First Tunnels offer everything gardeners require for a top quality Polytunnel.

Shopping – Why can’t it just be simple? Lets face it, trawling through hundreds of Google searches is a chore. And when you think you’ve made your mind up, you’re bombarded by conflicting opinions on web forums and lets not even talk about the meerkats or bellowing opera singers!

Well, if you’re one of the thousands of gardeners looking to invest in a Polytunnel or accesories, you’re in luck. First Tunnels have a comprehensive, easy to use website thats packed with helpful advice, interesting links, growing guides and many videos.

A new addition to First Tunnels website is The Polytunnel Buyers Guide. In short, it’s the ultimate guide to why First Tunnels is the first choice for gardeners across the UK. Here’s a taster -

20 Years Anniversary

1. The Market Leader- Over 20 years, First Tunnels has clocked up a top client list including Alan Titchmarsh, Bob Flowerdew and Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall and now sells over 3,000 Polytunnels every year!

2. Super Strong Polythene covers - First Tunnels Polythene covers are tough, strong and are designed to cope with extremes of UV. They’re guaranteed for 5 years and will often last in excess of 10 years.

3. Timber Thickness - The right timber will give strength and rigidity to a Polytunnel but will still allow doors to be easy to manoeuvre. First Tunnels wood is FSC approved and treated with Tanalith E to ensure a long life.

Sliding Door

4. Door Options - The size of Polytunnel dictates whether it can have a single or double doors, but the buyers guide will help you choose if they should open inwards or out and there’s also a handy guide to space-saving sliding doors too.

5. Steel Construction -Polytunnels are often sited in exposed areas, so you need a structure that’s up to the job.  All of First Tunnels products have exactly the right gauge of galvanised steel hoop, but there’s higher-spec available for extreme conditions.

First Tunnels Construction

6. Construction Service - A First Tunnels Polytunnel is easy to build and comes with a DVD featuring step by step details. There are loads of tips on First Tunnels Facebook, Twitter and YouTube site too.  First Tunnels constructors are just a phone call away from 9am-5pm on weekends and bank holidays (07801 601253) Or there’s a team of trained constructors who can take care of the whole job.

7. Product Guides - First Tunnels brought in the film crew to capture the process of constructing a Polytunnel – from site preparation to the finishing touches. The printed construction manuals are detailed and easy to follow.

Polythene Calculator

8. Ease of Ordering - While First Tunnels brochurecover everything you need for a perfect Polytunnel, there’s easy online ordering including polythene calculator to help you choose the correct replacement cover size, replacement tube design as well as every Polytunnel accessory you could require.

9. Fast Delivery- Just because your Polytunnel is made to order, you won’t be in for a long wait. First Tunnels keeps all packs in stock, so orders are turned around quickly. In fact, most domestic Polytunnels (8ft – 14ft wide) are despatched within 7 working days – and often quicker during September to December.

10. Experts Choice- As well as NHS Trusts, Schools, Government Organisations and gardening Celebrities, First Tunnels works closely with the leading Polytunnel experts Mark Gatter, Andy Mckee best selling authors and Paul Peacock, presenter from BBC’s Gardeners’ Question Time.

First Tunnels have dedicated part of their website to videos all about everything Polytunnels. See how to construct a Polytunnel, clean and maintain your Polythene cover, irrigation ideas and lots, lots more.

In fact, there’s more than 30 vidoes full of helpful hints and tips and advice from gardening expert Paul Peacock, presenter from BBC’s Gardeners’ Question Time to ensure that you get the most from your Poly tunnel.

To enjoy Tunnel Vision, simply click the logo below -

Watch over 30 Polytunnel videos

Potato and tomato blight is an airborne virus caused by a fungus-like organism, which spreads rapidly in the foliage and tubers or fruit of potatoes and tomatoes in wet and humid conditions, causing collapse and decay.

It is a serious disease for potatoes and outdoor tomatoes, but not as common on tomatoes grown in greenhouses and polytunnels.

