We all know the impact of increased prices at the supermarket and soaring food bills, so it is no surprise that polytunnels are growing ever more popular. As more and more people head out to their gardens and allotments to grow their own fresh produce, there has never been a better time to make sure you have a polytunnel on your plot.
Designed as a simple and cost effective replacement for glasshouses, polytunnels have become the structure of choice for everyone from the hobby gardener to the commercial grower as they produce increased yields and reduce diseases that can damage plants. A simple and economical way to cover a large area, a polytunnel puts you in control of nature… weather, pests, watering and ventilation are all under your control.
What can I grow in a Polytunnel throughout the year?
The beauty of a polytunnel means that, thanks to higher levels of heat and humidity, it is possible to extend the growing season at both ends of the year; spring begins earlier and winter is kept outdoors. So you can see why a polytunnel really is the best tool that a fruit and vegetable gardener can have! Growing your own fruit, veg and herbs not only saves money, it also reduces your carbon footprint and allows you to enjoy foods that are tastier and higher in vitamins. Premier Polytunnels estimates that 90% of British strawberries are grown in polytunnels.
But it’s not just fruit and veg that thrive under cover; it is possible to grow anything from a moss to a cactus. The cut flowers that people spend a lot of money on for Valentine’s Day are likely to have originated in polytunnels all over the world and many award winning flowers are grown under the specially designed polythene cover of a polytunnel.
With a Thermal Anti Drip polythene cover you can experience a Mediterranean or even Tropical climate on your UK plot, making it possible for amateur gardeners to grow exotic fruits and other plants that would not normally flourish in Britain.
During the colder months a polytunnel offers protection from light frost, allowing you to grow overwintering veg and salad crops. On chilly, wet days there is nothing more tranquil than listening to the rain clatter down on your polytunnel while you relax and tend your plants inside.
My plot is exposed to strong winds – will a Polytunnel blow away in strong winds?
It is a common misconception that a piece of polythene stretched over a frame could never stand up to a British winter. Commercial growers, whose livelihoods depend on polytunnels, would not accept a structure that disappeared over the nearest hill just when their tender shoots are at their most vulnerable. If constructed according to the instructions, a polytunnel will give many years of uninterrupted use.
When constructing a polytunnel it is important to ensure that the framework is well anchored to the ground and, most importantly, that the polythene cover is tight – everything else has a huge margin for error.
What size of Polytunnel should I buy?
The million dollar question on many people’s lips is “what size should I get?” The answer from Premier Polytunnels is the biggest you can fit on your plot and the biggest your budget will allow! A keen gardener will fill a polytunnel, no matter what size it is, and many of polytunnel customers return after one or two seasons to extend their existing tunnel.
Where can I buy one?
Order your polytunnel from Premier Polytunnels and start enjoying the advantages of a healthy, self-sufficient lifestyle today.
Order online: www.premierpolytunnels.co.uk
Call for a free brochure: 01282 811250
E-mail the team: sales@premierpolytunnels.co.uk
