maintaining polytunnels

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Permalink Reply by Flighty on February 19, 2011 at 14:29

Hello Laura, and welcome!  I would guess that being 20 years old whatever repairs you do won't last long. As to what to sow I sure that you'll sort out what and when.

I presume from your last words that you have to pay for the water you use?  Do you not save any with rain barrels, etc.

Sorry if I'm not being much help!  

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Permalink Reply by Stephen Shirley on February 19, 2011 at 14:53

A patch beside a patch is neighbourly; a patch upon a patch is beggerley!

 

As Flighty says, repairs on a skin this old just wont last.

 

Have a chat with the very nice people at First Tunnels and get some advice on options of a new skin.

 

 

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Permalink Reply by laura Madden on February 19, 2011 at 18:52

Yes and I live in the wettest part of Ireland so constantly full are the water barrels.  In fact i just planted my first lettuce seeds of the season and found some heartsease pansies that had self seeded in the tunnel.    Have decided to do a patch job and put the whole problem on the long green finger.... thanks for the replies.

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Permalink Reply by Debbie on March 13, 2011 at 20:18

am still considering a mini-polytunnel for my garden. How's yours coming on?

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Permalink Reply by laura Madden on March 13, 2011 at 20:26

i finally decided to patch it up rather than replace the polythene.  Its fantastic.  i've started sowing loads of salad seeds, potatoes, beetroot, onions, carrots and everything has germinated.  Definitely suggest you go ahead.  Its a real head start in the garden and then you can grow loads of heat loving veggies all year such as chillies aubergines, even fruit trees....I would go for as big as you can afford or as much space as you can provide.  Good luck. 

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Permalink Reply by Debbie on March 13, 2011 at 20:31

Thanks Laura. It does seem a tempting idea but by the time I buy the polytunnel and all the extras I could have a greenhouse for less. Still open to ideas and suggestions before I jump!

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Permalink Reply by Darren Blick on March 13, 2011 at 20:35

The polythene is cheaper to replace than the frame so if you want to keep it, replace the cover.

If it has lasted 20 years, you have had a really good run with it

Have you ever thought about a net cover? Depends on the use but makes a good fruit cage etc

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Permalink Reply by Darren Blick on March 13, 2011 at 20:37

10x8 greenhouse is approx £400, 15'x12' poly tunnel with anti fog cover, crop bars and storm braces, one single door at one end only is £350 (just got a price a I was between the two)

Debbie said:

Thanks Laura. It does seem a tempting idea but by the time I buy the polytunnel and all the extras I could have a greenhouse for less. Still open to ideas and suggestions before I jump!

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Permalink Reply by Debbie on March 13, 2011 at 20:51

OUCH way above my budget so I may have to think again boo hoo

Darren Blick said:

10x8 greenhouse is approx £400, 15'x12' poly tunnel with anti fog cover, crop bars and storm braces, one single door at one end only is £350 (just got a price a I was between the two)

Debbie said:

Thanks Laura. It does seem a tempting idea but by the time I buy the polytunnel and all the extras I could have a greenhouse for less. Still open to ideas and suggestions before I jump!

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Permalink Reply by laura Madden on March 13, 2011 at 20:52

hi debbie - did you see this?  Darren posted on my page and since i'm so new to this don't know how much of the discussions each person can see...so thought i'd post to you..

Darren Blick said:

10x8 greenhouse is approx £400, 15'x12' poly tunnel with anti fog cover, crop bars and storm braces, one single door at one end only is £350 (just got a price a I was between the two)

Debbie said:

Thanks Laura. It does seem a tempting idea but by the time I buy the polytunnel and all the extras I could have a greenhouse for less. Still open to ideas and suggestions before I jump!

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Permalink Reply by Debbie on March 13, 2011 at 20:53

as I pressed 'add reply' I realised that the £350 was for a 15' x 12' polytunnel. What about one half that size? I'm thinking of about 8-10ft by 6ft.

Darren Blick said:

10x8 greenhouse is approx £400, 15'x12' poly tunnel with anti fog cover, crop bars and storm braces, one single door at one end only is £350 (just got a price a I was between the two)

Debbie said:

Thanks Laura. It does seem a tempting idea but by the time I buy the polytunnel and all the extras I could have a greenhouse for less. Still open to ideas and suggestions before I jump!

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Permalink Reply by Debbie on March 13, 2011 at 20:54

Hi Laura, yes we can see whatever anyone posts on your discussions. Thanks, though, I wouldn't want to miss anything!

laura Madden said:

hi debbie - did you see this?  Darren posted on my page and since i'm so new to this don't know how much of the discussions each person can see...so thought i'd post to you..

Darren Blick said:

10x8 greenhouse is approx £400, 15'x12' poly tunnel with anti fog cover, crop bars and storm braces, one single door at one end only is £350 (just got a price a I was between the two)

Debbie said:

Thanks Laura. It does seem a tempting idea but by the time I buy the polytunnel and all the extras I could have a greenhouse for less. Still open to ideas and suggestions before I jump!

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