Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat
Growing => Growing in Greenhouses & Polytunnels => Topic started by: Mark's Sussex Allotment on April 23, 2014, 19:54
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Evening all,
My parents-in-law have just erected a polytunnel that is 25 foot long, but it only gets mottled sunshine throughout the day, and will be in shade for about 5-7 hours a day.
Are they likely to be able to grow anything. I have said no, but they are convinced they know best.
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Lots of things will grow, but will probably be very leggy.
Totty
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Leafy greens will probably be OK, but then you really don't need a polytunnel to grow them.
I'd agree with Totty that most of the stuff you would look to grow undercover - tomatoes, peppers, aubergines and the like - will get leggy and drawn through lack of sun.
Why did they site the polytunnel where they have wizzyfax? Is it the only option or do they have a sunnier spot available? Might be worth moving it if they can or can they prune back whatever is shading the tunnel :)
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My polytunnel is shaded by next door for some of the day and in full sunshine other times. I get a reasonable crop of tomatoes (2-3 kgs per plant) and cucumbers. Peppers don't seem to do as well and I get more lettuces than we can eat over the winter.
Any protected space is (almost) better than none :D and the real problem I have is keeping the temperature down when the sun is on the tunnel (its up to 40C now with both ends open).
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Unfortunately, it's the only place it could be situated.
I told them not to bother, but they wouldnt listen.
I'm just worried everything will ge too leggy, but hey ho, it's not my problem I guess.
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Mottled sunshine at best and full shade for such a long period of the day is not ideal.
It may prove a struggle to grow some of the more sun loving crops, but they will just have to try things and see what works :)