Do we really need a tunnel?

Graney · Do we really need a tunnel?

At the end of last summer we were convinced we had to invest in a polytunnel. Like everyone else we'd had lots of crop failures - particularly potatoes (blighted), outdoor tomatoes (blighted), courgettes (rotted) sweet corn (not pollinated), French beans (rotted) etc etc

But then we had a look at what we had had success with in a very trying year - onions, runner beans, carrots, broad beans, lettuce, chard, peas, leeks, sprouting broccoli and realised that we'd kept ourselves in fresh veg and salads through most of the summer and autumn and we're still eating the onions.

So we're beginning to wonder whether the advantage of more reliable cropping and an extended season which a polytunnel offers is worth (a) the cost of the tunnel and (b) the daily management required for ventilation and watering.

I'd be interested to hear from those who have taken the plunge and invested in a tunnel as to whether the advantages are more or less than they expected/hoped.

wayland

Hi Graney. I would always want a tunnel/greenhouse. Not only for getting an early start of the season, which is probably the greatest advantage as stored veg is getting sad. But to also have a place whereby on a bright crisp winters day one can experience summer. Complete with deck chair, book, music and a glass of something. We do have failures in the tunnel of course but I think that they are a must. Very Happy

Graney

blowin

You get a greatly extended season for all the usual things and can grow "luxury" fruit and veg which is difficult or expensive to obtain over here . Texture and flavour is second to none .
Ventilation and watering needn't be a lot of work -- just open the doors on warm days and close them on cold nights . Leave the hosepipe running to really soak the soil once in a while . This is more lazy than efficient but you still get results .
You can significantly reduce set-up costs by making your own frame if you can do a bit of basic spot-welding . Members of this forum might even volunteer to help you put it up Wink

.............. but that will cost you an awful lot of tea and cakes ! Laughing

Having said all that I doubt they ever pay for themselves in purely commercial terms unless you take it very seriously or eat a hell of a lot of lettuce . Wayland puts his finger on it when he mentions that little haven where you can get outside and do something ( even if it is only drink beer ) whatever the weather . That can save your sanity at times ! Laughing

. We wouldn't be without ours .

quarryman

While we won't be getting a tunnel, we are going to build a poly shed. It will be a "lean to" approx 20 feet long and 12 feet wide. The uprights will be pressure treated wall plate, concreted into the ground. The rafters etc will also be preasure treated. The roof and sides will be made from corrugated PVC sheeting 12ft long and 2ft8 wide. A door one end and a window/vent the other end. All the materials should cost approx €350.

All our veg are grown outdoors so our growing season should be extended to all year round [winter greens etc in the poly] Looking forward to it.

wayland

Sounds great Quarryman. Good luck with it. Wink

Graney

OK .... I give in ..... we DO need a tunnel.

Can't say this year has been a complete disaster on the veg plot, but not far off. We've got nowhere near the crops we should have for the effort we've put in. And some crops like tomatoes have been impossible outside this year. Just not enough warmth. And others like courgettes have just rotted before they've grown.

And what's been more frustrating are the long periods when we haven't been able to do things because it's been too wet, which has meant I've missed sowing dates and haven't been able to keep up a succession of crops.

So, has anybody any recommendations for suppliers of polytunnels. I've been looking at Polydome of Birr and the one I'm interested in - 5m X 14m - is around €1250. Does that sound reasonable, or does anyone know of a cheaper source?

blowin

These guys were recommended to me and do seem competitive . I eventually got a DIY frame but bought my plastic from them . http://www.highbankonline.com/hobby.html

quarryman

This is our home made version of a "poly shed". It is almost finished and we have fitted guttering and water butts since the pic was taken. The heat builds up very well and the position lets it get "sunlight", whatever that is, from first thing in the morning, till about 6 in the evening.

wayland

Nice one Quarryman. A bloke living next door had a similar one. He painted the rear wall black to collect the heat. Worked well in the winter but the summer!!!. I brought my new cover from "First Tunnels" off their web site. Camile got his from the UK which was a very good deal as I remember. Worth a PM if he is not about. I am going to get another one this winter so please keep us posted as to how you get on. Good luck.

Camile

Good evening,

we got ours from www.firsttunnels.co.uk too ... good deal and good quality apparently.

it's a all new gardenning experience but definitely worth it as far as I'm concerned ...

I would be tempted by a second one too as the summer is so crap. .. barely nothing grows outside. ..

and nice job quarryman .. it looks well and things seems to start florishing in there ...

Camile

Graney

Thanks for those valuable suggestions Blowin and Camile. I'm looking up their websites and comparing prices. Will let you know how I get on.

Love the structure Quarryman. Look great for that situation. I haven't really got a similar site we could use. What kind of life does that material have before it goes brittle?

Oh ... just one other thought. Have users on the forum gone for the standard film or has anyone gone for the more exotic shading films and that kind of thing that seem to be on offer?

blowin

I use the standard longlife / 5 yr type . It does get a lot of beads of condensation clinging to it . This may be due to the design of our tunnel . The downside is that any leaves which grow against it tend to die off quite quickly . The unexpected upside is that the midge get stuck to and sucked into the water droplets where they drown . Mosquitoes also get caught but bees don't Very Happy

Camile

hello.

we did get the thermal anti-fog film .. a bit more expensive but apparently it has a longer life ..

and indeed no droplets or condensation on it ..

Camile

wayland

The tunnel has been very useful this summer. Not only have I got the best tomato crop ever but I have now pulled all me onions which are drying in it. I will get another one but much bigger Very Happy

. I think you should get the biggest that you can deel with. Which no dought will still be too small. Good luck.

Graney

Thanks for that information ... most useful.

We did have a chuckle about your post, Blowin. We were surprised to hear that you had a midge problem ... you've not mentioned it before Wink

I also meant to ask you, Quarry man, whether anyone had attempted the jump from the trampoline on to the roof of your structure. It looks awfully tempting Laughing

quarryman

The trampoline jumpers have, thankfully, moved on to their own places. We have tried to persuade them to take it with them but it is nearly as big as their appartments.

wayland

What crops are you going to grow in the tunnel/greenhouse this winter?

Graney

Has anyone any experience of using Colm Warren Polyhouses of Co Meath?

Their prices seem pretty competitive, but looking at the structure and profile of their tunnels, I am a little concerned about their possible vulnerability to wind damage.

Camile

Hi there,

I've seen their brochure this week from a friend that wants a tunnel too.

And he had the same reaction as you, looks weak and all ...

Sometimes I would say you might put an extra few quids and get better value.

Do get some crop bars though as they strengthen the whole structure.

Camile

wayland

This seems worth a look.

www.overthegardengate.net/UserPages/pp_view.asp?FName=Polytunnel&Page=1

Cheers.

lofty

It is definately worth a look friend of mine built one of these Diy tunnels they work out quite well. The fact that the sides are very upright is a great advantage. The polythene is the big expense, still relatively cheap compared to the manufactured tunnels though

Graney

Good one, Wayland.

That certainly is worth considering. Getting it squared up and well-braced looks pretty critical.

Would be a bit concerned about untreated wood being so structurally important .... particularly in that warm, damp environment. Is it going to last as long as the cover? Only need one bit to fail and the rigidity of the whole structure has gone.

wayland

I am going to build one of these next year. By using the banged in steel pipes to slipe the water/gas pipe over should make the structure bomb proof me thinks. The only wood used would be for the door. I will be putting in raised beeds and a poly tunnel running on wheels over these beds seems not a bad idea. Needs to be engineered of course to stop it being carried off by the wind but not a major problem. I am now on the lookout for some 2 inch pipe going on the cheap. good luck.