A Polytunnel in Autumn

1. A Polytunnel in Autumn Is too late to start a polytunnel construction project in the autumn? There is no reason why you can't start a new polytunnel or begin a polytunnel refurbishment later on in the year. Even if the project finishes in late autumn, you still have a wide choice of vegetables you can plant. What you need to do, is to make sure you plant vegetables that don't mind growing under slightly cooler conditions right from the start. Do I Need to Worry About Frost in My Polytunnel? Frost should not be something you should have to worry about in your polytunnel construction. But, if you live further north in the UK, and you are at risk of getting frost, you should check the ground temperature, or have the right heating accessories in place. Sometimes, it is better to go grow vegetables in slightly raised beds in cooler areas. If you are doing a polytunnel refurbishment, you should consider raising your beds at the same time as either recovering, or refurbishing is taking place. Growing techniques such as planting cabbages in old vehicle tyres can help with protection from the cold. But, most of the time, you should not experience frost in your tunnel when you use quality UV covers.

2. What Kind of Covers Should I Use? Don't only plan for the cold season. When you start a polytunnel construction, or do a polytunnel refurbishment, you need to plan for the entire year. The covers on your polytunnel are not meant to be changed every season. Instead, you need to make sure you have the right type of cover for growing a variety of crops. As the climate is getting warmer, the focus should be on covers that help to control the level of UV rays entering your tunnel. Too much UV light damages most crops. Can I Sow Plants from Seeds Directly in the Soil in Autumn? Technically, there is nothing to stop you. There are some vegetables such as onions that don't mind being sown directly in the ground during the autumn. But, when you want to grow a range of vegetables, it is better to plant vegetables that have already started growing they are more resilient. Many keen gardeners will use just one polytunnel construction for bringing on young crops, allowing for a late-in-the-year polytunnel refurbishment. Which is a good idea. Watering? You still need to water the plants in your new polytunnel construction even late in the season and you will probably find out they need less watering. Check it out on Google, or there are several user groups on Facebook that may be able to help you. Facebook and Google are great platforms to turn to when you want to know more about polytunnel refurbishment, or repairs to an existing tunnel. Final Thoughts Polytunnel gardening is becoming more popular than greenhouse gardening in the UK. Not only can you as a private gardener make use of a polytunnel. Many commercial growers and entrepreneurs, are also adding polytunnels as a way of growing new niche crops and protecting existing ones. Read More: How Often Should I Repair My Tunnel? Polytunnels UK Wide