I do like the cleanliness and the arrangements of maximising the polly tunnel. I think I will stick with you as am a new to this and with your knowledge gifting to others is fabulous . Thank you

@SteveRichards

15 күн бұрын

Thanks Kevin, be sure to look at the book too, lots more videos available there steverichards.notion.site/Outgrow-6f57489ae10a4721b48b421826203814?pvs=4

Eines der schönsten und informativsten Videos! Dein Wintergemüse sieht wirklich hervorragend aus ich liebe es❤ Grüsse aud Deutschland😍

Amazing what you do, so interesting and informative. I had my tunnel in 1986, they came a standard size…14 ft by 65 ft! Far too long as just got so hot in the middle, but spent so many pleasurable hours in there growing veg. It’s only been recovered once since, but now is in need of reducing its size and recovering. I was going to give up on it, but you have inspired me to get on with it next year. How I wish you had been around all those years ago. Your tunnel looks A very desirable place to be, so productive as the whole of your garden. I have learnt so much from you. Your greenhouse looks amazing too, have you a video on its construction etc? Thankyou

@SteveRichards

7 ай бұрын

Thanks for the lovely feedback Marilyn, I think we all sometimes feel like giving up, if we push through, we rarely regret it. Do you have any roof vents in your tunnel? northernpolytunnels.co.uk/polytunnel-roof-vent/ I have a video coming on the greenhouse : All the best - Steve

The best organized poly tunnel I’ve ever seen Thank u for sharing

@SteveRichards

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Michael, I've evolved my systems a bit since that video, but it has been amazingly productive and such a nice place to work and shelter from the elements! : All the best - Steve

Great setup, Steve.

This is one of the best videos I have seen on poly tunnels. Thank you. So much to think about. I have totally changed my thinking on my plans.

@SteveRichards

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Cate, I'm so pleased that you found it helpful. I have a playlist of videos that show how I'm using the tunnel last year if you want to take a look kzread.info/head/PLFhKoRR-NiCJzls-aczdXvzSM2C8Q8TvD : All the best - Steve

Very informative Steve, thanks for sharing

love what you have done ...Inspiration

Thanks for sharing your knowledge, much appreciated.

Thank you for that tour. Lovely.

@SteveRichards

3 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it Denise : All the best - Steve

Another very informative video. I don’t have a polly tunnel but some helpful tips for my greenhouse. Thanks. Eamonn.

@SteveRichards

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the feedback Eamonn : All the best - Steve

I really enjoyed this video. It gave me an idea of how useful and fun a poly tunnel would be for me. I really want to get one. My Minnesota hobby farm doesn't have any flat places with good sunlight. I am working on getting some excavating done. Thanks for the inspiration.

@SteveRichards

4 жыл бұрын

Good luck, the polytunnel has really transformed gardening for us! You might like some of the other polytunnel videos kzread.info/head/PLFhKoRR-NiCJzls-aczdXvzSM2C8Q8TvD : All the best - Steve

fantastic video my friend , awesome advice and information about your polytunnel !!

@SteveRichards

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks, it’s always great to know that a video is useful : all the best - Steve

hi Steve, I'm amazed by your work, such a clever features 🙂 thanks for sharing ideas...

@SteveRichards

4 жыл бұрын

My pleasure Joan! : All the best - Steve

Some great ideas for me to take away, thank you. Going to build some staging today but I'm going to get some different timber as your method will let more light below. Slowly catching up on all your videos, thanks for taking the time to make them and the brilliant ebook.

@SteveRichards

3 жыл бұрын

I've definitely had good success growing under the staging : All the best - Steve

Really good video Steve. Youve got a very good set up there. Ive got a polytunnel and lucky enough to have a good greenhouse I took over on my allotment plot. Like you I plant some things late inside to prolong the season. Right now Im still growing mixed green and mixed red lettuce (not winter varieties) in the greenhouse. It grows slower but thats fine for me to pick, I just have lots of it. I love the gutter idea you have. I also have a bench in my greenhouse that I took down in summer to grow tomatoes etc and I just put back up for seedlings now and next year. Your doing really well, you would think youve been doing it for many years.

