Polytunnel

[Happyinheels]

Hello! So I have at least invested in a polytunnel. I really wanted to buy a beautiful greenhouse but just couldn't afford one. I checked out a few second hand ones but they were all too tricky for me to take down and put up on my own. Anyway, I am now the proud owner of a 4x3x2 polytunnel. This morning I have managed to build the frame. I can't source any hot spot tape locally so have to wait for that to arrive before I can put the cover on. I'm going to spend the next couple of days getting the ground sorted for it to go on. Has anyone else got a polytunnel? I'm just trying to think about the set up inside. I'm planning on 2 raised beds in an L shape, leaving the other long side to have a potting table against. Would love any tips or advice!

Is the covering netting or plastic? I always thought the plastic was to keep things warmer over winter, and to start seedlings off earlier in the season? This time of year- surely the plastic would heat things too much and potentially burn them? I was looking at something similar yesterday- but with a very fine netting to prevent carrot fly.

I'm new to gardening, but suggest you join the gardeners world forum. Lots of various topics (fruit/veg, wilfdlife gardening, solving problems etc) and very useful advice. You can post questions or just search for things.

It's the plastic covering. I have seen that that can definitely be an issue! There are some ingenious ideas out there on how to get shade in the polytunnel. I can only see. Like I say, I couldn't afford the whole shebang so this was the next best thing.
Thanks for that recommendation, I'll have a look 😊

If you have BBC Sounds there is a section about polytunnels in the 'allotments special' version of Gardeners' Question Time. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001mm04?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile