You can grow almost anything in a Polytunnel and planning is very important. From this handy chart – taken from “How to Grow Food in Your Polytunnel All Year Round” you can work out the best time to start sowing and growing and help determine when different plants and ready for harvest.

Produced exclusively for First Tunnels by Andy McKee and Mark Gatter – the best-selling authors of ‘How to grow food in your Polytunnel’ and ‘The Polytunnel Handbook’. See First Tunnels website for FREE downloadable Growing Guides which will take you through a whole 12 months of activity in your polytunnel. What you should be doing, what to look out for, maintenance and ideas to maximise your crops, PLUS… what to plant, pick and enjoy!

It’s back! The 10% discount is here again…for a limited period First Tunnels are giving you 10% off EVERYTHING!

That’s not all, with every complete Polytunnel Kit you’ll receive our FREE “Growing Pack” consisting of 2 Top Polytunnel books, by Mark Gatter & Andy McKee, a really useful crop wheel which will tell you when to sow, grow & harvest and last but not least, a packet of tomato seeds to get you growing! Polytunnel gardening just got better value than ever!

*Offer ends 31st January 2012

January: the frozen heart of winter. The darkest and least attractive month of the entire gardening year, unless you happen to have a Polytunnel…

Alasdair Martin www.grownstuff.co.uk

Benefits of a Polytunnel

So, what difference can a Polytunnel make in January? First and foremost, it will allow you to keep lots of crops growing right through the winter and into spring. And, on those cold, crisp days when the sun does show itself, the temperature in a Polytunnel will be wonderfully warm.  However, don’t make the mistake of thinking that your Polytunnel will be frost free! Cold is a problem in mid winter even in a Polytunnel, but fortunately there are ways you can prevent it from damaging your precious crops.

Mark Gatter Co Author of "How to grow Food in your Polytunnel all Year Round"

There are several heaters available from First Tunnels and these will keep the temperature above freezing even in the coldest weather.  For passive heating, a water butt is a great thing to have in a Polytunnel – and the bigger, the better. Not only will it be handy for watering but it will also retain the heat.  The water will soak up the warmth any time the sun comes out, then slowly release.

Cloche Hoops in a Polytunnel covered in Fleece

If you’ve got particularly tender or vulnerable crops or seedlings underway in your Polytunnel, they may need a little extra pampering to protect them in sub-zero conditions. So here’s a little tip. First cover them with a cloche hoop, then cover the cloche in a horticultural fleece. Simple as that! It’s quick. It’s simple. It works hand-in-hand with all your other heating and insulation methods. And it could make all the difference when it really matters.

You’ll find further instructions and photos in the book “How to Grow Food in Your Polytunnel all Year Round”

Dreaming about spring in the Polytunnel!

©Mark Gatter

Frosty the First Tunnels Snowman

It’s Christmaaaaaasssss! The Quality Street are out and its the perfect opportunity to raise a glass and say “CHEERS” to everyone who has supported First Tunnels throughout another tremendous 12 months..With some very exciting projects to share with you in the new year, the FT team would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, healthy New Year.  . Here’s to platefuls of lovely home-grown vegetables in 2012..

Merry Christmas From First Tunnels

Don’t forget, you can also find us on Facebook. There’s always something new, lots of really useful advice and it’s a great place to start if you’re looking to grow a bit of something unusual, chances are someone else has done it as well or knows someone who has.

We look forward to another fun packed year with lots of useful tips and advice to make the most out of your Polytunnel all Year Round!

There might not be much happening inside the polytunnel just now – “Don’t forget about it”. Although a light layer of snow can provide good insulation, try to avoid letting it build up in excess. On small Polytunnels, a soft broom can be used to clear off any fallen snow. With larger Polytunnels, a rope over the tunnel can be used. With a person at each end of the rope, walk along the length of the Polytunnel using the rope to carefully dislodge the snow. You could also increase the temperature inside the Polytunnel with a heater, as this will allow the snow to slide off.

It’s worth your time and effort!

Heres how First Tunnels cleared the snow off their 16ft x 30ft Polytunnel

You can always make a snow man out of the soft snow like First Tunnels