Polytunnel Growing is a great alternative to greenhouse growing where funds are limited. If you have the room and money for both a greenhouse and a polytunnel then you can really motor in the garden. Extend the growing season, produce salad crops throughout the year and enjoy really early and late fresh fruit and vegetables.
We’ve a series of articles by polytunnel growing expert, Klaus Laitenberger, who grows in the challenging conditions of Ireland and by Richard Handscombe who grows his own in Spain where he aims for self-sufficiency. Both are organic growers and cover organic methods in the articles.
The monthly polytunnel growing series takes you right the way through the gardening year.
Polytunnel Growing
How to maintain and repair your polytunnel
Properly installed, a quality polytunnel is very robust and resilient. Storms that can demolish a greenhouse hardly disturb the polytunnel. However, that doesn’t mean a polytunnel is immune to damage. To maximise its life and utility, your polytunnel w...
Polytunnels & Organic Growing in a Polytunnel
I have always been passionate about growing food organically – all kinds of it and I never liked buying food that can be grown in my own garden. Unfortunately in our climate in Ireland and many parts of the UK, there is a whole range of common vegetables t...
Polytunnels for Productivity
Polytunnels first appeared in the 1960's once the plastics industry managed to produce reliable wide width polythene sheeting. They continue to become more popular each gardening year. That is the large walk in frame tunnels covered in plastic sheeting...
Growing in a Polytunnel in January
What to sow, plant and harvest from your polytunnel in January
January can be the beginning of your creative gardening year in your greenhouse or polytunnel. It’s the first awakening of the year. You can start off new seedlings on your propagator a...
Growing in a Polytunnel in February
What to sow, plant and harvest from your polytunnel in February
In your greenhouse or tunnel you may now be fooled that spring has arrived. Your tunnel or greenhouse can easily warm up to 20˚C during sunny spells. You also notice that the days are ...
Growing in a Polytunnel in March
What to sow, plant and harvest from your polytunnel in March
You will really feel the warmth in your greenhouse or polytunnel now and so do your plants. They start to grow quite rapidly now but be aware that the nights are still quite cold and there...
Growing in a Polytunnel in April
What to sow, plant and harvest from your polytunnel in April
April is one of the busiest months and one filled with immense responsibility. All your crops are now sown and you care for them as if they are your little babies. You certainly can’t book a...
Growing in a Polytunnel in May
What to sow, plant and harvest from your polytunnel in May
May is the most exciting month in your tunnel or greenhouse. This is the time to plant out your summer crops – your tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, cucumbers and basil.
Take good care of t...
Growing in a Polytunnel in June
What to sow, plant and harvest from your polytunnel in June
June is one of my favourite months in the tunnel or greenhouse. The majority of crops are planted by now and the responsibility of watering your seedlings every day is nearly over. You can...
Growing in a Polytunnel in July
Your tunnel or greenhouse is absolutely packed and you’ll be can harvesting fruits from your summer crops – the first tomato of the year is always the most anticipated and delicious. Soon you’ll have more food than you can cope with. All the other summe...
Growing in a Polytunnel in August
What to sow, plant and harvest from your polytunnel in August
In August there is even more bounty than in July, whether you're growing in a polytunnel or a greenhouse. You may have produced enough courgettes and cucumbers for the whole neighbourhood....
Growing in a Polytunnel in September
What to sow, plant and harvest from your polytunnel in September
Your tunnel or greenhouse is likely to get a little bit out of hand during this month, with most crops not being at their prime any longer. Pests and diseases are also spreading much faster...
Growing in a Polytunnel in October
What to sow, plant and harvest from your polytunnel in October
October is the month for clearing and tidying. Your cucumbers and courgettes are likely to be finished and many other plants are getting exhausted and diseased, but hopefully you have a...
Growing in a Polytunnel in November
What to sow, plant and harvest from your polytunnel in November
We usually don’t think about our tunnel or greenhouse in November. There is very little need for it especially if you have planted the winter salads and overwintering garlic cloves and o...
Growing in a Polytunnel in December
What to sow, plant and harvest from your polytunnel in December
It’s a good time to take a break from your tunnel or greenhouse. All you need to do is harvest your salads and ventilate as much as possible. If you have spare time you can prepare the b...
