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Greenhouses v. Polytunnels
I have just come in from my greenhouse muttering about the fact that
greenhouses like workshops, are never big enough :-) As we are planning to move to Scotland my husband suggests that I go for a polytunnel. I am beginning to warm to the idea but would appreciate some opinions from the group :-) kate |
Greenhouses v. Polytunnels
On Oct 30, 1:41 pm, "Kate Morgan" wrote:
I have just come in from my greenhouse muttering about the fact that greenhouses like workshops, are never big enough :-) As we are planning to move to Scotland my husband suggests that I go for a polytunnel. I am beginning to warm to the idea but would appreciate some opinions from the group :-) kate We have a suburban backgarden and so space is limited and we have a 12x8 foot greenhouse which I think is better for confined spaces but is more expensive. If I had a big country patch, I would prefer a polytunnel and would prefer to have a whopping big one as I think it would be much cheaper that way (big poly tunnel much cheaper than huge greenhouse). |
Greenhouses v. Polytunnels
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Greenhouses v. Polytunnels
On 30/10/07 13:41, in article , "Kate
Morgan" wrote: I have just come in from my greenhouse muttering about the fact that greenhouses like workshops, are never big enough :-) As we are planning to move to Scotland my husband suggests that I go for a polytunnel. I am beginning to warm to the idea but would appreciate some opinions from the group :-) kate Polytunnels don't look very good and they can get very hot because although they're open at each end, there are no vents for air circulation. Could that cause problems when you have a mix of plants requiring that and your only option is a polytunnel? -- Sacha http://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon (remove weeds from address) 'We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.' |
Greenhouses v. Polytunnels
On 30 Oct, 13:41, "Kate Morgan" wrote:
I have just come in from my greenhouse muttering about the fact that greenhouses like workshops, are never big enough :-) As we are planning to move to Scotland my husband suggests that I go for a polytunnel. I am beginning to warm to the idea but would appreciate some opinions from the group :-) kate Given the choice I'd go for a greenhouse every time - more versatile, easier to control temperature and humidity and better in the wind. However depending where you're going in Scotland, either option will need to be strong unless it's a sheltered site. Now if you can manage both and it's veg you're growing then a smallish glasshouse and a big polytunnel would suit nicely. For some years I managed some polytunnels commercially for propagation and early stage growing of hardy shrubs and trees in containers. This was reasonably successful but we did have problems controlling the temperatures and humidity except in the mist units. A lot of early veg and salads would be OK in tunnels but you need to watch diseases and pests and it may get too hot to be useful in mid-summer. If you go for glass, get all the optional additional vents the maker will allow - compare the area of ventilation on home glasshouses with that seen on big commercial houses and you'll see why their plants are more comfortable than ours. You feel the difference when you enter a commercial house. |
Greenhouses v. Polytunnels
HI Charlie
On Tue, 30 Oct 2007 18:34:48 -0000, Charlie Pridham wrote: In article , says... The message from "Kate Morgan" contains these words: I have just come in from my greenhouse muttering about the fact that greenhouses like workshops, are never big enough :-) As we are planning to move to Scotland my husband suggests that I go for a polytunnel. I am beginning to warm to the idea but would appreciate some opinions from the group :-) Whichever you choose it/they will need to be well anchored in Scotland. I am sure there are people on this group who can give you more expert advice than me. I only know what I found out when I asked on behalf of my stepdaughter who lives on the Isle of Lewis - where it is windy! Come in Compo ...... BTW she was thinking of a polytunnel. E-mail me if you want to. Jennifer If you bury the cover around the edge rather than using the grip rails then they will withstand 120 mile winds no problem, the down side is having to recover them every 5-7 years and the covers need cleaning about twice a year. Alternatively..... g When we put up our tunnel last year they advised us to runs a concrete 'footing' all the way round the legs of the tunnel. This ended up being about 12" wide and tapering from 8" inside to 6" outside. Then we used the grip rail - and (so far!) it's withstood all the the sou-westers can throw at it. We're in a moderately exposed part of south-west Ireland.... and the supplier we used had installed tunnels in this way on the 'off-islands'..... It's a fair bit more work - but replacing the cover's going to be much easier ! Another tip they gave us was to tension the cover as tight as possible when first erected (Springtime) and give the grip rail a good thump with a 4lb hammer on warm days throughout the summer. Cover is now as tight as a drum - apparently it's the flapping about that can really shorten a cover's life... Adrian West Cork, Ireland |
