Vegetable Garden

Polytunnels in the winter months

January 13, 2010

For anybody not able to access the Facebook page to view the latest photos of our vegetable patch, the following picture shows why I’m such a lover of my polytunnel.

The broad beans, peas and oriental salads have all germinated, the carrots are hanging on in there and the whole tunnel has remained frost-free, despite the record low temperatures.

I’m willing to chance the pests & diseases in the summer months if it gives me a few extra months on the growing season.

4 Comments

  • Reply Mr. H. January 14, 2010 at 4:59 pm

    I love your polytunnel, I almost think that we could grow broadbeans this time of year, this year anyway, if I had one. I am curious as to how often you need to replace the plastic?

  • Reply Dee Sewell January 14, 2010 at 9:00 pm

    It usually depends upon on the grade of plastic, thickness of steel, exposure to the elements and how well it's put up…. That said, most on sale are 5 or 6 season – meaning 5 or 6 years, but people often get 10 years out of them.

    If you have any more questions on tunnels let me know and I'll do my best to answer them

  • Reply Sharon Matthews September 26, 2018 at 1:25 pm

    Can I plant spring greens in my polytunnel in October

    • Reply Dee Sewell October 2, 2018 at 1:37 pm

      I’d recommend you buy or borrow The Polytunnel Book: Fruit and Vegetables All Year Round by Joyce Russell. She has written a month by month guide and it’s an invaluable companion for a polytunnel. As to can or can’t you plant something, I always give it a go whether it’s considered right or wrong. I planted carrots once in October in a polytunnel. They were dormant for most of the winter then sprang out of the ground come spring, giving me the earliest crop I’d ever had.

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