[brenda]

Hi all!!
I'm seem to be having a few problems growing veg in my polytunnel. I had turnips growing and they went to bloom and now my brocoli is doing the same.
can anybody give me any advice please?

[DD.]

I suspect it's too warm.

Nature designed them for the great outdoors.

[Elcie]

It is amazing how high the temperature can get, especially when the sun is out, even at this time of year.  Grow some plants that enjoy a bit of extra heat - tomatoes, chillis, peppers, cucumbers etc.

[celjaci]

When was the turnip sown?
In a polytunnel it could probably be sown in January and cropped by now but would need plenty of ventillation

[brenda]

It is amazing how high the temperature can get, especially when the sun is out, even at this time of year.  Grow some plants that enjoy a bit of extra heat - tomatoes, chillis, peppers, cucumbers etc.

The polytunnel is  hot and has very little ventilation in it, we were thinking of putting in mesh pannels inside the main doors, that way we could leave doors open during day and keep hens and bugs out!!
Last year I planted brocoli and cauliflower outside in large tubs and they grew well until the cabbage white butterfly caterpillars got them

[DD.]

It's still an unstuitable environment for brassicas, even with ventilation.

Grow them outside, but protect them from the butterflies with fine mesh or fleece.

[brenda]

It's still an unstuitable environment for brassicas, even with ventilation.

Grow them outside, but protect them from the butterflies with fine mesh or fleece.

I will give it another go growing them outside, at the moment Im growing carrots parsnips  and potatoes will they be ok with the heat of the tunnel?
the cabbages are quite big and have done well.

[DD.]

I'm not a polytunnel expert, so I'll let someone who's done it answer that question.

I just know that brassicas do not like too much warmth.

[brenda]

I'm not a polytunnel expert, so I'll let someone who's done it answer that question.

I just know that brassicas do not like too much warmth.

Thanks for your help I really appreciate it!

[DD.]

Thanks for the thanks!

[GrannieAnnie]

They do say you can grow anything in a polytunnel, but look at the big commercial ones and they are very well vented.

I did grow some potatoes in mine a couple of years ago, but the doors were open all summer.  The potatoes were nice, no scab, but the tops grew very leggy and used to fall over when watered, and the yield wasn't as good as those grown outside.  I also grew some cauliflowers, but they got white fly bad.  Runner Beans did alright, but had to be watered very well.

[noshed]

I've found that brassicas definately like to be outside but covered in enviromesh - you get lovely clean cabbages like that. I ate 2 of my Hispis yesterday in fact.
All the old boys on our site build home-made tunnels and grow loads of peppers and toms, that's what small ones seem to be best for.

[GrannieAnnie]

That's mainly what I grow in mine.  Toms, chillies, cucumbers, aubergines, melons, although I've not grown a proper one yet, courgettes sometimes, and peas and runners usually (peas and runners only when I've got spare plants that won't fit outside!)