Of course, we all love a bargain. Buying a cheap, low-quality polytunnel is a false investment. If you want a polytunnel that will last several years, its best to go with a quality product that is priced that bit more and manufactured in the UK.
We produce all our polytunnels in our Norfolk workshops and all our staff are highly experienced craftsmen. We mentioned earlier that greenhouses and polytunnels work in the same way in regards to providing a suitable climate for plants and crops.
As mentioned above, traditional greenhouses are usually more expensive than a polytunnel of a similar size would be. This makes polytunnels, for the most part, much better value for money. Their frames are designed to last for decades. Granted, you will need to replace the cover every five to ten years. And the risk of accidents and injuries is far lower with a polythene covered polytunnel. This can be an extremely time-consuming task as levelling ground can take a while and can be backbreaking work.
Especially with glass involved. This is another reason why polytunnels are a much more practical option than greenhouses. One of the advantages of having a polytunnel is the headroom. There are two different types of polytunnels: straight sided and curved. The main difference between straight and curved polytunnels is that straight sided models offer more head height and working room at the sides of the structure. So, the amount of headroom you need will affect the style of polytunnel you choose.
In the summer, a polytunnel is as effective, if not more so, than a greenhouse. In the colder winter months, you might want to prepare your tunnel by adding extra heating elements to keep your plants happy and healthy even when its cold outside. You could introduce either an electric fan heater or a traditional paraffin heater to help your plants through winter.
You could also use bubble wrap or horticultural fleece to add an extra layer of protection against frost. As mentioned above, putting up your polytunnel is relatively straightforward and requires minimal preparation in comparison to traditional greenhouses.
And building your polytunnel will probably take a full day. You may want to read through the instruction manual a few times before starting to build. You will also need a standard garden spade in order to dig a small trench around the tunnel in order to fix into the ground securely. The setup is simple and requires minimal DIY knowledge.
You can see more in the video below. We use great quality covers that are guaranteed for five years but are fully expected to last around eight years. If it so happens that your cover does get damaged, it can be easily replaced with a spare cover.
Small tears can be temporarily repaired with tape. But a replacement cover should be sourced as soon as possible. Again, this is where buying quality matters. Cheap polytunnels will not withstand the British weather for very long without breaking beyond repair. Our polytunnel frames are built to last for 50 years and the covers will need replacing every years. Our polytunnels have been tried and tested in the most weather-beaten areas in the UK and will last any gardener for many years after purchase.
You can see our growing guides for more information on planting in your polytunnel. But, suffice to say, polytunnels offer excellent homes for many varieties of fruits, vegetables and even the pickiest of plant species. And does so all year round. Here are some tips to help you ensure that your polythene cover lasts as long as possible: Choose your site carefully.
Try to avoid very exposed, windy sites if possible. If your site is very windy, consider placing a natural wind break to protect your polytunnel. Choose additional structural elements such as bracing and crop bars where wind is an issue, to provide a little extra protection.
Clear foliage and branches from around your polytunnel. Make sure nothing will brush against your polytunnel that could damage or tear it. Use anti hotspot tape to protect your cover from the metal structure, which can heat up in warm weather and damage the plastic.
Clean your polytunnel cover regularly inside and out. Be sure to clean at least every year, whether it looks like it needs it or not. Do not allow the cover to become slack — re-tension it as required as time goes on. If small damage does occur, repair these promptly to avoid the problem becoming worse. This can cause parts of your tunnel to flip and snag. Storm braces can be used as a means to anchor the tunnel.
To take care of your polytunnel, you need to be aware of the surrounding environment. Keeping your plants safe during the coldest and windiest months of the year is essential. If you properly plan for year-round growing, you should be able to do so right through until spring.
We have this spectacular article on what to do to avoid our polytunnels being blown away by the wind for further tips and tricks on keeping them strong and resistant against future weather changes. But what should you keep in mind during the autumn and winter months and make sure it survives? We will explore this below. Autumn can bring dramatic weather conditions.
While it is less harsh than winter, autumn can still be a problem for your polytunnel. To keep your polytunnel around for as long as possible, it is a good idea to consider how you will keep your tunnel safe and secure during the autumn months.
One issue that may arise is the doors of your polytunnel may start to sag on their hinges, or the latches may begin to stick and not fasten properly. Therefore, it is recommended that you take the time to check your polytunnel doors and ensure that they are in good shape before the arrival of possible storms. When the snow does arrive, it accumulates on the roof, and the sides of the polytunnel and can be hefty. Again, a soft-bristled brush will be your best friend in this situation.
All that needs to be done is brush the snow off the roof and from the sides. You can also give the roof a tap from the inside of the tunnel to make the snow slide to the ground. You may also want to consider adding extra protection to your tunnel to protect it from the winter winds. If you follow our advice, you would have already chosen a proper location for your polytunnel.
Shortcomings may be discovered after building your tunnel and living with it for a while. If your polytunnel in a rather exposed position, you may want to improve the site by adding extra protection such as a windbreak hedge; we touched on this earlier. Still, you can create a great windbreak hedge by simply planting a few shrubs and trees more informally in the surrounding area of your garden to shield the polytunnel from prevailing winds.
Polytunnels and greenhouses both have pros and cons. Polytunnels have much more space for the cost of building but do not protect against frost unless heated. Greenhouses are much more expensive and are unable to be so large.
But have superior frost protection to polytunnels. However, the plastic will require replacement throughout this period. Depending on the quality of the installation will depend on the longevity of the plastic. A polytunnel is perfect for extending the growing season as it allows for the creation of a microclimate.
You can grow leafy greens such as lettuce, brassicas, and oriental veg in winter. It will enable you to grow heat-loving fruit and vegetables like tomatoes, chilies, and cucumber in summer. A polytunnel creates a microclimate, allowing the gardener to extend the growing season.
And to grow leafy greens right through the winter. It protects heat-loving plants from inclement weather, permitting for larger yields,. Polytunnels require adequate ventilation.
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