What's best under a polytunnel?

apywell · « **on:** March 01, 2007, 10:46 »

OK, I have purchased 4x polytunnels from Lidl this morning. I have never used them before. I have a greenhouse ready and waiting.

What is the best crop I can put under the tunnels this weekend. Can I do seed as I haven't started growing anything yet, apart from chitting potatoes.

noshed · « **Reply #1 on:** March 01, 2007, 11:33 »

Maybe broad beans, early peas, mizuna and other 'Chinese' greens. Make sure the ends are closed, otherwise you get a giant wind tunnel.
Think of what you like eating, buy some seeds and look at the back of the packets for advice.
That's what I do - b*lls it up and then learn a lesson.
It seems that the wind can be a bit more of a problem than frost these days so your tunnels should be useful.

Stevens706 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 01, 2007, 12:29 »

I’m using my cloches to dry and warm the soil prior to planting out my shallots this weekend, be careful to add good anchorage as we get really windy days this time of year, if it can blow fence panels and trees down your pollytunnel will be vulnerable.

apywell · « **Reply #3 on:** March 01, 2007, 12:54 »

I know what you mean about the wind... Really windy here today.

Thanks I guess I'll get sowing this weekend providing it's not slinging it down. Shallots and peas to start then.

apywell · « **Reply #4 on:** March 01, 2007, 13:09 »

I have noticed that there are holes on the poly covering. Is this for ventalation?

What about watering? Do I lift up the sheeting to water?

Stevens706 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 01, 2007, 13:18 »

The last pollytunnel I bought didn’t have any holes in it so I can only guess they are for ventilation, as for watering, after the plants are growing (seeds germinated), at this time of the year they should be all right as the rain will travel through the soil like a sponge, you will however need to raise the covering to weed, so you could always water then if need be.

Aidy · « **Reply #6 on:** March 01, 2007, 13:20 »

I have them out now warming the soil ready for my little gem lettuce. The holes are good as it allows some air to flow through so you dont get mould etc.

apywell · « **Reply #7 on:** March 01, 2007, 13:48 »

Ok
I've heard quite a bit about warming the soil. Maybe I'll put the tunnels up this weekend start sowing some seed under glass.

slowcompost · « **Reply #8 on:** March 01, 2007, 14:45 »

A bit early yet but dwarf runner beans do quite well under cover.

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