Hello everyone

[Alexandra]

Hi everyone,
I've just joined the site - can't believe it took me this long to find you! We moved to our smallholding 2 years ago - so far we've managed to acquire some sheep (lleyns and suffolks), chickens, a farm cat and 2 dogs. We only have 3 acres but it is more than enough - there is always something to do.
I still have loads of questions, so hope that you will be able to help, and I might be able to offer some advice as well.
Best wishes,
Mary.

[Thomzo]

Hi Alexandra and wellcome. Feel free to ask away!

Zoe

[red]

welcome

we sound in much the same boat - we have 2 acres - sheep and chickens
join in - we are a friendly crowd!

[ina]

Hiya Alexandra, and welcome to the Ishers!

Whereabouts in Scotland are you, roughly? There's a lot of "Scots" on here... I saw that you are also looking for advice on polytunnels; you might find somebody who lives in a similar area to yours and is able to give you local advice.

[Thurston Garden]

Ahoy Mary!

Ina beat me to it! Where in Scotland? East Lothian ere.

[gigglybug]

Hello and welcome

Amanda

[Alexandra]

Thank you to everyone for being so welcoming. We're near Perth, but quite high up and exposed to the elements.
Have a good New Year everyone.

[Millymollymandy]

Hi Alexandra and welcome!

[ina]

We're near Perth, but quite high up and exposed to the elements.

Well, we know all about wind in Scotland, don't we...

I have the use of an old poly tunnel, but unfortunately I can't get the sides windproof any more (the lower bit is this green wind shelter netting stuff), and this year I was rather unsuccessful with anything I tried to grow in there! Last year was fine - loads of beans and other stuff, but this year - too cold, too little sun.

[Thurston Garden]

Ina you can get a plastic curtain for the mesh side. It is fixed to a timber rail at ground level and is winched upwards to the timber rail that will be at the top of the mesh.

You can see mine fully wound up here with the white strings that pull the polythene up. There's a pole in a sleeve at the top of the poly to ensure it is pulled up evenly.

I could take more photos if you fancied making one - don't think it would be too difficult to do. I am sure you can buy the polythene with the sleeve in it. Some string, screw in eyes and a simple winch would be all that is needed.

You can then adjust the ventilation and as it is fixed at the bottom, you can ventilate the tunnel a little and prevent cold draughts blowing over your precious veggies!

[ina]

Ina you can get a plastic curtain for the mesh side. It is fixed to a timber rail at ground level and is winched upwards to the timber rail that will be at the top of the mesh.

It did have one originally, but it's all in tatters. I tried to rig up something with huge plastic bags that we had floating about, but the wind tore it down again... And as it's not my property, I don't really want to invest anything; it could be taken away from me at any time (I only grow in portable containers in there).

Oh well - one of these days, I'll win the lottery, and then I'll buy a little place nearby where I can build my own, proper polytunnel, and all sorts of other nice things! (And no, I don't buy tickets. )

[Annpan]

Oh well - one of these days, I'll win the lottery, and then I'll buy a little place nearby where I can build my own, proper polytunnel, and all sorts of other nice things! (And no, I don't buy tickets. )

I have heard that buying ticket's drastically increases your chances of winning (and no, I don't either)



Hello Alexandra, welcome to the site.

yup, quit a few of us Scots (and adopted Scots ) on here, you'll feel right at home

[Chickenlady]

Hi Mary - welcome on board!

Jane

[old tree man]

HI and welcome
I am very new to still trying to find my feet , everyone has been great

[Karen_Grace]

Hi Mary
Hope you enjoy the forum as much as Ihave