Potato Blight

Potatoes - The earliest symptoms of blight on potatoes is a rapidly spreading brown, watery rot of the leaves, which soon collapse and can also affect the stems. If it is allowed to spread, blight will eventually reach the tubers and then spread to any tomato crops growing near by.

Tomato Blight

Tomatoes – The symptoms on tomatoes are similar to those on potatoes. Brown patches may appear on green fruit, while more mature fruits will decay rapidly. Remove any blackened or discoloured leaves and get them out of the way before the problem gets the chance to spread any further.

Remove affected Fruit

If blight arrives, all you can do is try to slow it down. Remove any affected leaves and fruit immediately, then spray everything – yes, the entire polytunnel – with a solution of bicarbonate (baking soda), 10g per litre. Add a couple of drops of a plant-based detergent to help the solution stick to the leaves.

The Blightwatch website is FREE to sign up for Smith Period warnings that are now calculated based on data from the entire UK at postcode level. Once you register you can request warnings, either by email or text to your mobile phone of Smith Periods in up to 10 postcodes near your garden or allotment.

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

Polytunnel Harvest

By July things are in full swing in the Polytunnel and it can feel and look a bit like a jungle. The harvest of tomatoes, peas, chillies, cucumbers and peppers should have begun! The Polytunnel should feature some visible flowers to help attract pollinating insects such as hover-flies (which are likely to snack on aphids while visiting) and with a bit of luck, they will be followed by a toad or two helping to keep the slug numbers under control.

July is also the month in which you should not only plan your (dare we say it) winter, spring and the hungry gap plants but also start sowing a few seeds. It’s easy to be lulled into thinking that there’s plenty of time – after all, summer is at it’s peak. More information about “Growing Food in your Polytunnel all Year Round” can be found in Mark Gatter & Andy Mckee’s fabulous book.

Polytunnel Irrigation

Don’t forget everything in you Polytunnel relies on water and the recent spell of sweltering weather has reminded us all that our plants…especially those in the ‘tropical’ conditions of a polytunnel, need ample irrigation. On the other hand, we are constantly being reminded of our need to be responsible with water, and conserve supplies wherever we can. The easy answer is Big Drippa which ‘feeds’water directly  to the root of the plants, without a drop wasted. It’s very controllable too,meaning it can be left to get on with the…while you soak up the sun yourself. Watch the video

Irrigation Spares – If you already have an irrigation system in your polytunnel, now is a vital time to make sure everything is in good working order. If you need them, First Tunnels have a huge range of irrigation spares available. View irrigation parts. If you intend to go away on holiday over the next couple of months and don’t have an enthusistic gardening neighbour to water your Polytunnel in your absence, you may want to consider an automatic irrigation timer.

Polytunnel Soaker Hose

Soaker Hose- For use in any Polytunnel, whatever the size, a Soaker Hose releases water directly to the roots for fewer waterings, thanks to no evaporation. Cut to size, it’s equally effective on slopes or on the flat and gives water permeation of 12-18 inches either side of the pipe (depending on soil type). If you add 16mm barbed fittings, endless coverage combinations can be achieved. Ball valves can also be introduced to isolate areas not in use. And timers can be added to take over when you’re on holiday or busy stoking the BBQ.

Time to sow in your Polytunnel - Beetroot, Broccoli, Turnip, Potatoes, Winter Lettuce, Spring Cabbage, Rocket, Spinach.

Enjoy the July Polytunnel Harvest- Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Courgettes, Starwberries, Sweetcorn, Spinach, Melons.

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

First Tunnels perfect Polytunnels just got even better!

Order a Polytunnel during July and you’ll receive a FREE trestle table  – perfect to increasing the growing space inside your polytunnel.

 Plus 4 great Polytunnel books from Mark Gatter, Andy McKee, Bernard Salt and Jayne Neville. Sounds good…there’s more…

To make sure you’re tunnel stays in tip top condition we’ll also give you 5 litres of Algon cleaning fluid and some polythene repair tape,  just in case! That’s over £100 worth of useful extras FREE!

Order online or over the telephone on 01282 601253 today.

(Offer ends 31st July 2011)