THE BEST LOCATION FOR YOUR POLYTUNNEL?
Citing Your Polytunnel - The decision for the location of your polytunnel will largely be related to what is practical for your designated available space. We have a number of considerations for you when deciding on the best location for your polytunnel:
- A corner plot with some natural shelter (wind break) is ideal. Avoid overhang from trees and bushes, however. Apart from a risk of things falling from trees and bushes causing potential damage, there will be a dust/dirt fall-out that will soil the polythene which will have a negative effect on the diffusion properties of your polythene.
- An east/west aspect with the sun running end-to-end over the tunnel daily will maximise sunlight diffusion into your tunnel. This is not essential as the polythene is very effective at drawing in and processing the sun's rays.
- If you are subject to quite a strong prevailing wind on an open plot, we suggest citing your tunnel such that the wind is hitting the tunnel side-on (rolling over) and not end-on. In the case of very windy and exposed site please consider [1] Bracing kits (reinforced frame work) [2] Crop Bars (Practical for hanging and tieing off inside the tunnel but also giving a cross-width bracing effect for your frame) [3] Construction of simple windbreaks to take the direct force out of the wind approaching your tunnel.
- Allow for access to your tunnel at both ends. You will find that end-to-end ventilation will be important in hot weather.
- Remember to allow 2-3' around the perimeter of your tunnel for trench burying your polythene or allowing enough practical working space for battening of your polythene.
- You may wish to consider water supply for irrigation and the pressure of the water feed if you are considering hose irrigation.