How to maximise growing space in a polytunnel?

Evening all,

I have just acquired a new polytunnel and I have also managed to get my mitts on lots of wood and I was wondering how would you build from scratch the inside of this polytunnel to maximise its full potential?

Any ideas/tips would be most welcome!

Samuel

 

How wide is the Polytunnel?

Single path down the middle is most space efficient, provided that you can reach the beds on either side, if not then twin-path down the middle - allowing you to reach the two outside-beds, and the middle bed from either side (bed needs to be 4' wide, or less, to be able to reach to the middle from each side)

 

What size tunnel have you got?

I constructed this staging/shelving set up about 3 years ago and haven't thought of any improvements yet. (described in detail in this thread http://gardenerscorner.co.uk/forum/threads/my-£50-polytunnel-from-ebay.31800/ )

Horizontal rails to hold removable staging panels



Staging panels in position and top shelf added



Staging panels in place one side and removed other side to grow tomatoes. The rails are useful for fixing canes to.



The staging panels



Those tomatoes have grown



Grown some more



End of season, time for a clear up and to put the staging panels back.



The next season and the staging is full up again. I added more removable staging and high level shelving at the end.



Then it's removed again for the summer tomatoes.



Taken a few days ago, the staging in mainly covered in strawberries from runners potted up last autumn.

 

Wow, thank you all for your replies!

My tunnel is 4.5 metres x 2 metres wide. It is not as strong as my other one in terms of the structure material. The other one is 3 metres long by 2 metres wide. I will try to post some pictures of it now.

 

Scrungee - how big is your polytunnel & I think I am going to take inspiration from your pictures - you have any plans/blue print/general advice I can follow?

I was lucky to get my hands on lots of different size wood so I have enough I reckon.

Many thanks,

Samuel

 

Ah apologies I didn't see your link!

 

I think a central path is all you will be able to do (if I am answering the right question?)

 

Here is a view of our Community Allotment tunnel, A central bed, staging along both sides for seedlings the large pots on the ground contain tomatoes of various varieties. Members of the Community Allotment can share the growing facilities on the staging. The crops in the centre are sent to the GiM Veg-Bag scheme, although members can take some crops for themselves.
a-a

 

I have a 4mx2m and only have one path down middle and a bed each side at 750mm

 

That tunnel with the staging is 4 x 2.5m, no plans I made it up as I went along.