Tuesday, 4 February 2014

My poly heaven

The biggest addition that I made to my garden was definitely the purchase of my polytunnel. It is absolutely fantastic. There is no better feeling that when you can potter in there and listen to the wind and rain battering off the plastic – knowing that without it I would probably be stuck inside the house.

After many months of saving and research I decided to go with First Tunnels UK - http://www.firsttunnels.co.uk/. They were super and I would thoroughly recommend them. There was no hassle and even thought there were some errors in the order – they resent the replacements immediately.

The delivery arrived and there was boxes everywhere. It was a daunting challenge – but luckily I had the help of some very good friends and family.  I had cleared the site (quite a big one considering the tunnel was 14ft x 25ft.)


The hoops went first – they were fine. It took 2 of us to put them in – but the challenge was to make sure that they were the exact distance apart from us – something that we didn’t really appreciate until a lot later on!!

After a lot of hard work (and cold fingers – it was February!!) we got the structure up. I even had some very able helpers!!!


The next stage was the plastic. This was a nightmare. In the end we did an ok job – but there was definitely some flapping plastic. We got the aluminum railing – they are supposed to be better. However I have seen the wooden ones in operation and I would probably go for these if I had a choice again.



This is Cormac, my father in law, who was a great help


Many hands make light work - this was attaching the plastic to the steel railings - very stressful!


There were four of us at this stage – definitely the more the merrier.


Being helped by Pippa – our gorgeous chocolate labrador


The kids loved helping build it.



It was definitely an ordeal – but absolutely worth it. I couldn’t believe the instant heat that was generated – even when we just through it over the bars and before it was tightened up.

I will post some more pics etc of what I did inside the tunnel – that took me a long time too. But if you are even considering getting a polytunnel – do it!! I couldn’t recommend it more.

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