This is my first year as the proud owner of a polytunnel. As it's unheated, is it now safe to plant my tomatoes, etc. inside? It's like a sauna in the day but the temperature does drop inside at night so I was a bit concerned I might lose plants to a cold snap. Advice gratefully accepted!
You never no when a frost is due. It might be wise to put them out and have an heater as backup, i know last year i run out of parafin so lit a few candles for 1 night.
All my tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers plants are in my unheated greenhouse and have been for a few weeks, admittedly with parafin heater backup on a few nights. I have not used the heater for about 10 days now and probably won't anymore till next winter.
all our toms and peppers are in the poly, we have no heating, if we get a bit of frost, I'll shut the front, plastic door instead of leaving the mesh one on ;D
All of mine have been in an unheated GH since they were an inch high. I don't even use any back up heating . Just throw some fleece over if its very cold
Same here Shirlton... :)
Thanks everyone. Seems like the general consensus is that things should be ok, but be prepared to get ready with some extra protection if things get unseasonably cold. I suppose for a novice with polytunnels it's a case of me getting used to the new growing environment available to me now.
It varys from year to year. This time 2 years ago we had a frost and it zapped all my cucs so i think its made me a bit cautious.
I'd get hold of some fleece and/or bubblewrap just in case.
I think bubblewrap has greater insulation value and also lasts longer (my fleece seems to fall apart within a season).
Quotemy fleece seems to fall apart within a season).
Are you aware that there are basically two types of fleece? i.e. spun & woven.
I find that with spun (the cheaper version) you get what you pay for wheras the dearer woven variety can be used on numerous occasions, and can even be washed in a washing machine.