The upcoming growing season means that people are increasingly looking at the online offers for greenhouses. Although there is still a lot of time before spring, it is worth considering which polytunnel to buy. If your decision is made concerning the kind of structure for your garden, you should now consider when to install it and how to do it.
Season in a polytunnel
At the end of March or beginning of April, when temperatures are more stable and frost is less frequent, you can start setting up your foil tunnel. If the weather is kind, you can proceed after the first thaw. Softer soil should first be dug, to enable easy creation of garden beds. To perfectly match the tunnel size , you can pinpoint the dimensions of the structure with pins stuck in the ground with a line linking them.
If the ground is still too hard, wait for it to thaw. Digging a frozen ground is tiring and unsafe, so postpone to a more convenient date without any regret.
- Preparation of paths
Already at this stage, it is worth determining the path layout inside the tunnel. A good solution is to harden it so that no puddle or empty pocket can appear throughout the growing process . There are many solutions to choose from. If there are gardening boxes inside, the space between the lower sides can be filled with concrete slabs, covered with gravel, stacked with trellis or paving stones. Of course, this is an optional solution, but much more convenient than moving around on a muddy ground.
Placing the structure
Having prepared a site for the foil tunnel, it’s time to move on to the construction of the structure. Start from the base. Connect the brackets and reinforcements to the structure, then add the arches. Systematically check assembly instructions so as not to omit any of the elements. Now that the frame is ready, secure every connection to create a compact structure. Spread the foil over the frame and connectors, pulling it tight. The non-corrugated cover is much more durable, better withstanding the wind pressure . Finally, dig up the extra foil into the ground, folding it carefully. This further stabilizes the structure, permanently anchoring it to the ground.
Inside the polytunnel
Now you can check if the garden tunnel is tight. Carefully examine each side and the construction of the structure. If you notice loose foil, fasten it by adding clips. If the cover was soiled, remove dirt. Mud on the foil will limit the penetration of sunlight, as well as looking untidy. A spraying of water and a damp cloth are enough to rejuvenate the cover.
If you have not secured the elements yet, that’s the time. Check if the doors close without any obstacle. It is important that the door frame does not scratch the cover. In a multi vegetation tunnel with side ventilation, roll up the openings to see if the process is even and smooth.
When the structure is fully prepared, the gardener can plan for plant transfer into the structure.
- Plant stands
The way plants are kept under cover depends on the gardener’s preferences. Some separate the beds with boards, others build gardening boxes, while many prefer flower beds. There are many methods of cultivation in a gardening tunnel, so it is worth choosing the most convenient one for you.