Small Polytunnel Setup
With a variety of small polytunnel kits for
sale and with domestic polytunnels being one of the most sought-after choices,
setting one up is an important undertaking. Their natural design shape leads to
a long-lasting and sturdy structure capable of withstanding diverse weather
conditions especially when made with quality or heavy-duty materials. When purchasing
always check material specifications on any small polytunnel kits for sale website
you come across. Buying any size of small domestic polytunnel kits either
directly from a UK manufacturer or supplier is a safer bet, to achieve a good
standard of quality, you can purchase your own bespoke small polytunnel kits in
an easy assembly form and also select your preferred build materials.
The initial size required and what to grow along
with site preparation requires each step to be planned and thought about
carefully, in the process of erecting a small polytunnel for sale kit or
choosing a heavy duty domestic polytunnel bespoke option, involves careful crop
and build planning and execution.
Optimal Conditions for Installation
Choose a day that is warm and calm, the
warmer the day, allowing the polythene cover to stretch naturally, fitting taut
around the frame. Colder temperatures, cause polythene to contract and can become
a looser fit. The main key is to avoid windy and very cold conditions, which
can complicate and hinder the installation process. Always ensure hot-spot tape
is in place, you should find this on your installation instructions.
Installation of different domestic polytunnels,
which come in various dimensions is best approached as a team effort and
comfortably approached with two people which allows for the cover to be held
tight at each corner while someone else works on securing it. The larger the
polytunnel, the more helping hands you’ll need to manage its unwieldy size to
prevent snagging and achieve a better tauter fit.
Site Preparation
Knowing the exact size of your small
polytunnel for sale kit, allows you to pre-prepare the site clearing debris and
levelling if required, then marking out the area for the small polytunnel using
stakes and string, check twice to ensure your measurements are still accurate
and the corners are square. Then lay the foundation tubes for the door frame to
be in position at each end. If the tubes are to be anchored use the kit plates
and bury them at the bottom of dud-out location holes and secure using clamps. On
installation of the foundation tubes use a block of wood to protect against any
damage, drive into the ground until they are at the correct level, and are perfectly
vertical to avoid any misalignment of the connecting hoops. Your preferred choice
between anchor plates or base plates will depend on whether you decide on
setting up on soil or onto a hard concrete base.
Assembly of Small Polytunnel Kits
Once the frame foundation is set, the hoops
are fitted into the tubes. The hoops should slide in easily and be checked for
vertical alignment. Hoops are now in place, and the ridge bar and side bracing
bars are added, ensuring everything is correctly aligned and tightly secured.
Place anti-hot-spot tape on the framework, especially where it touches the
plastic cover, preventing damage from the frame overheating in direct sunlight.
The cover should be unrolled and carefully stretched
over the frame, with each corner held tight while the soil is placed back over
the trenches to hold the cover in place. Good tension of the cover is key to
ensuring the polythene doesn’t gather or flap, to prevent damage caused by
windy conditions.
Trench and Base Rail Methods
Trenching involves digging a known depth
trench around the edges of the polytunnel and burying the excess polythene
without it gathering and keeping the cover taut, when soil is placed over this
will anchor the cover during windy conditions. The base rail method, on the
other hand, is more expensive and involves clipping the polythene onto a frame
or timber rail, leaving a flap on the ground and is less labour-intensive than
digging trenches and makes adjusting the polythene cover much easier. It also
simplifies weeding around the edges.
Additional Stability Measures for Domestic Polytunnels
Small polytunnel kits for sale from a
reliable supplier do not normally require strengthening, but larger domestic polytunnels may, it can depend on the length and height, to be safe and have
added stability, sidebars should be placed diagonally at each corner to prevent
the end hoops from shifting. Crop bars are also a valuable addition, especially
for those larger-sized domestic polytunnels or when placed in exposed areas. Adding
these bars reinforces the structure but is also used for supporting climbing
plants or veg.
Door or Vent Fitting
Once the small polytunnel kits for sale are secured,
the polythene around the door frame is fitted. This typically involves cutting
a flap and stretching it tight over the length of the tunnel, then carefully positioning
the door or vent and securing it. Job done.
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