[Stratts]

Hi guys I am still new to veg growing in general having not had my allotment a year yet so please be gentle!

I have the materials at my disposal through work to create a polytunnel on my plot max size 12ft long by 6ft wide without taking too much room away from everything else.

What sort of benefit would I gain by making one and what could I grow in there that would not grow on my plot?  I don't have a greenhouse or room for one yet either at home or on the plot really!

Cheers

Stratts

[LilacSandy]

Hi Stratts,

If you do not have a greenhouse at home you could grow tomatoes, peppers, melons, Aubergines or any plant that is frost tender and needs a long growing season.

You can also extend your growing season by a few weeks either end of the year and it is great for starting off hardy plants like onions, Broad Beans or leeks etc.

[Stratts]

Ok thanks does it tend to keep the weeds down as something that size would be tough for me to crawl through as I'm a big *!! 

Or thinking out of the box could I do a cover over some raised beds that I could lift off?!

[LilacSandy]

Hi Stratts, If you are thinking of building one yourself you need it to be at least high enough for you to walk in as tomato plants can grow up to 6' in height.  If you just want to give some protection then build something to go over your raised beds, but you must bear in mind how tall the plants you want to protect will grow. 

[Yorkie]

Double check the rules on your site, as some have restrictions on what structures can be erected and/or their size.

[Stratts]

Thanks guys there are some big old fruit frames and nets already on other plots so should be ok 

[Yorkie]

Not necessarily.  On our site you need permission for a formal structure such as a shed, greenhouse or polytunnel, but not for something like a fruit net / cage.  Just check your lease to be sure.

[sunshineband]

I hope you are allowed a mini tunnel at your site

I wouldn't be without mine.

Last year I had two courgettes in mine, as well as tomatoes etc. They were a variety (parthenon) that didn't need pollinating and we had courgettes from the beginning of May until early October from them.