Plants round sides of Polytunnel

[MarkHackwell]

I'm going to re-site my Polytunnel but where I am going to re-site it there is a Globe Artichoke at the back. Would I be better siting it somewhere else or should that be alright?

[veggiechicken]

Do you need to dig a trench for the PT? Would it affect the roots?

[MarkHackwell]

Do you need to dig a trench for the PT? Would it affect the roots?

Well I was thinking if to dig a trench for the Polytunnel or not. I was thinking of possibly putting wooden battens round the bottom and stapling the polythene cover to the wooden battens, would that be alright to do though?

[Bacchus]

Well I was thinking if to dig a trench for the Polytunnel or not. I was thinking of possibly putting wooden battens round the bottom and stapling the polythene cover to the wooden battens, would that be alright to do though?

That's the way mine is finished. Pro's and cons. Pros are that the polythene will be easily replaced eventually. A con is that I get some rainwater runoff coming into the tunnel via the gap at the bottom - I've solved this by digging a trench and filling it with large stone to create a drain. Also there may be issues about slugs finding an easy way into the tunnel under the wooden battons but I've placed a 2-3ft strip of rock blinding on top of a weed suppressing membrane around the entirety of the tunnel - they don't like moving on that rough surface.

[Kristen]

Dunno what the layout is of your plot, but I would put Greenhouse / Polytunnel in the best possible position (no winter shade, suitable cooling from prevailing wind and/or door not facing prevailing wind if it is likely to be blown away etc.

And then I would resite the Artichokes accordingly, if necessary (offsets taken in the Spring would give you plants for next year, maybe even this year)

[MarkHackwell]

That's the way mine is finished. Pro's and cons. Pros are that the polythene will be easily replaced eventually. A con is that I get some rainwater runoff coming into the tunnel via the gap at the bottom - I've solved this by digging a trench and filling it with large stone to create a drain. Also there may be issues about slugs finding an easy way into the tunnel under the wooden battons but I've placed a 2-3ft strip of rock blinding on top of a weed suppressing membrane around the entirety of the tunnel - they don't like moving on that rough surface.

Thanks I am thinking about doing it with wood as then I would be able to take the cover off and replace it when I need too. Could I be cheeky and ask for a picture of your polytunnel (if you have any of course)

[MarkHackwell]

Dunno what the layout is of your plot, but I would put Greenhouse / Polytunnel in the best possible position (no winter shade, suitable cooling from prevailing wind and/or door not facing prevailing wind if it is likely to be blown away etc.

And then I would resite the Artichokes accordingly, if necessary (offsets taken in the Spring would give you plants for next year, maybe even this year)

Yeah I see what you mean. That is the best position I think personally as it's not right next to the hedge, and not right in the middle of the plot. Im not exactly sure how long the Artichoke has been there but its a big one I know that! The Polytunnel is 3m length x 2m wide and by my calculations that would leave about the Artichoke about 4ft behind the Polytunnel if left in soo not sure if that would be enough?

[Bacchus]

Could I be cheeky and ask for a picture of your polytunnel (if you have any of course)

Sure

There are some pictures in the middle of page two of this thread

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...own_82631.html

This was it going up. I've laid the blinding dust since then

I hope that helps

[Kristen]

Im not exactly sure how long the Artichoke has been there but its a big one I know that!

They perform best if renewed every few years (from offsets), so no harm in moving it - except you won't get a crop this year if you sacrifcie it to propagate offsets instead.

The Polytunnel is 3m length x 2m wide and by my calculations that would leave about the Artichoke about 4ft behind the Polytunnel if left in soo not sure if that would be enough?

Sounds OK, however: If the hedge is on the north side I would put the end of the tunnel right up against the hedge - not sandwich the Artichokes in there. (No sunlight / shade coming from the North side of course)

[unclefudgly]

Well I was thinking if to dig a trench for the Polytunnel or not. I was thinking of possibly putting wooden battens round the bottom and stapling the polythene cover to the wooden battens, would that be alright to do though?

I wouldn't! I thought the same last year but staples were easily pulled when pulling taught and created rips. I eventually used wooden batons screwed into a wider kickboard, it was much easier to get the cover taught this way