Polytunnels are structures designed to help your plants thrive throughout the year.
In this blog, we’ll look at how they work, their advantages, and why they’re a great choice for gardeners of all levels.
Benefits of a polytunnel
Protection from wind and rain
One of the most beneficial uses of polytunnels is their ability to protect plants from extreme elements. Tucked away safely in the confines of the polytunnel, your plants are likely to grow stronger and healthier, protected from the wind, rain and the ever more frequent storm conditions we experience in the UK.
The soil within the tunnel won’t be affected by waterlogging caused by heavy rain, or drying winds that undermine its structure and reduce its nutrient content.
Gardening in a polytunnel means you can work without being rained on or deterred by the wind.
Pest and disease control
Polytunnels are effective at protecting crops by keeping pests like rabbits and birds out. You can also benefit from growing plants outside of the season that help control diseases in vulnerable crops. For example, basil repels insects like whitefly, which impact tomato growth, so you can grow it earlier in the year next to tomatoes to prevent disease.
Longer growing season
Due to the protective nature of polytunnels, you can extend the growing season into winter by sowing your seeds later. The controlled temperatures mean your soil stays warmer for longer. Protection from the outdoors means your plants have a longer growing period, equalling greater yield.
Polytunnels also allow you to plant outdoors rather than on your windowsill, giving plants greater access to potentially 360° sunlight for longer, which is especially important for propagation during shorter days.
Storage
A convenient side-benefit is that you can store your less valuable, day-to-day tools and equipment in a polytunnel. Inside a polytunnel, they will be safer from the elements.
Costs
Polytunnels cost less than traditional greenhouses. They are often quicker and easier to install too, meaning you save time and the cost of installation. You can install a polytunnel in your garden, allotment, or on a greater scale for commercial purposes. They are available in a range of sizes and the cost of replacing or repairing damaged parts of polytunnels is also cheaper than greenhouse alternatives.
Potential cons of using a polytunnel
A polytunnel may not be for everyone, so consider these factors to help you decide whether it's the solution you need.
Polythene covers
Polytunnels are covered using polythene (plastic) covers, which degrade in the sunlight over time, meaning that the covers need replacing periodically to maintain the polytunnels' efficiency.
Rainwater
Rainwater's acidity, and its nitrogen and oxygen levels, make it beneficial for plants by helping with root health and nutrient absorption in the soil. However, polytunnels don't allow for rainwater to gather easily unless a suitable gutter system is installed. Using rainwater, rather than tap water, from a water butt is a way around this when watering plants in a polytunnel.
Why a polytunnel makes all the difference in winter
Extending summer
If you would like to grow warm-weather crops like tomatoes and corn for longer, a polytunnel is a great solution. They extend the growing season when summer isn't hot enough by providing warmer and safer conditions.
Winter growing
You can also sow some vegetables later in the year and harvest them earlier the following year with a polytunnel.
Propagation
Rather than starting off seeds on your windowsill, an unshaded polytunnel allows your seeds to be exposed to sunlight for much longer, meaning seedlings can grow all year round. You can set up a propagation bench and an area for seedlings to grow in your polytunnel.
Polytunnels vs greenhouses
If you are trying to choose between a polytunnel and a greenhouse, consider the following factors.
Pros of greenhouses:
· Durability: Greenhouses are considered more durable than polytunnels, often lasting a lifetime due to the materials they are made from.
· Aesthetics: Greenhouses can be bought in a variety of attractive designs and shapes, whereas polytunnels generally have a similar, highly practical design.
Pros of polytunnels:
· Cost-effectiveness: Polytunnels are a fraction of the price of greenhouses, so they are more affordable, particularly for domestic users.
· Mobility: Polytunnels are easy to use, and, unlike greenhouses, can be moved around your outdoor space if growing conditions become more favourable elsewhere.
· Expansion: If you would like to expand your polytunnel gardening space, you can simply add more hoops and extend the plastic covering. With greenhouses, you would likely have to just buy another, larger greenhouse, which can be costly.
Polytunnel growing for beginners
If you're just starting to use a polytunnel, the following are easy crops you can try to grow:
For summer crops, try:
· Tomatoes
· Cucumber
· Peppers
· Chillies
· Sweetcorn
For autumn/winter crops, try:
· Spinach
· Lettuce
· Onions
· Garlic
Why choose Premier Polytunnels?
At Premier Polytunnels, we have over 35 years of experience helping crops flourish throughout the year. Our durable, high-quality structures are made to last with galvanised steel frames and pressure-treated timber doors and base rails, all expertly crafted in-house.
We also offer a variety of sizes, from 6ft wide to 30ft wide, so you'll find a polytunnel to suit your needs, whether you want to install one in your garden or allotment.
Benefit from free delivery to most areas of the UK and browse our other products online, including fruit cages and sheep housing. If you have any questions or would like to speak to a member of our friendly team, give us a call on 01282 811250 or drop us an email at info@premierpolytunnels.co.uk.