Polytunnels and Why to Consider Buying One
Looking for a cost-cutting way to try and
grow your own fresh garden produce and protect seedlings and young plants and
crops from the UK’s weather elements? Consider investing in smaller-sized polytunnels,
not only can they help to extend a growing season, but they also offer a protected
and safe space for a variety of crops.
Ready to enjoy fresh veggies year-round?
Discover the benefits of owning a polytunnel! Ready to enjoy fresh veggies
year-round? Discover the benefits of owning a polytunnel!
These simple half-hooped structures come in
various dimensions and designs. Each one can create various and unique microclimates,
depending on the type of polytunnel covers used. Their purchasing category
names range from, mini, garden, domestic, and commercial polytunnels, these are
usually categorised dimensionally by their varied availability in width,
length, and height size.
The main function and purpose of polytunnels
and their simple designs are to offer a sheltered, controlled microclimate, where
crops. plants fruits and young trees are protected and shielded from the UK’s
harsh and very different blustery weather conditions, such as strong winds,
torrential rain, freezing conditions, and snow and hail.
Their varying size frame dimensions and
different designs they are available in, as well as the various grades and
thickness strengths the manufacturers produce them in and the various clear and
coloured options polytunnel covers, can be selected from. The covers are gently
placed over the frame structure and can be anchored in various ways, providing
robust housing with a protective versatility, allowing gardeners, nursery growers,
and commercial polytunnel producers, to access other areas of production opportunities,
and to experiment in cultivating differing varieties of flowers, plants, fruits,
and vegetables that are not necessarily native to the UK, or naturally suited
to the UK’s year-round climate. Allowing for a more diverse range of differing
produce to be cultivated, such as vegetables, salads, herbs, peppers, flowers,
fruits, plants, and lots more. It also offers an extension of their individual
growing seasons by several weeks or even a month or so.
How Do Polytunnels Function?
The quality of construction materials used
can differ, from the smaller garden and domestic types to the much larger
commercial polytunnels that can be either single or multi-span constructions. The various polytunnel covers allow a
percentage penetration of UV rays to enter through the cover type and then trap
the sunlight and heat in, creating a warm and humid environment ideal for plant
growth. Growers have the option to manually regulate temperature and humidity
by adjusting in-built ventilation or using system-specific equipment designed
for climate and irrigation control within the tunnel.
Some tunnel types are spacious enough for
large-scale cultivation and production, commercial polytunnels can accommodate
harvesting machinery and working and growing platforms, helping to streamline
the production process. This is particularly common in the cultivation of vine
crops and soft fruits like tomatoes, strawberries, and raspberries,
Domestic vs. Commercial Polytunnels
Small and large, garden and domestic polytunnels:
These are ideal for home, allotment, large domestic spaces, and field use, for gardeners
and smaller growers looking to extend their growing season, or to diversify
into different crops and plant types. They are generally smaller and more
affordable and can be easily installed. The polytunnel covers are normally, a
standard issue that can last from anything up to 4/6 years.
Commercial polytunnels: The various designs
and dimensions they are available in are aimed at larger-scale farming, niche
growers, nursery, and market garden businesses. These structures are versatile to whatever
crop type is required to be cultivated from, plants, flowers, vegetables, and
fruit production. They are dimensionally and vertically expansive, thus more
expensive, as stronger frame materials are used, along with heavy-duty
polytunnel covers, with differing 6/8year cover guarantees.
Bespoke builds are also available for businesses
and customers with specific requirements.
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