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Polytunnels - Are they worth it?

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  • #1

    Polytunnels - Are they worth it?

    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.

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  • #2
    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
    http://vegpatchkid.blogspot.co.uk/ Latest Blog Entries Friday 13 Mar 2015 - Sowing Update

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    • #3
      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.

      Some of us live in the past, always talking about back then. Some of us live in the future, always planning what we are going to do. And, then there are those, who neither look behind or ahead, but just enjoy the moment of right now.

      Which one are you and is it how you want to be?

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      • #4
        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

        Some of us live in the past, always talking about back then. Some of us live in the future, always planning what we are going to do. And, then there are those, who neither look behind or ahead, but just enjoy the moment of right now.

        Which one are you and is it how you want to be?

        Comment

        • #5
          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

          Comment

          • #6
            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

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            • #7
              Originally posted by alldigging View Post
              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

              Some of us live in the past, always talking about back then. Some of us live in the future, always planning what we are going to do. And, then there are those, who neither look behind or ahead, but just enjoy the moment of right now.

              Which one are you and is it how you want to be?

              Comment

              • #8
                Originally posted by alldigging View Post
                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.

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                • #9
                  WOW!!!! Can you still grow lettuce through winter within the polytunnel?

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                  • #10
                    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
                    http://vegpatchkid.blogspot.co.uk/ Latest Blog Entries Friday 13 Mar 2015 - Sowing Update

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                    • #11
                      Freecycle! Well worth keeping an eye on for sheds!

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by redser View Post
                        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
                        http://vegpatchkid.blogspot.co.uk/ Latest Blog Entries Friday 13 Mar 2015 - Sowing Update

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          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.

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                          • #14
                            Originally posted by alldigging View Post
                            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
                            http://vegpatchkid.blogspot.co.uk/ Latest Blog Entries Friday 13 Mar 2015 - Sowing Update

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                            • #15
                              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..
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                              I dream of a better tomorrow, where chickens can cross the road and not be questioned about their motives....


                              ...utterly nutterly
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