rid of recently.

Andy

[Tripmeup]

Having helped the in laws with putting up their one yesterday, I would say yes yes and yes
They have said I can use it too...which was nice!!!
Its a pretty big one too..