Why Buy A Polytunnel?
If you've ever driven past an allotment you'll often see a selection of polytunnels, some big, some small, some looking worse for wear and others standing strong year after year. The question is, do you need one too? and if so which one offers the best quality and value for money?
One of the biggest benefits of a polytunnel is mitigating the temperamental British weather and ensuring a consistent start to each season as well as ongoing temperature and weather protection. Your polytunnel should allow you to not only start growing earlier but also grow a wider variety of vegetables including varieties which usually require a hotter, more stable environment.
Another key benefit is that the tunnel offers ongoing protection for plants against storms and high winds, this may not be an issue on your plot but more exposed plots can often see high winds throughout the season - not ideal for younger plants.
How Do You Build A Polytunnel?
Thankfully, building a polytunnel does not need to be as hard as it looks. We've designed, and redesigned our tunnels over the years to ensure the best quality framework for the home grower market.
As with most build projects, the hardest bit is usually the preparation, ensuring your ground is well prepared, level and with the footprint marked out is key. We also advise having your trench dug around the footprint before the build, this allows you to fill the ground back in once the cover is on.
Our 3m tunnel is designed with a pop-and-click framework that should see the bulk of the work completed fairly quickly.
Our 6m tunnel has a robust bolt system due to the larger size - this task is better carried out by 2 people but once it's up it's up!
The covers represent the easy bit - once in place on the frame they simply need to be secured and then excess material buried around the edge.
Key Features To Look For In A Polytunnel
A strong frame - we would advise staying away from any type of plastic or lightweight metal frame, they can easily start to give way in strong winds and have a much shorter life expectancy. Our Polytunnel range is made from strong 25mm steel and depending on size will either click together or our larger 6m polytunnel will be bolted together.
Durable UV-protected cover - Our heavy-duty covers are UV protected, the seem work has had extra care taken with them to ensure their durability. We also ensure that our covers include enough skirts for you to comfortably dig in the excess around the tunnel - We advise staying away from any tunnel that does not provide this as it is a key factor in securing the cover against storms and high winds.
Say no to zips! - After experiencing our own frustrations year after year with weak and damaged zips we designed a tunnel that didn't need any! both our 3m and 6m polytunnel have their own swinging metal door which means you can easily access and secure your tunnel without messing around with zips!
Bracing Bars - An absolute essential to see your tunnel through winter - avoid any models that do not offer bracing bars, it suggests the supplier is happy to cut corners at the expense of your tunnel.
Benefits Of A 6m Polytunnel
The obvious benefits are that you will be able to grow a wider variety, with more success over a longer period. Which is the grower's dream right? The sturdy 6m polytunnel will provide warmth, protection and consistency for your plants from January right through to December.
We love helping customers work out which size is right for them and whether a polytunnel could benefit their allotment, so if you have any questions or want some more advice why not get in touch with us here?
See our polytunnels and cold frames here;
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Polytunnel 3m x 2m
Regular price £149.99 GBPRegular priceUnit price per
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Large Polytunnel 6m x 3m - Pre Order for Early April
Regular price £229.99 GBPRegular priceUnit price per
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3m Replacement Polytunnel Greenhouse Cover - Zip Door
Regular price £59.99 GBPRegular priceUnit price per
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4m Replacement Polytunnel Greenhouse Cover - Zip Door
Regular price £69.99 GBPRegular priceUnit price per
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Wooden Cold Frame
Regular price £124.99 GBPRegular priceUnit price per
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Raised Trough Planter
Regular price £49.99 GBPRegular priceUnit price per
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Small Cold Frame Greenhouse
Regular price £49.99 GBPRegular priceUnit price per
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Large Vegetable Planter
Regular price £129.99 GBPRegular priceUnit price per
Let customers speak for us
excellent replacement
had a child on her push bike crash into mine which tore it to pieces. thankfully my motorbike wasnt in it at the time. cover lasted about 3 years i think in all weathers so they are good. would like to see a double type cover which is extra thick to take more punishment but as a product they are pretty good.
James Simpson
Bike Home - Replacement Cover - BH01
Walk-in cage
I bought the 3 by 2.8 walk-in cage. It was straight forward to put up the instructions were clear, it took a little time and patience to put the netting on. But overall I am very happy with this product. I would recommend this walk-in run.
Donna
Small Outdoor Galvanised Cage - Walk In Chicken Run
Perfect
I actually bought this to house two large raised vegetable beds, I used butterfly netting over it to keep out butterflies and my cat who thinks veg beds are a large litter tray! It looks good, the cat is certainly on the right side of it, the insect barrier?, time will tell! If all else fails I’ll get some chickens! Very nice and sturdy structure.
Kaz G
Small Outdoor Galvanised Cage - Walk In Chicken Run
Well built hutch
Arrived quick and was so easy to build. Once build quality was great. Only area that could be improved was ramp which I don't think will last very long
KAREN BUGBY
Bunny Ark Rabbit Hutch
Walk in chicken run
Fast delivery. Sturdy construction.
M Hayes
Large Outdoor Galvanised Cage - Walk In Chicken Run
6m Replacement Polytunnel Greenhouse Cover - Zip Door
Martin Conyers
6m Replacement Polytunnel Greenhouse Cover - Zip Door
Aviary
Looks good , but I haven’t built it yet as the weather is not good enough yet , i’ll send photos when it’s been erected
Marion Newton
Large Bird Aviary
Bird Aviary
Very pleased with bird aviary delivery very quick driver very helpful . I managed to put aviary together on my own 70 years young lady so if i can do it anyone can .
PAMELA MORGAN
Bird Aviaries and Extensions - AV02
Ordered mine 10 min ago can't wait to get it up and start using was wondering if the door can be reAnneversed x
Anne Graham
Polytunnel 3m x 2m
Husbands allotment
Hi we haven’t used it yet it’s still in its box too cold yet for spending too much time up there
Lynda Homan
Polytunnel 3m x 2m
Good rain cover!
Covers the hutch and keeps the guinea pigs dry.
Delivered quickly!
EmCove
Waterproof Rabbit Run Cover - Large
Great product
Instructions aren’t the best and resorted to YouTube for detail on how to do the door but apart from that everything else is great. Had lots of cable ties unlike others so looks like they’ve listened and put more in.
Simon Stevens
Small Outdoor Galvanised Cage - Walk In Chicken Run