12 February 2025
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Becky Searle explains the many benefits of these undercover spaces
There are few things that provoke that “ jolly on Christmas first light ” stratum of excitement when you ’re an grownup , but getting a sword new polytunnel is definitely one of them . As thoughts twist to all the tremendous things you could now grow whatever - the - atmospheric condition . Tomato vine groaning with fruit , watermelons the size of your head and enough loofahs to fill a whole bathtub . you could now enjoy a mug of afternoon tea and listen to the rain fall outdoors safe in the cognition that you could carry on gardening no matter .
My polytunnel is my seaport . When I take the air deep down , the world around me disappearance away , and it ’s just me and my plants . Besides being a wonderful place to hide out from your family , or take protection during showers , polytunnels are unbelievable growing spaces . As they can be place directly onto bare ground , sens or a hardstanding blank . They be less than glasshouse to buy and they are super versatile too .
A polytunnel will stir up up during the daylight , far surpassing outdoor temperatures , and confine onto its warmth as temperatures outside start to throw off . Increased temperature mean increased growth rate , and they mean that we can extend the season for plants that are sensible to the common cold . Chillis , for example , require a long growing season . They need warmth to shoot and develop , and they will not suffer low temperatures . Naturally , they develop in land that accommodate their particular needs . So , when we need to grow them in this country , we have to manipulate the conditions to suit them . The same can be suppose for many crops , and even those that are broad of the coldness will grow quicker inside a polytunnel because the warmth help to power the chemical reaction inside the plant that fuel growth .
A well - built polytunnel with tight plastic skin is surprisingly robust against strong winds and will offer your plants valuable security all year around . This means that if you need to develop the consummate dinnerplate Dahlia pinnata for the local flower show , you may bet it wo n’t be batter by rain and wind just at the critical moment !
So door and side vents are very useful . Polytunnels will get very warm in the summer very quickly so it ’s indispensable to have cooling airflow , and sometimes some blending so that works do n’t hurt from warmth focus , and to help prevent humidity - loving pathogens such as blight from take cargo hold .
ensure that you could keep up with the watering inside your tunnel . Using compost mulch and a no - dig approach can assist the grime retain H2O , so you need to water less , and robotic watering systems can help appear after your plants when you ’re not on bridge player
