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What not to grow in polytunnel

• Message 1. 

  Posted by juststartingoff (U11189730) on Sunday, 2nd May 2010

  I was so delighted to get my polytunnel up last month that I thought I'd plant some strawberries in it to get an early crop. I thought that strawberries were self pollinating like tomatoes but have since found out they're not. What do I do now - do I need to lift and plant outside?
  
  I've planted melons, peppers, chillies and tomatoes which I know can grow inside but what else should I NOT plant in the polytunnel?
  
  Also, what's the best type of soil to use?
  
  Ant advice greatly appreciated!

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by 4smilingcat6 (U14338727) on Sunday, 2nd May 2010

  A fair few questions there!!
  
  as regards the strawberries-they are grown under plastic commercially and I sometimes grow a few in pots inside and have had no problems.
  
  My rule is don`t waste polytunnel/greenhouse space on crops that will be fine outside-use the space for tender crops. Then when the summer/autumn crops are out use it to grow salads,herbs and anything you like-pak choi for example.
  
  Soil?-garden soil enriched with compost. I change mine about every 3-4 years on a rolling basis-hard work and there is never enough home made compost.
  
  Some years I use flower buckets with the bottoms cut out and filled with JI No3 for tomatoes,cus,peppers etc-especially where the soil has not been changed for a while

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• Message 3

  , in reply to message 2.

  Posted by juststartingoff (U11189730) on Sunday, 2nd May 2010

  Thanks for your help - I'll leave the strawberries inside and see what happens. I've plenty more outside. OH bought in topsoil which was mixed with sand. He assured me this was the best type of soil for the polytunnel although I was sceptical. He's not a gardener but went on somebody elses advice. I suppose I can gradually add compost to the beds after harvesting crops.
  
  It's really out of the summer months that I hope the polytunnel comes into it's own, growing through the autumn and possibly milder winter months and then early spring.
  Thanks Smiling Cat.

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• Message 4

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  Posted by PenylanSue (U13901201) on Sunday, 2nd May 2010

  Regarding pollinating the strawberries, it depends whether bees and other insects have access to your tunnel. I bring in pots of strawberries that have spent winter outside (which initiates the flowering), tickle the flowers with a rabbit's tale, just in case, and get earlier fruit that way. The same plants outside are always a few weeks later.
  I think you should have a go at growing all sorts of things as well as the same things outside and then you will find what you get earlier that way.
  My neighbour has a tunnel and I'm as jealous as anything.
  Much must depend on your location.
  Sue

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• Message 5

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  Posted by Kleftiwallah (U13700999) on Sunday, 2nd May 2010

  Don't grow Tomatillos, they get huge! Cheers, Tony.

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• Message 6

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  Posted by youngandallotmenting (U14434252) on Sunday, 2nd May 2010

  I have some seedlings/young Tomatilo plants you said they get big...you have me worried now, how big are we talking?! Any tips/advice with regard to growing them? Thanks!

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• Message 7

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  Posted by 4smilingcat6 (U14338727) on Sunday, 2nd May 2010

  how big??=enormous.
  
  Forget taking out side shoots as in tomatoes -be totally ruthless

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• Message 8

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  Posted by youngandallotmenting (U14434252) on Sunday, 2nd May 2010

  Oh dear! Hope I have enough space! Side shoots... got it, thanks very much!

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• Message 9

  , in reply to message 8.

  Posted by juststartingoff (U11189730) on Sunday, 2nd May 2010

  Thanks PenylanSue, yes there are plenty of insects in the polytunnel, daddylonglegs have hatched out in it and have been breeding so plenty more of them I think! I've had bees, various types of flies and tonnes of spiders and even a queen wasp. I leave the doors slightly open during the day. I like what you said about the rabbit's tail, I tried rubbing the flowers with a cotton bud to pollinate so we'll see. Seeds are germinating in 3-4 days especially when the sun is shining but I've found some mares(horses?)tail growing which I've tried to dig out. I was very fortunate to be able to put the polytunnel up this year - it's like entering a different world peaceful and still, even during a recent thunderstorm we just sat in it! Thanks all.

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• Message 10

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  Posted by whatalottie (U9072847) on Tuesday, 7th September 2010

  Ping

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• Message 11

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  Posted by northwards (U14324094) on Wednesday, 8th September 2010

  Like you I got my first polytunnel this year and I got a bit carried away and planted everything I could think of. Whoever it was who advised you not to grow what you can grow outside is 100% right - it's a waste of space.
  
  However I did try growing just one or two cauliflowers, broccoli and Romanesco, and did get a nice early harvest before the outside ones were ready, so you can extend the season a bit that way
  
  About the only thing I can think of that didn't really work was early potatoes. We got a HUGE crop but they didn't taste of anything, and someone on this list suggested that it was because they may have grown too fast in the tunnel. Anyway I won't be trying it again
  
  But we have a lot of strawberries inside and got really big crops without making any special arrangements to let the insects in

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