[Ferris]

Well due to some re-shuffeling in the garden I think I can look at having a smallish (say 10' x 15') polytunnel in the next month. I have looked at lots of websites and the best product/price combination appears to be First Tunnels. However never having been through the process and having looked at lots of websites, including some "build your own" plans...

a) How feasible is it acually to build a polytunnel frame out of, for example, scaffolding poles, water piping and timber, and if its easy do you really save that much money compared to buying new?

b) Can anyone recomment First Tunnels or offer an alternative value for money supplier?

c) Any other suggestions gratefully accepted.

Also my site for the polytunnel is currently my chicken run which has been pretty much cleared of any living matter by the hens - however there is quite a bit of ivy nearby and I know there are still runners under there as well as some roots from near-by shrubs. I am planning on covering with weed suppresent and then buiding raised beds inside the tunnel - can anyone tell me if thats the right thing to do?

[richyrich7]

Try this LINK for diy instructions  

[peter james]

hi i built that very tunnel i was easy to build well for me it was . and it only cost the price of the sheet (£87) that was to cover 6mtr's by 4.2mtr's .i got my 50mm blue water pipe out of a building site skip scafolding poles were already on my plot when i got it and scafold boards were from local scafold firm damaged boards. i will post some pic's of the finnished tunnel if i remember to take them while at the plot tommorrow there are some pic's on this forum somewhere of it before i put the sheet on will see if i can find them...p,j,

[peter james]

hi found it http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=13727&start=15&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight= .p,j,

[siandc]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=120325421351

A few of these will do the trick!  

Possibly not the best mouldproofing etc but pretty flippin cheap!!!!

[Ferris]

Appreciate their cheap but I dont feel very convinced they are the right thing for the job... have seen something similar on a cheap "greenhouse" and it went all holy and frayed after a few months heavy weather.... thanks for the thought but would rather spend a little more and have something that lasts.