Topic: DIY polytunnels

[legless]

has anyone made their own? ???



my dodgy glasshouse has to come down as its way too dangerous to use and i can't afford a new one or a ready made polytunnel but i have found this site with plans for making your own...

http://www.powen.freeserve.co.uk/Projects/polytunnel/polytunnel.htm

having done a quick reccy round wickes this afternoon we reckon we could do one for under £100. It looks simple enough but if there is an obvious catch could someone let me know! also of someone has a different way of building one can you share it?

thanks in advance

Jo  ;D

[tim]

no, but just to help ideas - what size? - Tim

[legless]

10' x 10' or 10' x 12' something around that size.

[tim]

I'm sure Cleo will come up with something .

Unfortunately, we use cloches a lot - and a g'house assembled by me and 2 sons - bless them! Took 2 days. But it was quite big. - Tim

[Doris_Pinks]

I use cloches a la Geoff Hamilton, Blue plumbers pipe, dowel in the bottom of a piece, with a nail knocked in, put into the ground as an arc,  several in a row and plastic pulled over them, seems to work a treat, also good when covered with netting!  DP

[legless]

i think that tunnel is basically the same principle as your cloches doris...

i think it's worth a try - if it goes wrong i can re-use the materials to make cloches like yours!

[Colin_Bellamy-Wood]

Hi Legless, just to add to Doris's advice, when you go for the plastic covering, make sure you get a reasonably heavy guage.   If it is too flimsy, the wind (when it comes) will rip it to shreds.   My N-D-N but one, put plastic over his large greenhouse roof as a temporary measure till he can get round to putting glass into it.   It wasn't a thick enough guage, and its ripped to shreds.   Also the plastic needs to be just a few inches wider than the length of your plumber's piping (which is blue btw) to allow it to be weighted down.

[cleo]

It seems reasonably easy-just make sure the base is well anchored. Getting the tension on the plastic may be a bit tricky so get some friends round and pick a very still day-the slightest breeze seems like a force ten when covering a poly tunnel.

The cloche trick works very well although I now use copper tubing as pegs.

And get the best grade plastic you can-to try and save on that will be a frustrating waste of time and money,as already mentioned.

Stephan.

[legless]

thanks for all the advice. citadel polytunnels do thermal plastic stuff (all the technical terms me!) which is uv stabilised and strong for £5.50 a metre with 24' width so that should do it.

My dad is in the country at the end of the month so i'll get his final advice on the site (he used to be a market gardener and has had a few polytunnels in his time) and aim to be fully operational by spring!!

[cleo]

It would be interesting to know what this `thermal plastic` is. My polytunnel is actually called a thermal house-the plastic is a re-enforced with plastic mesh for want of a better description and it is superb.

Stephan.

[Palustris]

Belive it or not I have an unused polytunnel frame of about the size required, sitting on our shed roof, doing nothing and not wanted.

[legless]

where are you Palustris?

sorry i haven't replied for ages.

[Palustris]

Shropshire. More precisely send a message. :)

[legless]

Shropshire is a long way from Newcastle Eric! Thanks for thinking of me but him indoors says its too far!

[jethro]

Hi legless, i'll check our site i think there is some water pipes? and get back to you asap.