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