@SteveRichards

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks John, in my 4th year now and I'm gradually getting the hang of it. I still need to refine my timings and variety choices a little, but it's gradually starting to feel as if I have a smooth and easy system, with plenty of opportunities to improve, but plenty to be pleased about. It's lovely to come across a fellow winter grower, too few of us given the opportunity, we just picked 70 litres of veg today :-) : All the best - Steve

You have thought of everything!

@SteveRichards

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Karrie, that was a few years ago now and I don't think I'd change it much : All the best - Steve

Highly informative upload, thank you. I've just moved house and the rear E/W oriented garden is covered with AstroTurf. It also has a slope North to South of around 15cm, so I'm thinking a polytunnel might be hard to install optimally. Grateful for any thoughts, both from your good self, or your subscribers.

@SteveRichards

3 жыл бұрын

My tunnel is east west and I like the way it works. A 15cm slope would be fairly easy to level with a rake, my site was all over the place and it took 2 hours to level it : all the best - Steve

@AntPDC

3 жыл бұрын

@@SteveRichards Thank you Steve. I was looking for an excuse to tear out the Astroturf!

Thank you )))

Hi Steve just subscribed to your channel good video on your polytunnel set up I have one on my Plot and they are great for longer growing season Dave

@SteveRichards

5 жыл бұрын

Welcome to the channel Dave, I hope you enjoy it. What are you growing in your tunnel this winter?

@DaveOnThePlot

5 жыл бұрын

Hi Steve Our tunnel 3.5 W x 14 we have cauliflowers ,tomatoes , chillies, lettuce fig tree , grape vine , Lemmon tree on the seed bench carrots, lettuce ,garlic I also have a channel on KZread with videos of my tunnel. Have a good week. Dave

@SteveRichards

5 жыл бұрын

That's a wonderful polytunnel Dave, huge seed starting area and growing space too. : All the best - Steve

Great vid, where did u get the tressle table legs from. Cheers keep up the great work

@SteveRichards

5 жыл бұрын

Hi Glyn, I got them from here www.firsttunnels.co.uk/spare-accessoriesDetail/staging-supports only £10 each and very stable once everything gets attached, although they seem quite feeble until then : All the best - Steve

Hi Steve, I’m on catch up, so new to your channel. What size is your poly tunnel? What size is your overall plot and how many raised beds do you have? Also (sorry for all the questions) where roughly in the country are you situated? What’s your prevailing wind? I often see poly tunnels demolished by the wind so keen to learn how to protect them. Thanks for sharing your learning journey. I’m building my wish list of modifications as soon as our tunnel arrives. Thanks

@SteveRichards

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Nik, the introduction to my book and the chapter on polytunnel growing have all these answers and a lot more, you can find it here steverichards.notion.site/Gardening-eBook-info-6f57489ae10a4721b48b421826203814. The green polytunnels don't last long, the type I have, with extra thick steel tubing and additional framing will withstand most storms. The main danger is flying debris, ripping the polythene, in that case vigilance and polytunnel repair tape is your friend! I see as much damage to greenhouses as tunnels on my site, but it's easier to repair a greenhouse - usually. I have chapters on the wind in the section of the book on climate change. My plot is 250m2 a standard plot : All the best - Steve

@nikcole6193

2 жыл бұрын

@@SteveRichards Steve, amazing, thanks for sharing your knowledge and taking the time to reply.

Hi Steve, am thinking about a polytunnel but there are a couple things to consider here in northern BC Canada. (56th latitude 122 Longtitude) First one is snow load that might be dealt with by removing the poly before winter. But then am not familiar with how easy/difficult this may be. Second issue is wind. Am wondering if you hve 80km/h winds and if the poly tunnel can handle it? Your tunnel has been up for years and I wonder what if any repairs/maintenance is done to keep it it top condition? Right now poly tunnels do not seem like they can take our climate well but hope to be pleasantly surprised. Thanks Steve.

