Forking Mad+

Looking back at my Polytunnel experiment

A post from Forking Mad some years ago.

Looking back at past posts

Original post date: 6 August 2013 (12 years ago)
Title: Introducing my Polytunnel

Although I only started my gardening journey this year (2013), I've had great fun and lots of ideas. Some of my plans will need to wait until next years growing season, however I was keen to get a polytunnel or greenhouse.

After much deliberation, and an impulse buy one day, I now have a polytunnel.

I procrastinated for several weeks but time was ticking on and the usefulness of a polytunnel was diminishing for the season. My requirements were meagre -- I had a section of garden allocated, measuring 2 x 3m (6.5 x 10ft). It was not a huge space but would be more than enough for my amateur growing efforts. I checked online and had an idea of pricing (several hundred pounds) but there was also a bewildering array of options and extras.

Anyway, a visit to the local garden centre one Saturday afternoon and I chanced upon a DIY polytunnel. It looked ideal and I seemed a bargain at £100. I figured if it turned out to be mediocre it would see me through to next year; I would then invest in something more serious.

Excited by my purchase I couldn't wait to get building. Annoyingly we had an amazing run of very hot weather and the thought of construction under 26C heat did not interest me; the tunnel-kit lay in my garage for almost two weeks before I threw it together.

It took me about two hours to build, site, and secure the structure. I placed a weed control membrane inside as I plan to grow everything in containers.

Below, I give you my very own polytunnel - including a number of plants I am trying to grow late in the season.

I doubt I will get too much out of it this year, however I am ready for the spring in 2014

The Polytunnel Inside the Polytunnel

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