Neglected Polytunnel

  • 7 Replies
  • 3263 Views
*

KaySee

  • New Member
  • *
  • Location: Wickford, Essex
  • 10
Neglected Polytunnel
« on: October 11, 2016, 16:42 »
Hi,

I have been in hospital for the last 3 months and there wasn't anyone to take care of my polytunnel while I was away, actually I've been back about a month but couldn't pluck up the courage to look. Today I girded my loins and peeked inside and to my amazement the tunnel was full of foliage.

I'm doubly surprised because all the vents had been sealed all through the hot summer months, and I would have thought the heat alone would have killed everything. Second for whole three months they have had no water, the tunnel has raised beds so there couldn't be a lot of moisture retained in the soil.

The tomatoes had grown to fill about a third of the tunnel, very few fruit and most of the ripe fruit was rotting on the vine, but they are still covered with flowers.

The peppers and chilli's are covered in fruit, some are rotten but most are edible.

Only one of the cucumbers survived, but with only one yellow fruit.

The marrows have a lot of buds but no fruit.

The squash are also covered with flowers but still no fruit.

All the strawberries have died except one.

The question is what should I do?

1. Could the tomatoes still produce fruit? if so should I prune them, say remove any foliage from the bottom of the stems and prune any brunches without flowers?

2. Is it to late for the marrows to mature?

3. Same question for the squash.

KaySee

*

mumofstig

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: Kent
  • 57877
Re: Neglected Polytunnel
« Reply #1 on: October 11, 2016, 17:39 »
If we have a warm autumn you might be lucky and get a few toms, if they're cherry varieties - I'd remove bottom foliage and just tidy them up a tad. (I've still got a couple of cherry toms fruiting and ripening, but the big'uns have given up! Give them a shake now and then to free the pollen.

IMO too late for cukes, marrows and squash - they take much longer to fruit and ripen.

*

KaySee

  • New Member
  • *
  • Location: Wickford, Essex
  • 10
Re: Neglected Polytunnel
« Reply #2 on: October 11, 2016, 18:01 »
Ok, I thought as much.

I think I will just clear it out and start prepping for next year.

Any suggestions regarding planting an interim quick growing crop?

KaySee

*

mumofstig

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: Kent
  • 57877
Re: Neglected Polytunnel
« Reply #3 on: October 11, 2016, 20:06 »
Joy Larkcom suggests oriental greens (mibuna, mizuna, pak choi) you can buy mixed packets of these.
Also Red Russian kale and Cavolo Nero (Black Tuscan Kale) These can be used for cut&come again leaves, or left til spring to eat.
Salad crops: Spinach, loose-leaf lettuces, rocket, cress, mustard and salad rape.
You can start some perennial spinach/swiss chard off indoors and then plant it in the tunnel.

*

snowdrops

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: Burbage,Leics
  • 19511
Re: Neglected Polytunnel
« Reply #4 on: October 11, 2016, 21:31 »
Ok, I thought as much.

I think I will just clear it out and start prepping for next year.

Any suggestions regarding planting an interim quick growing crop?

KaySee

That sounds very realistic, you can take your time & enjoy the process, might be quite cathartic
A woman's place is in her garden.

See my diary pages here
and add a comment here

*

KaySee

  • New Member
  • *
  • Location: Wickford, Essex
  • 10
Re: Neglected Polytunnel
« Reply #5 on: October 14, 2016, 19:00 »
I might consider some oriental greens, but I have a little 'Sun garden' that grows most of the greens I need, what about radish and beetroot will they mature enough in the polytunnel before the winter sets in?

@snowdrops. I'm sure it will be, and it will give me time to put in some better plant support and a drip irrigation system on a timer.

*

sunshineband

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: Reading, Berkshire
  • 32056
  • Tallest Sunflower prizewinner 2014
    • A Little Bit of Sunshine
Re: Neglected Polytunnel
« Reply #6 on: October 15, 2016, 15:50 »
I would doubt that radish or beetroot would grow much of a root at this time in the year tbh, but you could start off some spring onions, which should overwinter and then grow away quite quickly next season

Plus broad beans, or mangetout peas
Wisdom is knowing what to ignore - be comfortable in your own skin.
My Blog
My Diary
My Diary Comments

*

KaySee

  • New Member
  • *
  • Location: Wickford, Essex
  • 10
Re: Neglected Polytunnel
« Reply #7 on: October 19, 2016, 14:41 »
I think I'll concentrate on getting a good start for next year, thanks for the suggestions though.



xx
polytunnel

Started by thecakebaker on Growing in Greenhouses & Polytunnels

12 Replies
5140 Views
Last post June 14, 2011, 17:28
by zopadooper
xx
Why buy a polytunnel ?

Started by fibilou on Growing in Greenhouses & Polytunnels

14 Replies
5542 Views
Last post August 05, 2011, 19:21
by japagow
xx
Diy polytunnel

Started by ricky on Growing in Greenhouses & Polytunnels

9 Replies
5676 Views
Last post September 19, 2019, 16:25
by snowdrops
xx
Looking for a new Polytunnel

Started by shropshiregreenfingers on Growing in Greenhouses & Polytunnels

8 Replies
2666 Views
Last post March 04, 2023, 17:05
by Dinah
 

Page created in 0.172 seconds with 37 queries.

Powered by SMFPacks Social Login Mod
Powered by SMFPacks SEO Pro Mod |