Polytunnels are an incredibly useful addition to any garden. They make sure that your crops, no matter what it is that you have decided to grow, are protected against pests and the weather too. They are the ideal alternative to buying a greenhouse and because they come in so many shapes and sizes, you can make sure that you find one that is going to fit in perfectly with your garden.
Another great thing about polytunnels is that they don’t always have to be expensive. Of course, there are those that are going to cost more, yet this isn’t always the case and you can find one that works perfectly for your garden.
To help you out, we have put together our guide to the top 3 tips on how to get the most from your polytunnel this Summer.
Always have a plan
Before you even start popping plants in your polytunnel, you need to make sure that you have a plan for how you are going to use the space. You need to know exactly where you are going to put particular plants, as well as when you need to sow them. It also makes sense to place plants that are going to be planted and then harvested at the same time together, as this makes taking care of them easier. However, you don’t always have to take a “uniform” approach to your gardening. Instead, you can put together different plants that grow well together such as onions and carrots, or basil and tomato. In no time at all, you will have a plan for how you want to use the space.
Think about your layout
Think about your layout
When it comes to planning out how a polytunnel is going to look and the layout that you are going to use, the most common approach is to have one path down the middle of the tunnel, with beds found on each side of the path. Of course, if your polytunnel is on the wider side then you might be able to have two paths and more beds.
Another great idea when it comes to layout is to have one path to the side, then smaller paths branching off of it. Not only is this great for making the most of the space that you have, but it also gives you the opportunity to try out diverse growing too.
Don’t forget to use your vertical space too
Another great idea when it comes to layout is to have one path to the side, then smaller paths branching off of it. Not only is this great for making the most of the space that you have, but it also gives you the opportunity to try out diverse growing too.
Don’t forget to use your vertical space too
We all too easily only plan for the floor space that we have, failing to consider the rest of the polytunnel. This is a big mistake to make, as vertical space can be incredibly valuable when it comes to growing plants and crops.
The shape of your polytunnel is what makes a difference here. Whilst it may not be particularly tall at the sides, where your beds are, it will rise higher in the middle. Which will mean that you have plenty of space to grow upwards. There are a number of ways that you can use your vertical space, you could opt for plants that grow upwards (known as vining plants) as well as buying vertical garden structures which are designed for growing vertically.
A good plant to try and grow in one of these vertical gardens are salad leaves or herbs.
As you can see, a polytunnel is an incredibly useful tool for your garden. Not only does it give you a space to garden year round, but it also provides a variety of plants with the ideal base to grow.
Best of all, if you find them from a good quality supplier, then you can be sure that your polytunnel is going to stand tall, no matter what the weather throws at it. Keeping those all important plants inside perfectly safe and growing well.
*Guest post
Oh my, I have just got into gardening so the idea of having a pollytunnel sounds super cool. Your tips are really helpful too, am totally going to see if my garden will be able to accommodate this.
ReplyDeleteYeah Lifestyle
Glad this post is useful to you!
DeleteI've never really thought about a pollytunnel as we just don't have thr space but it sounds like a great addition to your garden if you're into growing things! xo
ReplyDeleteYes, it can help grow and shelter plants.
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