It's hotting up in the Polytunnel

This is something First Tunnels  always bang on about at this time of year, but don’t underestimate how warm it can get inside your polytunnel…

Make sure your provision for ventilation is all in good working order and that you let plenty of air cirulate around those tender new crops and plants. Keep them well watered too…remember, plants usually need a good soaking before planting out.
 
And don’t forget…pollination is vital! So, making sure bees have free and easy access is very important. It’s easy to creat your own natural pollination with the Polytunnel environment with the introduction of marigolds and ladybirds.

Marigolds in a Polytunnel

Marigolds add colour to your polytunnel, but they’re not just pretty faces, they will help pollinate your crops too. And Ladybirds are great pollinators AND are a fantastic form of pest control. Generally speaking, they’ll be happy to make themselves at home and will control the aphids in return. Can’t promise they won’t occasionally fly off, by the way, but it’s great  family fun gently and carefully collecting them from around-and-about to help keep the population steady. Again, it’s all about adequate ventilation. Sliding doors are by far the easiest way to control your ventilation.

First Tunnels Polytunnel gift voucher

It can be hard finding the right gift for Father’s Day. With First Tunnels Polytunnel vouchers, Dad can choose his own!

Last minute gift idea? No problem – First Tunnels can email a PDF voucher to you (please indicate at checkout the address to send the voucher(s). We will endeavour to email you the voucher next working day.

First Tunnels Polytunnel Gift Vouchers are just the thing  to say “thank you”. £10, £50 and £100 available.

Order online or over the telephone on 01282 601253

Tomatoes in a Polytunnel

When growing tomatoes in a Polytunnel, the ultimate goal is getting the maximum yield of crops, with the best possible flavour, so pruning your plants, removing any unwanted shoots and leaves is an important part of ensuring that majority of the energy and nutrients are sent straight to the fruits, instead of being wasted on the unwanted growing tips at the expense of the fruit.

So here’s what you should do

Pinch out Shoots

Remove all shoots and leaves just below the first cluster of flowers.  When growing a tomato plant although they will try to grow bushy, the aim is to have a single stem. To remove a shoot, look in the joints for tiny suckers which grow in the “V” space between the main stem and the branches on your tomato plant. If a sucker is less than 2 inches, grab it by the base between the thumb and forefinger, and bend it back and forth until it snaps cleanly. This should ideally be done when the shoot is young and supple as the small wound will heal quickly. This is called “simple pruning”.  If the shoot is over 2 inches long,  use a sharp knife or cut over sized side shoots with scissors as a large wound could allow disease to make its way into the plant.

Remove leaves to allow extra light

Remove leaves as the plant begins to mature, the lower leaves will naturally begin to yellow and wilt. This is perfectly normal, so pull these from the plant when they appear. It will keep the plant fresh, looking good, and help ward off disease. Removing these leaves will also allow extra light.

Picking Polytunnel Tomatoes

Try to have four or five fruit bearing trusses growing from the stem, and then pinch out any additional side shoots, leaving the plant’s top shoot intact. This should ensure that all fruit ripens well.

Pick as soon as the fruits are ripe as this will encourage the production of more fruit. (colour and size will identify this) For the best flavour – eat as soon as possible. It really is that simple. It’s a chore that can be done while watering or weeding, and one that will result in healthier plants and bigger, tastier fruits with very little effort.

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

First Tunnels are the proud Winners of the Grow Your Own 2011 ‘Best Polytunnel Stockist’ Award – voted for by you, the people who really know which products make a difference when you love to ‘grow your own’.

A great big thank you to EVERYONE who voted for us. We are absolutely, well and truly over the moon!

Peas & Beans in a Polytunnel

This is probably the peak of the Polytunnel year in terms of plant growth and it’s a month when you spend time wandering around, wondering what to pick next! There’s just so much choice. Aside from the peas and just the broad beans, none of the overwintering crops are left, unless a chard, beetroot or pak choi is being saved from seed.  Everything else in the Polytunnel is there for the summer season, and June is when some of the most eagerly anticipated crops of the entire year are finally ready for the harvest to being.

The Polytunnel in June

One of the keys to good Polytunnel gardening is keeping the next few months in mind even while you enjoy the fruits of today. While cold-hardy winter lettuces are welcomed indeed in cold weather, the more delicate summer lettuce varieties should now be doing really well, and the sheer variety of the salad plants available is amazing.  The first courgette. The first cucumber, the first climbing French beans, even the first tomatoes. What a mouth watering list! For anyone who wonders why people get enthusiastic about Polytunnel gardening, the answer is June.  

Polytunnel Sliding Door = Ventilation

 TOP TIP  Plants will grow really quickly in June and it’s very important not to let them get too crowded. Moulds and pests will lurk in unseen corners and before you know it, you’ve lost a load of plants and/or have a major problem on your hands. Ventilate the Polytunnel every day without fail, even if it’s raining outside. One of the most difficult things to control in a Polytunnel is the humidity, and ventilation is the key. On the very hot sunny days try to plan any work in the mornings and evenings. On the bad days, enjoy the shelter – Rain certainly won’t stop play!

June Polytunnel Jobs in brief  – Water carefully and ventilate well to create a healthy growing environment. Remove any diseased foliage. Pick lots of early summer crops and watch out for pests and diseases.

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