Greenhouses v. Polytunnels
On Oct 30, 3:41 pm, Des Higgins wrote:
On Oct 30, 1:41 pm, "Kate Morgan" wrote: I have just come in from my greenhouse muttering about the fact that greenhouses like workshops, are never big enough :-) As we are planning to move to Scotland my husband suggests that I go for a polytunnel. I am beginning to warm to the idea but would appreciate some opinions from the group :-) kate We have a suburban backgarden and so space is limited and we have a 12x8 foot greenhouse which I think is better for confined spaces but is more expensive. If I had a big country patch, I would prefer a polytunnel and would prefer to have a whopping big one as I think it would be much cheaper that way (big poly tunnel much cheaper than huge greenhouse). ok, looks like I am outvoted; alright then, if I had a choice, I would choose a nice wooden greenhouse with a brick base, as long as it came with a small bloke to paint it every 2 years. |
Greenhouses v. Polytunnels
On 30 Oct, 13:41, "Kate Morgan" wrote:
I have just come in from my greenhouse muttering about the fact that greenhouses like workshops, are never big enough :-) As we are planning to move to Scotland my husband suggests that I go for a polytunnel. I am beginning to warm to the idea but would appreciate some opinions from the group :-) kate Polytunnels are cheaper but they have a much more finite life. The suns rays break down the cover, these will need replacing every 5 years or so. The standard polytunnels come right to the floor making air flow and tempreture control difficult, If you decide to get one of these then removeable ends (or at least big doors) and fans to circulate the air are essential in hot periods. There are some available with vents right along the sides that can be opened and closed.You need to choose the design that fits your needs. try www.northernpolytunnels.co.uk to give you an idea of whats available. Glass always looks better and feels nice when you are inside. I always feel like i'm inside a giant Sainsburys bag when in a poly tunnel. But the plants don't seem to mind. If sustainability is an issue then it has to be glass. As far as i'm aware poly tunnels can't be recycled. I hope this is some help. |
Greenhouses v. Polytunnels
In message om, Des
Higgins writes On Oct 30, 3:41 pm, Des Higgins wrote: On Oct 30, 1:41 pm, "Kate Morgan" wrote: I have just come in from my greenhouse muttering about the fact that greenhouses like workshops, are never big enough :-) As we are planning to move to Scotland my husband suggests that I go for a polytunnel. I am beginning to warm to the idea but would appreciate some opinions from the group :-) kate We have a suburban backgarden and so space is limited and we have a 12x8 foot greenhouse which I think is better for confined spaces but is more expensive. If I had a big country patch, I would prefer a polytunnel and would prefer to have a whopping big one as I think it would be much cheaper that way (big poly tunnel much cheaper than huge greenhouse). ok, looks like I am outvoted; alright then, if I had a choice, I would choose a nice wooden greenhouse with a brick base, as long as it came with a small bloke to paint it every 2 years. If I was offered a choice between a polytunnel and a greenhouse of the same footprint, at the same price, I'd go for the greenhouse, but I don't expect to be offered that choice. -- Stewart Robert Hinsley |
Greenhouses v. Polytunnels
"Des Higgins" wrote in message ps.com... On Oct 30, 3:41 pm, Des Higgins wrote: On Oct 30, 1:41 pm, "Kate Morgan" wrote: I have just come in from my greenhouse muttering about the fact that greenhouses like workshops, are never big enough :-) As we are planning to move to Scotland my husband suggests that I go for a polytunnel. I am beginning to warm to the idea but would appreciate some opinions from the group :-) kate We have a suburban backgarden and so space is limited and we have a 12x8 foot greenhouse which I think is better for confined spaces but is more expensive. If I had a big country patch, I would prefer a polytunnel and would prefer to have a whopping big one as I think it would be much cheaper that way (big poly tunnel much cheaper than huge greenhouse). ok, looks like I am outvoted; alright then, if I had a choice, I would choose a nice wooden greenhouse with a brick base, as long as it came with a small bloke to paint it every 2 years. Howya Father :-) My missus went and invested in a very nice bespoke pitched roof greenhouse ( with brick base) from Hartleys about 2 years ago. It is made from thick sections of aluminium and is a cream colour. No painting required and should long outlive her ( and me as well). It looks like its made from timber. Glad to see yer settling down at last! K |
Greenhouses v. Polytunnels
On Tue, 30 Oct 2007 17:41:01 +0000, Sacha
