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Polytunnels

• Message 1. 

  Posted by whatalottie (U9072847) on Wednesday, 5th January 2011

  I've just got a large new polytunnel and I'm worried about the humidity.
  
  When we put it up late in the season last year the conditions were very humid, to the point that we were getting drips from the ceiling bars, and I wonder if tomatoes would be happy; blight is the first thing that springs to mind. I don't know what it's like earlier in the season.
  
  The tunnel does have vents, but I have the feeling they're not enough to make much difference, even if we left the door open. We did put it in a quite sheltered place, so it wouldn't blow away in the wind.
  
  Does anyone have advice please?
  
  Lottie

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Kleftiwallah (U13700999) on Wednesday, 5th January 2011

  Could you construct a second door at the other end to promote a through draft? Cheers, Tony.

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• Message 3

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Fred Ringer (U14742800) on Thursday, 6th January 2011

  Hi Lottie
  
  We have used a poly tunnel for the last 4 summers. You are right that condensation can be a problem. Ventilation is important and I adapted our 15x10 feet model to have doors at both ends. I have found that as the nights cool in August (gardening at 400 ft in North Yorkshire) it is better to keep the doors open for ventilation than worry about trying to keep heat in at night (which a polytunnel cannot do anyway).
  
  I mainly use it for growing squashes and tomatoes (companion planted with plenty of marigolds). If it is kept sealed up in late summer, the squashes have a tendency to mildew, otherwise the tunnel has been remarkably pest and disease free. Garlic has remained rust-free even when its outdoor cousins looked very miserable. I clean it out each Autumn and wash down with Jey's fluid. I was away last summer and whitefly moved in on the weed growth but they have since fled. There is even the occasional toad for company.
  
  Its one of the best birthday presents I have ever had. Enjoy yours and see the book "Gardening Under Plastic" for good advice.
  
  Best wishes
  
  FR

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• Message 4

  , in reply to message 3.

  Posted by whatalottie (U9072847) on Tuesday, 11th January 2011

  Hi Fred,
  I'm intereted that you 'adapted' your polytunnel to have a door at both ends. Was it oneof the ones made of the reinforced plastic sheet? How did you do it?
  
  IMy first 'skin' wqas too short, and in one of the blows it tore and blew off across the site! As it was a 6m by 3m tunnel, about the same as yours, it was quite impressive, three of typing to herd a giant kite... I was quite cross so they sent me two other skins (also too short), to tide me over until they could get me one the a proper length. Anyway as a result I have some spare 'skins' available,
  
  Anyway, I have three skins available to make a door in the back end, but I'd appreciate knowing how you did it,
  
  I've just bought 'How to grow your own food in your polytunnel', 'The Polytunnel Handbook', and 'Gardening under Plastic'. The trouble with Amazon is that you see all the other books that are interesting. Still as we've paid quite a lot for this tunnel (birthday, Christmas etc.) we may as well make the best of it.
  
  Thanks, Lottie
  
  

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