[pigeonpie]

I originally posted this in the buildings forum but would like to pick your grower's brains if possible...

So, we live in the Outer Hebrides in a very exposed site, about 50 - 60 metres from a sea loch. In the winter months the wind will hit in excess of 80mph at least a couple of times, and in the 40mph - 50mph at least a couple of times a month. Any buildings up here have to be built to a different spec, and off the shelf sheds don't last long. We face south so have plenty of light. However, with the sea being so close the wind is often laced with salt.

I'm planning on having a polycrub for my summer crops, tomatoes, etc. But I'd also like a good sized space that I can use for propagation, as well as for a few crops that don't normally need cover, and certainly don't want a great deal of heat, but would benefit from some protection from the elements. For example, courgettes and French beans.

The polycrubs get very warm in summer, especially with such long daylight hours, and friends who have them struggle to grow anything other than those that need a fair bit of heat, unless they're in a shadier spot.

They've now released a new design of polycrub that is constructed from opaque polycarbonate sheeting, instead of the regular transparent. I'm wondering if it would work ok for my idea and whether it would provide enough light for propagation? I'm thinking that the diffused light it would provide wouldn't be any less that when I used to put up bubble wrap in the greenhouse to prevent heat loss in the winter / early spring when I propagated stuff. What do you guys think?

[Goosegirl]

A roll of bubble wrap would be far cheaper and will give you the necessary shade and a bit of warmth for propagation. I also live about a mile from the sea and the salty winds create a lot of problems for the various plants in my garden. I grow climbing French beans and sweet corn in my sturdy greenhouse. The beans don't turn up at the end and the corn does really well because the pollen from the tassels doesn't get blown away from the silks. I just go out to give the corn stems a daily tap and see all the pollen falling on the silks. If it's a bit dry I give them a spray with water to help them settle. Others on here will advise you about how to  buy or construct something that will meet your needs. Jolly good luck to you!