Advice on polytunnels

[Rjaydee]

Hello everyone. I am a new member and will be taking over my allotment in the new year. I have been sharing it this year with a lovely lady who is having to give it up due to advancing years.
I am thinking about getting myself a polytunnel, but would appreciate any advice on them before I commit myself to the expense.
Are they worth it, are there any good books worth reading, what kind of crops do people grow, can they remain productive over winter? - that sort of thing.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated
Thanks in advance
rjaydee

[Lauren S]

Hello Rjaydee and welcome to A4A.
I'm sorry I cannot answer any of your polytunnel questions, but several A4A members have them and no doubt will be along shortly to help you with the answers you need.

Congrats on getting your allotment and good luck for next season.

Lauren 

[manicscousers]

hiya, rjaydee, here are some pics of ours,
we get loads of different crops from our tunnel..very early spuds, melons, chillie and sweet peppers, we can extend the season by about 6 weeks, before and after
we have chinese leaves, lettuce, carrots,growing now.. still picking tomatoes and peppers, although these are on their last legs
we also got some sweet potatoes this year, we love our polytunnel and can't think of not having one 

[Rjaydee]

Thanks to both of you for your replies. I am really tempted to give it a go, but as the plot is not officially mine yet I have plenty of time to decide!

[saddad]

If you do get one don't put the door facing into the wind!!! 

[Eristic]

A few things to bear in mind:

Make sure you are allowed to have them.
Do not underestimate how much time they will require. Daily visits from March - Sept.
Buy the biggest one you can afford and do not skimp on the cover.
If it is freezing outside it will freeze inside too.

Are they worth it? Oh yes.

[cleo]

I`m a big fan of these;

http://www.solartunnels.co.uk/splendid.php


A bit more than a conventional one but easy to put up and my cover is only now due to be replaced after about 11 years

[Sinbad7]

I couldn't imagine anyone regretting having a polytunnel, the only problem I can see on an allotment site is vandalism.

A fellow plotholder had one and the things he grew were brilliant, but after a couple of incidents of vandalism he took it down, well what was left of it.

[star]

Welcome to A4A Rjaydee

Congratulations for the spring plot

I dont have a polytunnel, but do wish I did. Im a back garden grower and sadly have no room for one. Though I did get a 6x2 greenhouse from a lovely A4A member this year. Its fab

As has been mentioned beware of vandalism