Mark out the Polytunnel corners

It may seem a bit of a daunting task, but building a Polytunnel is actually quite straight forward. However, it is a big project and can take several days. So why not rope in some friends to help with the promise of free vegetables once your polytunnel is up and running!

Polytunnel hoops in place

Make the process as easy as you can by preparing your site ahead of time. Remove all vegetation and mark out the basic shape of the polytunnel. First Tunnels have spent a lot of time refining their construction guides to make sure the construction process is simple and intuitive. Full installation instructions which can be downloaded from www.Polytunnels.co.uk

Polytunnel built in a day

Choose a build day- Try to pick a still day on which to start installing your Polytunnel. (easier said than done sometimes) The cover will be less manageable in breezy weather, making your task more difficult.  If the cover is blowing around in the wind it is more likely to get damaged.  If you work on a warm day, this will help to improve the flexibility of the polythene.  Although is is hard to predict the weather, a clear day is always best – tempers may fray trying to install the Polytunnel in rain.

Tunnel Vision - Polytunnel Videos

Tunnel Vision- Polytunnel videos - Watch how easy a polytunnel is to construct and see all the great things that you can grow in your Polytunnel. First Tunnels have dedicated part of their website to videos all about everything Polytunnel and how to clean and maintain a Polytunnel, irrigation ideas and lots, lots more.  In fact there’s More than 30 videos full of helpful hints, tips and advice from gardening expertsto ensure that you get the most from your Polytunnel. To enjoy Tunnel Vision simply click here

For more monthly growing tips and advice please visit First Tunnels Growing Guide

There is no getting away from the fact that a polytunnel environment is not natural. And growing anything in an unnatural situation can present a few challenges, but nothing that can’t be overcome with vigilance and precautions.

Polytunnel Irrigation

Health of Plants - Lack of moisture is the greatest threat to the health of your plants. Plants that are dry at the roots for long periods of time are particularly susceptible to mildew towards the end of the summer. And this is the busiest end of the year, when many valuable crops are producing their fruits so the disease can be a damaging one, with the fungus capable of spoiling developing fruits and weakening plants. Why not check out First Tunnels irrigation Solutions.

Polytunnel raised beds

Raised Beds- Keeping any plant in your First Tunnels Polytunnel healthy is a lot easier if you grow them in well prepared raised beds.  The additional depth of soil will improve fertility – provided you use well rotted manure, good quality topsoil or rich compost to top them up.  The soil should also be slower to dry out which will make your plants less prone to stress. Make sure your raised beds are accessible  from all sides so you can reach the middle without having to tread on the soil and compact it. Raised beds also help to eliminate weeds, which grow incredibly fast in a Polytunnel. Make sure you clear the ground of perennial weeds before you build the bed. Mark out the area for the beds and spraying off the area first is the safest method of making sure your beds are weed free.   

Growing in a Polytunnel

Improving the soil – If you don’t have raised beds and grow most of your crops straight into the Polytunnel soil, digging is essential.  Start by watering the whole of the soil area inside the poly tunnel if it is too dry to dig and allow it to drain until it is just right for working. Then tip as much organic goodness on top of it as you can. Homemade compost and manure is perfect and you can even use layers of grass clipping where you want to grow leafy crops.  Leave it to break down for a few weeks and then dig it all over ready for another year’s growing.

For more monthly growing tips and advice please visit First Tunnels Growing Guide

Fig Tree growing inside a Polytunnel

Remember that your Polytunnel will create a unique micro climate around it. On it’s North side it will create a small amount of shade, while to the South it will reflect light. Perhaps use this as an opportunity to create a bed for sun-loving plants? Fruit such as peaches, figs, apricots, melons and citrus fruits are all successful grown inside a Polytunnel. Grown under polythene, they are protected from disease and damaging frost but you may need to give the bees a helping hand by pollinating blossoms with a brush.

 SUMMER  In the polytunnel, summer really starts in late May with warm soil and windfree days and no chance of frost.

Melon growing inside a Polytunnel

It’s the time of plenty and a chance to get crops to last until winter. Tomatoes grown in a Polytunnel will ripen at Mediterranean speed and salad and herbs such as basil are ready for picking to accompany them.  You can be eating your home grown new potatoes and ripe and early strawberries at a time when all these crops are premium priced in shops.  If there is room, try growing some exotic fruit under cover.

SOW Sweetcorn for an early crop, also peas, beans, chard, cabbage and potatoes.

HARVEST Garlic, tomatoes and courgettes to bring a fresh taste of summer to the kitchen.

For more monthly growing tips and advice please visit First Tunnels Growing Guides