Poly-tunnel

[Ruvio]

Right, I've decided to build a Poly-tunnel for next year, so I can grow some different things...just for variety.

Has anyone else here got one? Any tips on how to save money? tips on building etc?

Thanks in advance ladies and gents

 

[British Red]

My honest answer - as a money saving tip - is "don't". They are good for commercial purposes, less good for domestic. For me, I'd look on freecycle for a greenhouse - you can get them for nothing if you disassemble, remove and re-erect. Nothing fancy but a basic 8x6 is often around.

If you do go down the poly tunnel route, consider carefully the orientation to the sun and prevailing wind - siting is all - and get a couple of mates to help with getting the skin on!

 

[Ruvio]

Oh we've already got a greenhouse mate
Going for complete self sufficiency on the veggie front though, with plenty to share with neighbours etc.
I'll have a look on freecycle for stuff though, tar BR

 

[British Red]

Fair play. In that case, bear in mind a poly has a short life span. Have a scrat round the Wash area. Stacks of poles on farms round me in Lincs without a cover - bet you could buy a complete 20' frame for a bottle of scotch and then source a new cover.

Lots of luck with the self sufficiency thing - its the very reason I'm moving to Lincs in a few weeks

 

[Marttiini Girl]

try here, http://www.self-sufficient.co.uk/Make-Your-Own-DIY-Polytunnel.htm
I would love to have a poly tunnel, but make do with my postage stamp size garden

 

[Ruvio]

Thanks Marttiini girl, i'd not seen that.
Where abouts in Lincs are you moving BR? I'd be hay to point out some nice spots for you, since it's where i live now

 

[British Red]

Between Boston and the Wash Ruvio

 

[johnnytheboy]

Guy at my work has a polytunnel and doesnt use it, how sad, if i had it it would be full

 

[Silverhill]

I moved from Spalding over 10 years ago, and every time I go back to see the 'olds, I see the old 'market garden' enterprises which have fallen by the wayside with polytunnels still erect! Like British Red said; a bottle of Scotch and a bit of elbow grease and you'll be sorted.
The last time I looked, the area between Surfleet and Gosberton yielded many old polytunnels and greenhouses. If you go off the beaten track a way, you can find some cracking examples!!

 

[Eric_Methven]

I've had one for years.

Eric

 

[Ruvio]

Looks excellent Eric

And I live in Bourne, so only a short walk from the farmland. Lovely area near boston, and they have an absolutely amazing market on weekends, best I've seen outside london really.
If you fancy a bindle, I'll be up for it most likely

 

[Minotaur]

I would love to have a poly tunnel, but make do with my postage stamp size garden

You would be amazed at what you can do, have a look at square foot gardening(The idea is good, not so sure about the required products), or some of the permaculture people.

Spuds, and Toms are almost idiot proof. Trust Me!

 

[locum76]

Polytunnels can be pretty cheap if you build them yourself.

There's a company called Northern Polytunnels which sells 18ft*60ft tunnels for around £1200 including overhead irrigation. You'll need a good team of mates to get the cover on though. The cover should last 12 years or so, we've got to replace a couple at work and they only cost £260 each for the same size of tunnel.

The others are right you should be able to get a frame for almost nothing from old market garden enterprises. Getting the feet out of the ground could be a challenge though.

 

[hairyhippy]

On our allotment there was one chap who bought / blagged a cheap cover - which was great until the first breeze - whereupon it shredded.

We have three other gardeners who bought more expensive covers which are still going strong. There's a lesson there I feel.

You also need good ventilation to keep plants healthy.

 

[demographic]

DIY polytunnel using blue water pipe and scaffolding ends.