HIGHER MORWELL POLYTUNNEL
The frame erected in the
dry. We had to dig an extra
metre out at the front,
apparently we should have
been told that it needed a
good deal of space around
the basic 8m by 4m to
allow fitting of the vent
handles. The clods of
earth and stones in the
centre are the result. The
erectors came back in the
morning with the rain and
moved the frame forward
half a metre to fit.
It rained for the whole
time it took to put the rest
of the tunnel together and
the site became very
muddy. The large pile of
earth is still inside waiting
to be de-stoned and used
in the beds. First job will
be the right-hand bed
lengthways as it is the
easiest being already at
the right level. Water
butts need to be fitted at
the back to catch the
rainwater from the gutters
on either side.
17 June, one week in and the water butts are in place, one each side. 200 litres each, it took a week for
the rain to fill them both. The first bed is taking shape and the refugees from the oven that is the
greenhouse are awaiting planting.
24 June and after a big push in the polytunnel sauna we have a fully planted bed with tomatoes,
tomatilloes and courgettes. That mound of earth in the centre will have to go somewhere before we can
make headway with rotavating underneath it, but the path foundation at least is in place.
1st July and a lot of soil has been carefully sifted to remove the staggering amount of stones in our ground.
The courgettes are doing well underneath the shelf. We’ve hung two baskets with tumbling tomatoes from
the roof, interesting to see how they compare with the similar basket hanging outside by the front door of
the house.
8th July and the layout for the beds is finished, the
board at the door end has been left off until the soil
has been processed and the middle bed rotavated.
Seven of this year’s chilli seedlings have been moved
from the greenhouse and planted in the ground inside
the tunnel. Three, one of each variety, have been left
in the greenhouse to see if they fare any better or
worse than these seven.
This is the
polytunnel ‘at rest’
in January 2017.
Nothing is actively
growing as the soil
is cold but it is still
in a protective
environment. The
cauliflowers at the
far end show no
sign of hearting up,
but the beetroot in
the foreground and
turnips behind are
very useable.
The kale has been a great success,and we
are able to cut leaves knowing more will
grow.
On the right are some leeks just about
ready to pull, and at the back Savoy
cabbage which needs a bit longer.
The cauliflowers turned out to be
magnificent, just all were ready at once!
But they freeze very well so we have a
good supply.
Radishes have been a great success this year, as
of early June there are several rows at different
stages. This is a handful from plants grown from
seed in May.