Polytunnel problem

[Green Aura]

We bought a tunnel from First tunnels. Frame went up just fine but we never seem to have calm enough weather up here to fit the polythene. We've tried in what is relatively calm weather and had to abandon it.

We've got their aluminium base rail kit which is supposedly easier than trench digging etc but we're having real difficulty.

Any tips on getting it on in one piece when it's breezy?

[Thurston Garden]

When putting the skin on ours (with a timber base rail) there was just a hint of a breeze as the tide was coming in. I had 14 helpers rallied round and could not have them standing idle until the tide turned and the breeze dropped. My Dad had the idea of lying the polythene on the ground on the windward side and, whilst standing on the inside of the frame (i.e. in the tunnel), we fitted the polythene to the timber base rail really easily.

Now that the polythene was fitted to the tunnel, we took the opposite edge (i.e. the long end) and used the breeze to help us. Whilst pulling the polythene over the top of the frame, the breeze helped carry it. Because it was already fixed to the base on the windward side, very very little air got underneath the polythene (i.e. inside the tunnel) and lifted it up above the frame. Instead, it was pushing the polythene down onto the frame, and helped us as it slid over the top of the hoops.

You cannot have enough helpers. Not sure what size of tunnel you are erecting, but it took 14 of us from 8:30am until 1.00pm to put the polythene on our 100ft by 30ft! Mind you, there was much worrying and explaining and waiting for the breeze to die down for the first hour and the laydies dissaperared after the long sides were all fixed to start the workers lunch.

Hope this helps, but please shout if I can help explain anything further!

The polythene will be pretty robust - we were kneeling on mine to pull the skin taught, but be careful of leaving knuckle marks where people grab the polythene and pull with all their mite!

[Green Aura]

Thanks for that

We actually discussed fitting it along one long side first as it seemed to make sense, but decided to follow the instructions instead (even though they were totally counter-intuitive).

I think tomorrow we'll try it that way.

You make me feel totally inadequate - our 10' x 15' polytunnel seems so big to us after our small greenhouse in our old house.

Thanks again
Maggie

[Thurston Garden]

It's not the size that matters, it's what you do in it

[JR]

Wasnt sure where to post this but as when I was looking on google it sent me here, I thought why not.

How to build your own! This chap has made a fab tunnel and made some good instructions for anyone wanting to have a go!

http://www.overthegardengate.net/UserPa ... nel&Page=1

[Green Aura]

Tunnel now up and running - thanks to neighbours helping to put the skin on.
It's now full of tomatoes etc and the aforesaid neighbours are all waiting with baited breath for the next big wind to carry it off into Balnakeil Bay!!! If it survives the winter I fear Balnakeil may find itself full of polytunnels.
Maggie

[ina]

Keeping my fingers crossed for you!

[Thurston Garden]

Good news Maggie !

It continues to amaze me just how much wind tunnels can cope with. If you got the polythene nice and taut (one of the benefits of the base rail system!) and it is well fixed into the ground, it will be very robust.

They do flex (worryingly) in strong winds and inside them is not a nice place to be on a windy day. On a rainy day, now that's an absolute pleasure!

You will never look back!

PS - where's the pictures?

[Green Aura]

Will try later. Currently having trouble uploading pics to flickr. The tomatoes are looking good (bit spindly because they had to stay in their pots too long but they'll fill out nicely in a few days.
The peppers are looking a bit sickly though - I'm thinking it might be too cold for them even though we've had no frosts for weeks - they've gone white at the end of the leaves.
Oh well they grow or not. The chilles look great. Weird huh?
Thanks for all your good wishes - I'll try to sort out the pics when yahoo stop buggering me about.
Maggie

[Bluebell]

Hi
Just reading about your experiences with polytunnels. We are wanting to put two polytunnels on our land, each approximately 30ft x 12 ft, however, we have been told by the council that we need to apply for full planning permission as polytunnels are classed as buildings. I am interested to know if others have had to get planning permission before erecting theirs.
Thanks
Bluebell

[Thurston Garden]

I have a 30by 12 in the house garden. I did not apply for consent and it has been there for 5 years without challenge.

I have a 100 by 30 in the field and went to the planners well in advance to see if I needed consent (I was packing in my job to start a new venture and could not have managed if the planners had descended on me afterwards). They did not have a clue - write to us was the answer. I duly did, enclosing a plan and brochure extracts. I got no reply. So I chased them and the apologised and said they would get round to it. Months passed and the start date was looming for my new venture so I wrote again explaining what I had done for them and what I intended to do: to erect the tunnel, quit my job and start a sustainable business. Come and get me if you dare so to speak. Not surprisingly I heard nothing.

[Bluebell]

You are so lucky Thurston Garden.
We did as you did - i.e. wrote first to say what we wanted to do and like you, have given up a job to concentrate on growing and hopefully making a little out of it. Unfortunately our planners did respond, saying polytunnels were buildings and as our land is not very big it did not meet permitted development rights and therefore we have to put in full planning permission. I think with hindsight we should have just put it up and dealt with it later. Doh !!
Bluebell