Hobbit Allotment!

[snohare]

The plot thickens... well, lengthens... changes shape...well anyway, it looks like a lot of work and inspires the usual "Glad it's not me/wish I had the excitement" feelings !

[horticultural_hobbit]

Is getting there. Window shopping polytunnels. Found the one I want, now thinking about how I would raise it? when to do so; would it be straight forward, and do I really need an anchoring kit?

Do I also want it length ways or width ways...diggin the trench for it will need thinking about too. So that means clearing the appropriate patch and not just covering it in cardboard.

All this thinking is making my brain ache.

[horticultural_hobbit]

The next grand scheme.

But what to with the poly floor, Beds, buckets?


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[rustylady]

Beds HH, much easier to keep evenly watered.

[horticultural_hobbit]

Hobbit Allotment!

Thank you, RL.

Horse shoe shape, perhaps. Will dig it over once the thing is raised. That's gonna be interesting; as I might have to do that by myself. Parents likely to pull faces.


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[snohare]

Are you going to run pipes inside, so that your water butts can irrigate inside ?
Easier said than done I know, but I daresay you could have a cutout panel in the door - rather like a cat flap...
I'd be seriously amazed if you could raise a polytunnel by yourself. Even Robinson Crusoe never did that, and he built forts !
Methinks you should check with the manufacturer to see if it can be done single handed - for example, using hand winches or ratchet straps to put tension on - or maybe have an Amish-style polytunnel-raising potluck lunch with your fellow allotmenteers ? You should certainly get plenty of first-hand experience in that quarter, anyway.

[horticultural_hobbit]

I'm going to try and raise it myself, sno. Pops might get roped in, should I feel a tantrum coming. There might be other allotmenteers involved possibly.

I should think about the irrigation, yes. As there is no water in the winter.

Still thinking about the beds. The plot is clay. Which generally lovely, and it's a higher point on comparison to the rest of the plot. Do I want to
Keep them low, or shall I raise them a bit with scrap would.




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[veggiechicken]

If you put a link up to the poly that you're buying, there may be someone on here who has one and could tell you how difficult it is. I wouldn't tackle it on my own - there's a limit to how many poles you can hold upright with one pair of hands!!

[snohare]

Seeing a friend's polytunnel next to the patch of ground where he lets me grow tatties, it has become very obvious to me just how much polytunnels depend on watering; his has butts outside but no guttering, and as it's a pain to run the hose all the way from the house, in consequence it is dry as dust inside, with hardly anything growing. What a waste ! (And here was me hoping to overwinter my sprouting sweet potato Murgatroyd in there... )
Digging that much trench will fairly make you fit, Hoblette. Fit for what, is the question...! You will have shoulders like an Olympic swimmer's. If I was you, I'd borrow an azada, a spade would be awfully hard work if it is at all stoney.
Were I building a polytunnel, assuming it is going to last a good few years, I would be thinking of a) how to protect it from damage from flooding (given the history of your plot), and b) how to protect it from overheating, and c) damage from stormtossed branches. So for example, align it so that the plants at the sunny end will shade the ones next to them (I'm not explaining this well, am I), put a bund around it to divert floodwater (easier if it is aligned up and downhill, then you just put a wee "v" outside the door, with some way of allowing excess water to drain from the bottom end if needs be, and if possible don't stick it (pardon the pun ) right next to any trees. Trees die a twig or a branch at a time, even while growing, so there will always be debris coming off them...
Lots to think about.

[horticultural_hobbit]

That is the one. 3mx2m from feelgooduk.




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[snohare]

Well, that simplifies matters ! At that size, (unless you are thinking of maybe putting up a companion at some point) it won't make much difference whether you have it end on or side on to the sun, and the pressure of floodwater won't be that different either.
Might well be doable on your own at that size - I was thinking of mahoosive big ones. I've always just missed out on putting polytunnels up, myself (to my great regret), so can't really advise. But I know I'd have a go on my own, given ratchet straps and a calm, windless day...
Must dash off to my Sunday evening game of Bananas...have fun pondering !

[veggiechicken]

Looks very similar to Bigmallly's and I'm sure there are other Grapes with one like that. I saw the instructions on the website Building a Polytunnel Garden Greenhouse Stage 1 of 2 - Feel Good UK very useful to give you an idea of what is needed. Good luck!!!

[horticultural_hobbit]

Yeah, think I did drop big mally a line; saw his thread from someone ago.

Rather looking forward to raising it!


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[veggiechicken]

Here's the link to the Thread HH http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ighlight=squid

[horticultural_hobbit]

That's the one, VC. Used it as part of my homework


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