New Polytunnel

Hi Chopper, thanks for the info you've typed out.

My alottment plot is fully exposed to the wind and I'm siting the tunnel side on to the direction it mostly comes from. Directly in front of the tunnel to a height of 2 foot at the back will be a row of coldframes, the length of the tunnel, this should partly deflect the wind upwards and over the tunnel, the side of the tunnel facing the wind will be anchored as I described a couple of posts up, the other side will be anchored in a similar way with the addition of some staging.

The tunnel will get sunlight from dawn to almost dusk, and eventually a shed will be situated at the door end of it where rainwater will be harveted into an IBC, a couple of hosepipe filled plastic bins will suffice in the short term for watering. I've previouslly grown crops in a greenhouse so I'm used to thinking about providing for its contents.

Longer term there wlll be some structure in front of the tunnel that will provide some windbreak, but its one of the reasons I have gone for a "cheapie" first time around.

Steve...

 

Not sure what the drill is for Polytunnels, but if you don't have ventilation netting along the side (as Chopper has) you need to create through-draught, as there aren't any overhead vents to allow convection cooling ... so ... do you need to organise the door towards the prevailing wind? and a door at the far end to also open for through draught? (just thinking out-loud, not something I know the answer to)

 

I have four vents either side of the tunnel and just one door at the moment, I'm hoping that will be enough. If not I will "create" another door at the other end. I'll have a digital thermometer in there to monitor temps both min and max and certainly from spring onwards will be down there everday..it's only 3-4 mins on the mountain bike, 10 min walk away.

Steve...

 

Sorry, hadn't realised you had side vents (was relying on my memory, which obviously doesn't work!). I reckon they will be fine.

 

I've a load of ex-garden gazebo poles (large diameter verticals from the 'better' quality ones) that I thought about using for additional bracing, flattening/drilling the ends and fixing with something made from the thinnest metal straps sold at Wickes, also fitting something (tube, hardwood dowel?) inside at the ferrules before bolting the joins.