wrote: On 30/10/07 13:41, in article , "Kate Morgan" wrote: I have just come in from my greenhouse muttering about the fact that greenhouses like workshops, are never big enough :-) As we are planning to move to Scotland my husband suggests that I go for a polytunnel. I am beginning to warm to the idea but would appreciate some opinions from the group :-) kate Polytunnels don't look very good and they can get very hot because although they're open at each end, there are no vents for air circulation. Could that cause problems when you have a mix of plants requiring that and your only option is a polytunnel? Didn't Bob flowerdew have a polytunnel within a polytunnel for the really tropical stuff? -- http://www.orderonlinepickupinstore.co.uk Ah fetch it yourself if you can't wait for delivery http://www.freedeliveryuk.co.uk Or get it delivered for free |
Greenhouses v. Polytunnels
On Oct 31, 10:29 am, "Sage" wrote:
"Des Higgins" wrote in message ps.com... On Oct 30, 3:41 pm, Des Higgins wrote: On Oct 30, 1:41 pm, "Kate Morgan" wrote: I have just come in from my greenhouse muttering about the fact that greenhouses like workshops, are never big enough :-) As we are planning to move to Scotland my husband suggests that I go for a polytunnel. I am beginning to warm to the idea but would appreciate some opinions from the group :-) kate We have a suburban backgarden and so space is limited and we have a 12x8 foot greenhouse which I think is better for confined spaces but is more expensive. If I had a big country patch, I would prefer a polytunnel and would prefer to have a whopping big one as I think it would be much cheaper that way (big poly tunnel much cheaper than huge greenhouse). ok, looks like I am outvoted; alright then, if I had a choice, I would choose a nice wooden greenhouse with a brick base, as long as it came with a small bloke to paint it every 2 years. Howya Father :-) My missus went and invested in a very nice bespoke pitched roof greenhouse ( with brick base) from Hartleys about 2 years ago. It is made from thick sections of aluminium and is a cream colour. No painting required and should long outlive her ( and me as well). It looks like its made from timber. Glad to see yer settling down at last! K Blessings Kevin my son; I am a changed man. I have finally made peace with all trolls and now wish nothing but calm intercourse on matters of a horticultural nature. I have invested in a heavy duty waterproof cassock for all work in my mixed borders. Des |
Greenhouses v. Polytunnels
"Des Higgins" wrote in message ps.com... On Oct 31, 10:29 am, "Sage" wrote: "Des Higgins" wrote in message ps.com... On Oct 30, 3:41 pm, Des Higgins wrote: On Oct 30, 1:41 pm, "Kate Morgan" wrote: I have just come in from my greenhouse muttering about the fact that greenhouses like workshops, are never big enough :-) As we are planning to move to Scotland my husband suggests that I go for a polytunnel. I am beginning to warm to the idea but would appreciate some opinions from the group :-) kate We have a suburban backgarden and so space is limited and we have a 12x8 foot greenhouse which I think is better for confined spaces but is more expensive. If I had a big country patch, I would prefer a polytunnel and would prefer to have a whopping big one as I think it would be much cheaper that way (big poly tunnel much cheaper than huge greenhouse). ok, looks like I am outvoted; alright then, if I had a choice, I would choose a nice wooden greenhouse with a brick base, as long as it came with a small bloke to paint it every 2 years. Howya Father :-) My missus went and invested in a very nice bespoke pitched roof greenhouse ( with brick base) from Hartleys about 2 years ago. It is made from thick sections of aluminium and is a cream colour. No painting required and should long outlive her ( and me as well). It looks like its made from timber. Glad to see yer settling down at last! K Blessings Kevin my son; I am a changed man. I have finally made peace with all trolls and now wish nothing but calm intercourse on matters of a horticultural nature. I have invested in a heavy duty waterproof cassock for all work in my mixed borders. Des Glad to hear it Father, the road to Damascus experience is a truly uplifting sight to behold especially when one has lead such a torrid life as yourself. There is nothing more we want at this stage of our lives other than calm intercourse on any matters, horticultural or otherwise. BTW, if you email me proctork at iol dot ie I can arrange for you to see a very nice greenhouse/glasshouse. Its also a sanctuary at times from the cares of this world. K |
Greenhouses v. Polytunnels
On 30 Oct, 18:34, Charlie Pridham wrote:
In article , If you bury the cover around the edge rather than using the grip rails then they will withstand 120 mile winds no problem, the down side is having to recover them every 5-7 years and the covers need cleaning about twice a year. -- Yes I think that's still better than any of the fancy tensioning measures - do it on a warm still day and have equal numbers of folk either side of the tunnel pulling the sheet down and backfilling the trench - a bit of a knack but easy when you get it. I think somebody else said loose covers are the biggest danger - that's true, I've seen structures wrecked by the torn sheet flapping in the wind. |
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