We’re delighted to announce that First Tunnels has been nominated for an accolade in the ‘Grow Your Own Awards’…voted for by you, the people who really know which products make a difference when you love to ‘grow your own’.

If you’d like to see First Tunnels scoop the prize, please give us your vote. All voters will be entered into the ‘Grow your own’ competition to win a mini patio composter and a fully adjustable tripod ladder worth £500.

 Just visit ‘Grow your own‘ and follow the simple voting instructions. Thanks from everyone at the First Tunnels team.

In these credit crunch times, First Tunnels can help gardeners save cash by refurbishing and extending their Polytunnel.

With gardeners increasingly growing their own fruit and veg and raising plants from seeds and cuttings to save money, demand for a polytunnel has never been greater.

The climate of make do and mend has led many thrifty gardeners to refurbish, extend or even relocate polytunnels in a bid to maximise growing space and open up new garden opportunities. First Tunnels offer a one stop shop for gardeners who are keen to get growing under plastic. If your polythene has past it’s prime, or you have moved house and inherited a polytunnel or even purchased a second hand one, it’s easy to bring them back to life and get your Polytunnel back in business!

With an easy to use Polythene calculator on the website,  just tap in the length and height of your Polytunnel plus the distance over the hoop and the online calculator will work the rest out – in feet or metres.

Gardeners also wising up to the fact that it is possible to extend a polytunnel and create extra growing space. First Tunnels also offer an additional replacement tube design service. So whether you are modifying an existing Polytunnel, building a new one or just need a replacement tube, First Tunnels website allows gardeners to quickly and easily design a tube that’s perfect for their Polytunnel.

IT’S COMPETITION TIME AGAIN** Keep a look out for Amateur Gardening Magazine dated 12th March 2011. The lucky winner of this competition has a chance to win a whopping £1,000 to spend with First Tunnels. To be in with a chance of winning this terrific competition, simply fill in (and post) the coupon on “page 36”. Easy! – Oh by the way..The answer is B

Win £1000 to spend First Tunnels

   Closing date 31st March 2011

Peas and beans growing in a Polytunnel

March often feels as if it’s still winter, especially with it’s famous ‘March winds’ which can quickly make you wish you were back inside where it’s warm. But in a First Tunnels Polytunnel, the wind isn’t a problem and you can focus instead on what’s happening to all your overwintering plants – which are suddenly growing, and many of which are either actively bolting or thinking about it.

If you started off any tomato plants under lights in January they should begin flowering about now. As it’s roughly 60 days from seed to flower and another 60 days from flower to fruit, early tomato flowers means a crop that you can be enjoying long before any blight appears.

Polytunnel with Sliding Door

March offers us a wide variety of weather. On colder days it’s easy to forget that in the warmer climate of the polytunnel, plants are coming out of dormancy and therefore need more water than at any time over the past several months. Don’t forget ventilation either – First Tunnels sliding doors are a fantastic addition to any Polytunnel. The ground bolt locking system allows you to secure the doors in a position of your choice giving greater control and flexibility over ventilation. Even better news, First Tunnels are offering a FREE sliding door upgrade with all complete Polytunnel orders placed by 31st March, saving upto £200.

What you can Sow in your Polytunnel in March : Aubergine, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celeriac, chard, coriander, fennel, garlic/elephant garlic, kohlrabi, lettuce, spring onion, peppers, radish, rocket, spinach, strawberry plants, tomato.

What you can Harvest in your Polytunnel in March : Beetroot, sprouting broccoli, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celeriac, celery, chard, coriander, kohlrabi, lettuce and other salad greens, spring onion, pak choi, radish, rocket, spinach, turnip.

© Mark Gatter 2011