First Tunnels is delighted to announce that – along with only 1% of UK companies – we’ve achieved all the requirements for BS EN ISO9001 accreditation. First Tunnels would like to thank all employees for their commitment to achieving this award.

ISO9001 is internationally recognised and sets the standard for quality management systems, leading to enhanced customer confidence and ongoing improvements giving our customers the added reassurance of buying from a company that meets the most exacting quality standards

FREE sliding door upgrade with any complete First Tunnels Polytunnel throughout February – Save up to £200…. More growing space, more ventilation, more flexibility BUT…NO MORE TO PAY! Simply select the FREE upgrade when placing your order and we’ll look after the rest. If no sliding door options have been selected, we will supply our hinged doors.

That’s not all – order any complete Polytunnel kit and you’ll receive a Growing Pack including 2 best selling Polytunnel books “How to Grow Food in your Polytunnel all Year Round” AND “The polytunnel Handbook” A handy Crop wheel and a packet of tomato seeds to get you growing!

*COMPETITION TIME WITH FIRST TUNNELS* Your chance to WIN lots of Polytunnel goodies…including the two best selling Polytunnel books, our very own Crop Wheel and everyone’s favourite, tomato seeds. If you’re in the market for a new Polytunnel, we’ll also give you £50 towards the purchase. Simply “LIKE & SHARE” the competiton post on our Facebook Page and add a number between 1 – 49 in the comments box to enter. Camelot will pick the winner(s) with the bonus ball in Saturday’s Lottery draw on 4th February 2012. Good luck everyone….

With a First Tunnels Polytunnel, you don’t have to wait until Easter to start gardening. You’ll be sowing and harvesting crops long before winter has lost its grip.

Vegetables grown in a Polytunnel

February – It’s torment for gardeners: the evenings are getting lighter and signs of spring are all around us, but it’s still bitterly cold. We’re forced to stay indoors, sifting through seed catalogues and dreaming about the seasons ahead.

The nations desire for year-round growing is leading to huge interest in Polytunnels, the perfect way to extend the growing season by making sunlight work harder and keeping winds and frosts at bay. Even in February, Polytunnel growers are busy sowing and planting, aubergines, broad beans, cabbage, carrots, turnips, tomatoes….the list goes on.

Beetroot grown in a Polytunnel

This month – yes, in what many still regard as the depths of winter, it’s possible to harvest beetroot, cauliflower, spring onion and cabbage in Poly tunnels.

You can grow almost anything in a Polytunnel and planning is very important and with the help from Mark Gatter and Andy Mckee’s fabulous Polytunnel book “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.

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!

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