Cloche Hoops covered with Fleece

In December daylight levels are at their lowest ebb and even if you have installed a heater, you won’t see a huge difference in the growth rate of your Polytunnel plants. However, another thing you shouldn’t see is frost damage, even without protection of a fleece cloche.

Winter on the Allotment

December is when you can really begin to notice a difference between the Polytunnel raised beds  and those outside. Inside the Polytunnel you could have fat, juicy lettuces, beetroot, mustard seeds, pak choi and more….but you won’t find any of those outside at this time of year! This is what Polytunnel growing is all about.  It’s easy enough to grow vegetables of all kinds outside during the summer, but to have your own walk-in larder of fresh organic vegetables at this time of year is downright special.

When, for instance did you last pick a salad in December? If you don’t have a Polytunnel, you would probably need to live somewhere far south of the UK to do so – but if you do have a Polytunnel, you could live in the North of Scotland and still be able to pick lettuce right the way through the winter. 

Broad Beans in a Polytunnel

Broad beans and peas sown earlier may be taller than 30cm by now, and it could be difficult to cover them with fleece if frosts threaten. While winter varieties of both are hardy enough to withstand sub-zero temperatures, if a cold snap is set to continue you may nevertheless need to provide some additional protection. It’s quite possible that peas will flower and even produce pods in December. If this happens, remove (and eat!) them to prevent the plant getting the message that it’s all over. They will then continue to pod in the spring…. 

If you need to water, try to do so early in the day. Avoid wetting the leaf surface, as on overcast days the Polytunnel will stay cool and evaporation is a t a minimum. If the leaves are still wet when nights comes, this could result in frost damage! 

Order your Seeds!

Top Tips for December  – Keep everything well ventilated, whenever it’s possible, open the doors for a few hours even on overcast, cool days. Only if it’s really cold should the Polytunnel remain closed…….Order yours seeds! Take time to sit down and work out what you would like to grow next year..

Clear up debris regularly and often. Left alone it will quickly become a source of mould, a habitat for pests, or both! 

Don’t neglect watering. Even though plants require far less water during the winter the beds shouldn’t dry out.

What to Sow in your Polytunnel in December
Coriander, Broad Beans, Winter Lettuce, Mangetout Peas, Rocket.

© Mark Gatter 2011

Visit http://www.firsttunnels.co.uk/ for all your polytunnel products, spares, accessories and guidance.

Raised Bed Kit

Now you can make any size raised bed for your garden, greenhouse or polytunnel with these innovative raised bed brackets.  Each kit comes with four brackets and screws for making one tier ideal for all salad crops. They can however be made up to three tiers high, perfect for deep rooted vegetables.

Timber required needs to be 22mm x 150mm and can also be purchased from First Tunnels or sourced from any timber merchant or DIY store.

 Create any size, any shape  – The possibilities are endless!

The winter is rapidly advancing and with that in mind, Grow Your Own have arranged for one lucky reader to win not just any Polytunnel, but one from First Tunnels the company chosen by Grow Your Owners readers as “Best Polytunnel Stockist” in the GYO awards 2011!

There are only a few weeks to go before the clocks change and we lose a precious hour of afternoon daylight…for a whole six months! So why not make the most of the days to come to get some serious late season work done in and around your Polytunnel.

For example, if you’re thinking of recovering, now is a great time. There should still be enough daylight – maybe even sunshine – available. You could even press the kids into service and get them to give you a hand in their half-term holidays.

First Tunnels have a number of polytunnel polythene films available, helping you to achieve the most suitable environment for your needs. Nearly all First Tunnels polytunnel films are 720 gauge (180 micron) have a five year guarantee against defects in the film and cut to fit your Polytunnel with no waste and no cutting charge.  If you are looking to replace the cover of an existing polytunnel, working out how much polythene you will need is simple. With an easy to use polythene calculator, just tap in the length and height of your polytunnel, plus the distance over the hoop and the online calculator will work out the rest – in feet or in metres!  – Why not watch the video.  

Super Clear Polythene

Super Clear Polythene for Polytunnels – 720 gauge (180micron) . This film allows 95% light transmission allowing through more of the light spectrum used by plants. It also scatters light entering the tunnel. FOR USE WITH All crops which are frost hardy, where you don’t need to introduce heat, such as over wintered nursery stock, hardy herbaceous perennials, or where the tunnel is only to be used for summer production of vegetables or flower crops. 

Thermal Anti Fog Cover

Thermal Anti Fog Polythene  for Polytunnels 720 gauge (180 micron) This film has added UV A & UV B filters which dramatically reduce many fungal diseases & condensation. It also contains an Infra-Red additive designed to reduce the speed at which heat dissipates out through the cover – in heated greenhouses 15-20% fuel savings are achieved. FOR USE WITH All crops where heat is important such as bedding/annual plants & over wintered vegetable production. “This is our most popular film”

Super White Polythene

 Super White Polythene for Polytunnels 720 gauge (180 micron) This film reduces light transmission to 70%  and ultimately the temperature inside the structure. This film is most useful where sun scorch is a problem for growers. It is also suitable for animal husbandry applications and other stock and storage houses where a great build up of heat is not ideal. FOR USE WITH those plants that would normally grow under a canopy.

Algon - Polythene cleaner

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 or work surfaces. 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, why not watch the video.

Remember!!!!

                 British Summer Time ends 30th October

Traditionally, when choosing a First Tunnels Polytunnel the big decision for gardeners to make is “What size do I want?” But now, there’s another factor to take into account. “Which doors do I want?” It may not sound like an issue that warrants a lot of thought, but it’s a choice that will effect the day-to-day management of your Polytunnel. So it’s doubly important you make the perfect choice!

So…..what are the advantages of sliding doors over hinged? Simple, they save you space!  Not having to leave an area for doors to open freely into the Polytunnel opens up valuable ground space for access and cultivation. Sliding doors also give gardeners greater ease of access and extra versatility when it comes to controlling  ventilation.

Throughout October, First Tunnels are offering a FREE sliding door upgrade – 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 FREE copy of “How to Grow Food in your Polytunnel all Year Round” AND “The Polytunnel Handbook”