Built my polytunnel to corer the tomatoes. Had trouble keeping the plasic cover on. Discovered that Tesco sell storm force pegs. PRoblem hopefully sorted.
But my I am on a sloping site and the water is running downhill into the soil. Do you think this will upset the tomatoes, have managed to channel it beween them - they were on ridges, or do you think I need to stop the water somehow. Have build a drainage channel at the top.
Also have loads of creepy crawlies all over the plastic. Have the east side half open but west side is down to ground to stop wind.
Enjoy the fact you need to water less.
Quote from: Digeroo on June 10, 2009, 19:55:32
But my I am on a sloping site and the water is running downhill into the soil. Do you think this will upset the tomatoes, have managed to channel it beween them - they were on ridges, or do you think I need to stop the water somehow. Have build a drainage channel at the top.
Have you got surface water running across the plot? If so, why? Is it waterlogged? Long-term waterlogging would be a major problem, a bit of surface water on a very wet day wouldn't be.
Thanks for you response. No the site is not waterlogged. Basically very good drainage, it is just a little surface water spreading downhill under the plastic. the area round the actual stems is keeping fairly dry. Have put a circle of soil round each plant to ensure this water keeps away. Soil very gravelly drains well.
I am just concerned it will raise the humidity. We keep getting monsoon style cloud bursts. Can remember them from the summer of 1971.
So far Toms looking good. Better than outside ones elsewhere on the site. Mind you three years ago I had tomatoes dripping off plants all over the garden, and for years and years before that.
I think I might grow a tomato plant under an old umbrella just for fun.
I wouldn't panic about the cloudbursts as long as they don't go on too long. The real danger is that a long wet spell could trigger another early outbreak of blight. I find summer floods don't do any damage as long as the water can run straight off again. It's longterm waterlogging that harms the roots.
Digeridoo, do you have a link to where to get these storm force pegs? I have searched the Tesco site and cant find any type of pegs! Am using some clamps from our local pound shop on mine, but they have very sharp edges.
Just bought them off the shelf in local Tesco. (Swindon). Its a very large store so perhaps have things that other stores do not have.
Tesco Wooden Strong Pegs 24pk sorry storm ones are from sainsbury's but are not so good.