Grow Your Own Magazine

Hi Gang,

Any comments/thoughts/experiences on growing in polytunnels? I'm thinking of one for the lottie and I understand they're not like growing in Greenhouses - true or false

Also, whot crops do you grow in them.

Before you recommend it, I've read Bernard salts book cover to cover sever time, but it's nt like the advice you can get from super experienced people like yourselves.

(I can creep with the best of them)
ntg

there a thread a couple down the page that asks a similar question,

but the difference tween plastic and glass, ive found the tunnels need less water, as the water evaporates it condences on the plastic and either drips off or runs down the walls, the greenhouse tends to dry out more rapidly and plants are more susseptable to visably wilting on sunny days. people say the light levels are less under plastic and tomatoes wont rippen, but next door grow theirs under glass and ive not noticed any difference in speed of rippening. if iwas starting again id put in the biggest tunnel possible and not bother with the greenhouse.

Cheers Ric,

Just what wanted to know. The Tunnel only isn't an option as I've got two greenhouse but not knowing anyone who's got one I wondered what they are like.

As to toms not ripening, I did ok last year in the GH, but my friend had a poor year and his GH runs East West like they tell you in the book and get loads of sun, mine are behind my shed (well about 10' or so and run N/S, I leave the bubble wrap up and put shade netting up because of other stuff I've got in it, so it doesn't always work like the books say.

You have to make the best of what you've got at the end of the day and adapt accordingly.

ntg

I love my polytunnel it is in use 12 months of the year and apart from winds above Force 7 (a bit noisy!) I can always work away in it.

This winter I have had spuds, chard, herbs, leeks, lettuces and cabbages growing and during the summer it was heaving! I had to turn to hanging baskets to find more room (its only 20 feet by 14 feet). Runner beans, french beans, peas, carrots, garlic, all salads, salad onions, tomatoes (three different types), clematis (won't grow very well outside here), herbs, strawberries, cucumbers and courgettes. (A friend of mine in Shetland has a grape vine growing in one end of hers!)

I start all my seeds off in late April/May and find they catch up well, although we do have 24 hour daylight in the summer months (I stress daylight not sunlight). I find I can keep the temperature reasonable by leaving both the doors open most of the summer (netting to stop the birds going in) and watering in the early morning and sometimes at night. Although I did get an automatic watering system which works well when we are away.

I haven't had much luck with more hothouse plants (chillies, peppers, etc.) as the temperature is a bit too up and down, but we are a way north and night time temperatures are a bit cool.

Like Ric I would choose a polytunnel over a greenhouse any day - I really think they are far more flexible and provide such a large growing space. My OH is really worried I am going to ask for another one!

Jennie.
I love the joy your post bursts with. now I want a polytunnel too
Jax

I Agree Jax, I was only thinking of one for up the lottie, but after that from Jennie I think it's more of when than if! I imagine that a tunnel is virtually a must have in Shetland as I imagine it's the wind rather than lack of temperature thats your problem.

We don't eat a great deal of veg (varieties that is not portions) so it probably won't be bursting like your Jennie, but at least the ones we do eat we can have over a longer period. Also I can use it for some of my beloved late flowering Chrysanths in october/november as the singles I grow are better if flowered cool (you get better colour) that would give me a added excuse to go up the lottie!

One use for it I thought of was as a huge coldframe for earlier on when I'm struggling for room at home, might be a bit of a waste but at least things would get more light and wouldn't be crammed together like they are at the minute

Thanks all for the help ... now where's that brochure

Glad to have inspired somebody!!

The poly tunnel here gives me an area of garden ground, that isn't blasted by the wind and manages to warm up a little. Our summer temperatures don't normally exceed 18 degrees, but the plytunnel can reach up to 40 degrees! I do use it during the winter as a huge coldframe - got a number of small tree saplings (oak and larch) overwintering for a second winter. I do also grow flowers in it, mainly companion planting tagetes and salad nasturtiums, but I do love clematis and have four growing (at the edges) at the present time. We have 3/4 acre garden here, but only a small amount usuable due to the wind speeds. Gradually building up areas of shelter, but been in this house for 11 years now and it takes a long time.

I have to confess that I am getting a replacement greenhouse later in the summer - once I have planning permission that is (bit of a bummer as I am a planning officer!). My OH suggested I go for the best I could get (bless him! - he loves tomatoes), so have gone for a Hartley planthouse (just 10' by 8'), so will have to get used to a different type of growing area, but can't wait to get started on chillies and peppers! I even wondered whether I might be able to grow a small lemon tree - fresh sliced lemon in my G & T - bliss !!!