Still winter isn’t it? But Spring is just around the corner, so there’s lots to do in the Polytunnel. If you are planning your First Polytunnel this year, a sunny day in February is a great time to put the cover on in time for early Spring planting as the polythene is more flexible when it’s warm.

February is the perfect time to cover your Polytunnel

You’ll be amazed how quickly it warms up inside the tunnel when the cover is pulled on. After just a few minutes, the cover will be flexible enough to tighten down and you won’t need to re-tighten it later in the year.

If you already have a Polytunnel, February is a great month to clean up in preparation for the growing season in March. There will be spaces here and there from winter harvesting, and you should fork some compost into all these as soon as possible.  Staging and tools, as well as seedlings pots should get washed with a solution of warm water and a non-toxic biodegradable soap such as Citrox.

Clean the Polytunnel's Polythene with Algon

Clean the cover as well inside and out, so everything can benefit from the increasing day length. Algon Organic, available from First Tunnels, is ideal for cleaning your Polythene cover. Simply apply with a garden sprayer, soft broom or paintbrush and leave it to work – there’s no need to scrub or rinse off later. For more cleaning and constructing tips, watch the video at http://www.youtube.com/polytunnels

Sow Now- Start chitting first early seed potatoes (set them out in egg boxes, “eyes” upwards) When the sprouts are about an inch long, plant the spuds in the tunnel. You’ll be rewarded with the earliest of earlies, sometimes in the second half of April. Contunie to sow broad beans, garlic, peas and turnips. Start sowing aubergines, peppers, strawberries, sweet potato and tomatoes and anything else on the “harvesting” list below. In a Polytunnel, you can sow any of these right now.

Harvest- Beetroot, cabbage, carrots, cauliflowerm celeric, celery, chard, coriander, radish, rocket, spinich, spring onions and turnips!

©Mark Gatter

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!

Frosty the First Tunnels Snowman

It’s Christmaaaaaasssss! The Quality Street are out and its the perfect opportunity to raise a glass and say “CHEERS” to everyone who has supported First Tunnels throughout another tremendous 12 months..With some very exciting projects to share with you in the new year, the FT team would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, healthy New Year.  . Here’s to platefuls of lovely home-grown vegetables in 2012..

Merry Christmas From First Tunnels

Don’t forget, you can also find us on Facebook. There’s always something new, lots of really useful advice and it’s a great place to start if you’re looking to grow a bit of something unusual, chances are someone else has done it as well or knows someone who has.

We look forward to another fun packed year with lots of useful tips and advice to make the most out of your Polytunnel all Year Round!

There might not be much happening inside the polytunnel just now – “Don’t forget about it”. Although a light layer of snow can provide good insulation, try to avoid letting it build up in excess. On small Polytunnels, a soft broom can be used to clear off any fallen snow. With larger Polytunnels, a rope over the tunnel can be used. With a person at each end of the rope, walk along the length of the Polytunnel using the rope to carefully dislodge the snow. You could also increase the temperature inside the Polytunnel with a heater, as this will allow the snow to slide off.

It’s worth your time and effort!

Heres how First Tunnels cleared the snow off their 16ft x 30ft Polytunnel

You can always make a snow man out of the soft snow like First Tunnels

We may live in a hi-tech, on-line world, but if you love Polytunnel Gardening, chances are you like nothing better than browsing through your favourite gardening books. So how about sharing the pleasure with family and friends?

First Tunnels featured Polytunnel Gardening books are best-sellers…essential reading for everyone who wants to make the most of every inch of space, every day of the year. So they make really great Christmas gifts for polytunnel fans. Click here to find out more

Vouchers too…

Don’t forget, First Tunnels Vouchers are just the thing for Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries or just to say thank you. £10, £50 and £100 available.
So if you’re looking for the perfect gift that has real practical value…you’ve just found it!