Steve's Polytunnels

In addition to 'stone throwers' aluminium framed greenhouses are coming increasingly under attack by scrap metal theives, so probably best kept at home.

P.S. If buying a polytunnel from 'Feelgood', if you click through using the link under their advert on this forum's homepage, then Gardeners Corner will get a contribution (that will assist with running costs) from that company.

 

Plenty of things I have searches for on eBay that I'm not in a hurry for ... so good luck with your hunt (I presume you are knowledgeable on an eBay search strategy to find items as specific as possible, and mail you when you get a "hit", but if not happy to explain how I do it in case helpful). Bought a greenhouse heater today at only 30% of its listed price - off-season already, of course, and I'm happy to store it until next Winter and I bought something last week that I have had a search running for over the last 4 or 5 years!

I'm sure you've considered it, but I assumed I would be able to join my two greenhouses end-to-end as both the same width & brand, but I hadn't considered that the roof pitch might be (and indeed is!!) different.

 

Rain has held me up this week (same for everyone I guess), but I've managed to get on with this yesterday and surround the beds with timber boards and build a door frame at either end of the tunnel. There where three poles across the bottom of each end of the tunnel, holding either side together, I've removed the middle one at each end and drilled holes into the door frames to accept the loose ends. This means I'm not tripping over this bar, nor is it getting in the way of a door.



The bed retaining boards are fixed to stakes two feet into the ground and two feet out and in turn the polytunnel frame is tied to these boards and eventually to the stakes too.





A trench was dug all around the tunnel to sink and anchor the cover.





Cover fitted and trenches roughly filled.



Steve...

 

wow, this is brilliant!! this has made me so want to get the metal version and do this much cheaper than buying a commercial one, and still looks great brilliant project, and more pics please!! :D

 

I should have posted this over a week ago!!

I've got the door on now.



There is a door frame ready at the other end of the tunnel for a door when I have more time later in the season, and I have built some tempoarary staging to help bring plants on, this is over a bed which is ready to plant and the staging can be dismantled in around five minutes to get access to it.





The other half of the tunnel has been planted with strawberries.



Steve...

 

Doing well there Steve

 

Very inspiring Steve.

I'm new to gardening. Got some plants from a friend last year, now I'm hooked. I just finished putting up my 2 x 3 metre version of your tunnel. Would have preferred the larger version but my garden just couldn't take it.

I'll be using all the tricks you've shared to get the most out of it.

 

Brilliant posts, Steve - thanks for your efforts. We're all looking forward to reading more of your polytunnel exploits! Can't wait.....

 

This is a great thread!
I have just bought a 10'x 6 "blow away" and will be putting it in position by myself. I will be digging the trenches and anchoring as you did your first one, Steve. Do you have any last minute advice to try and make this easier an old lady???

 

I realise your putting it up yourself, but if you could get an extra pair of hands for putting the cover on, then that would be advantageous. It can be done by yourself however.

Also consider using "anti hot spot tape" on the frame as this extends the life of your cover.

Good luck and we would love to see some photo's of it under construction, when finished and when your growing in it.

Steve...

 

Thank you. I have some tape so I'll do that.

 

Hi Steve, Just wanted to say what a brilliant post this is, the best I have come across about polytunnels. I've just ordered the first polytunnel (which is the same as your first one) and can't wait to get started. Many thanks for inspiring me and giving some useful tips

 

You little Spybot you, I know what you're up to

 

My first tunnel, now four years old has become a victim to the recent heavy winds. It was the white powder coated frame and to be honest I am surprised it has lasted this long, I never expected to get last season from it as the frame is atrocious. Never buy powder coated frames, go for galvanised every time. Galvanised frames on these cheaper (in money) tunnels where not available when I bought this one.





This is the top of the first hoop where it connects to the ridge bar, both have snapped.




I had just dug the beds over and mulched with FYM, so the tunnel was ready for the new season.



Close up of the break, you can clearly see it's completely corroded.




A galvanised replacement tunnel will replace it this week or next.

Steve...