@SteveRichards

4 жыл бұрын

I don't know about the snow load unfortunately we hardly get snow here, but there are definitely plenty of farmers with tunnels in Canada, but probably in the south Curtis Stone, Jean-Martin Fortier etc. They remove the snow daily with brushes or rope. My tunnel has coped fine with 80km wind. You need good fixings and extra bracing and the polythene needs to be stretched drum tight! I'd definitely recommend double sliding doors at both ends. The only repairs I've had to do are due to cats climbing on it and ripping it with their claws, which happened on the first night I had it!! The cat scarcer seems to have worked now though. You need to spray the inside for algae every year : All the best - Steve

Hi steve excellent video - having watched Northerns All Alluminium versions they do seem much easier to erect - I am concerned about the gradual degrading of the wooden base panels however this may be overcome by posssibly painting in waterbased paint before erecting or even covering with plastic or other protective cover to delay the degrading process -? My question is 2 years on with hind sight would you stick with your purchase or would you go alluminium / bury in the ground option As I am just getting started I value your videos and advice greatly and have recomended your site to others Finally do you consider the ridge laying east west as best overall as some sites suggest North South etc I am looking at either a 15x10 or 15 x 12 with double doors Thanks in dvance

@SteveRichards

4 жыл бұрын

My choice was driven by the availability of the double doors at each end and I’m definitely pleased I went with that option, much more important than the type of rail. I chose the orientation because it fitted my space, but it was the perfect choice as it happens. It works great for sunshine, but even better for wind, our wind is normally westerly and being oriented that way I find I can always have the east door fully open and the west open by a few inches and I get great ventilation. The side panels seem in good condition, they get wet sometimes due to condensation, but they don’t touch the floor and they quickly dry out. All that said, if you can get double in all aluminium I get that

Hi Steve. Congratulations on your excellent channel, from which I learn so much, having got my first polytunnel only last year on a windy site in north county Dublin. Yours is my go-to channel for gardening advice. I'm interested in the thermometer and bluetooth thermometer in this video. Can you tell me the makes and models of each and if you find them accurate and functional? Are you still using the ones shown in this video and would you recommend them? If you've changed I'd be interested to know what you are using now. I've had a few and found the variations in readings quite significant, even when more than one is placed in the same location. Many online reviews of min/max and bluetooth thermometers and hygrometers and quite negative. I'd appreciate any advice you can give. Many thanks, John,.

@SteveRichards

4 жыл бұрын

Hi John, thanks for the feedback! I'm using Sensorpush thermometers, but I can't say that I really recommend them, that's not because of the product itself, more that over time I've become a lot less concerned about monitoring temperature. I've just found that ventilation is more important than heat for most of the year and that fleece in the polytunnel solves most problems. My focus now is only simplification, rather than sophistication. Tony Smith has a nice video showing the sensorpush thermometers and has links in the description of the video of you are interested kzread.info/dash/bejne/p3aX2bCMlpCzgLA.html : All the best - Steve

@jjlawlor

4 жыл бұрын

@@SteveRichards Hi Steve. Many thanks for getting back to me so promptly. I appreciate your advice and I've started using fleece in mine too. We haven't really had any serious frost here this winter in any case. This will be my first full year growing in the tunnel as I got it late in June last year. I'm looking forward to a productive year. All the best with your fabulous allotment. Best regards, John.

@SteveRichards

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks John, you have the wind and rain to thank for the prompt reply, so at least someones happy with the weather ;-) : All the best - Steve

I've watched this very interesting video for the first time coming to it from your equally informative and helpful ebook. I'd love to build something like your long trestle table. You mention that you got the aluminium tubing for the base cheaply. Please could you give me some idea of what kind of outlet has this kind of tubing with flattened ends, together with joining pieces. You obviously had several different lengths. Did you buy them like that or cut them to size? Any help or pointers would be very gratefully received as I can't find anything helpful online and don't really know where to start looking.

@SteveRichards

3 жыл бұрын

These are the ones I used www.firsttunnels.co.uk/spare-accessoriesDetail/staging-supports-for-polytunnels

@jang1581

3 жыл бұрын

That’s brilliant. Thanks very much.

Steve I'm so happy I found your channel! Can you tell me what width did you make the beds in the tunnel? And when you buy the landscape fabric I assume it was also from First Tunnels, (?) did you pick a certain weight or thickness? Thanks so much!

@SteveRichards

3 жыл бұрын

Hi Mary, the big bed is 4ft and the other 2ft. I have a large path down the centre, partly because we have picnics in there as a family and also because I like to start a lot of things off in containers see this video kzread.info/dash/bejne/ipaDzsuumrbaZ9Y.html. I actually just purchased the fabric from Amazon, because I wanted it to extend 6" beyond the perimeter of the tunnel Yuzet 09-001006-01-01 2m x 50m 100g Weed Control Ground Cover Membrane Land... www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B006H1MDEC/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_QuRKFbYQ6D4NX?_x_encoding=UTF8&psc=1. I also have cheap carpet runners in there, from Aldi, because it gets a lot of foot traffic and I don't want to wear out the landscape fabric as it will be hard to replace (it's looped under the raised bed edges). I've been very happy with the arrangement so far, very productive, but also a lovely place to work and chill out in all weathers and I can wear my normal clothes, as it's clean and tidy : All the best - Steve

@marymcandrew7667

3 жыл бұрын

@@SteveRichards Thanks so much Steve for your helpful links and reply. I laughed when you mentioned not getting your 'normal' clothes dirty in the video, because I am in and out to the garden so much (at my house) and my knees are the first to get dirty! I can't resist getting down and fixing things as I go by. I too do a lot with containers, but mostly because we have to here. It's a rented house with very shallow ground (on top of an old school playground!) But I like how you can move things about in containers and like your idea of using the middle that way. I'm not sure if we can go with the screw anchor because at our new house (where the polytunnel will be) there's lots of big field stones in the soil. We'll need a digger in to level the area, it's like a wild field and not level! Do you think the wood side rail is ok and how did you order your door? Did you take out the plastic sheeting on it and put the mesh screen yourself or can you buy it that way? I thought it was very clever the way you put the perspex in with twist toggles ( we call them butterfly nuts in the states!) I'm so grateful for your feedback and have subscribed just today when I found you. You have so many videos on the polytunnel use I can't wait to watch. I hope you did a detailed one on rainwater collection with a pump. I'm fascinated by rain water collection and would love to hook up some small solar pump.

@SteveRichards

3 жыл бұрын

Hi Mary, I typically garden for 1-2 hours a day, often for only 30 minutes at a time, so I don't have any gardening clothes, so it really helps to keep everything clean and tidy. I like the base rail system, the wood seems fine, but if I were to get a tunnel now I'd probably get wiggle wire. The door came in bits, so you can install anything in the panels. I've done the polytunnel gutter in two ways and there's a good discussion in the comments of different options, the second way has worked best kzread.info/dash/bejne/fqmAztF6dcbHfco.html and kzread.info/dash/bejne/nJ55usqCgpPLj6g.html. I was fortunate to be given a little battery powered pump and I love it, it's so much better than solar. I can empty one of my collection tanks and move the water into storage in a few minutes (normally while harvesting) kzread.info/dash/bejne/ZJWBpMWucbSvodY.html : All the best - Steve

I would have the windsock higher up and a wire running lower down along the length of the tunnel. Why? well birds peck at the tunnel plastic trying to get the insects that build up on the roof of the tunnel, and punch holes into the top of the plastic.

@SteveRichards

5 жыл бұрын

I remember you mentioning that when I first got the tunnel and fortunately I've not had that problem (yet). Maybe that's because of the numerous cats that are on the allotment site, that unfortunately liked to jump off the coldframe lid and scamper up the polytunnel. I've solved that with a cat scarer! I've considered making the windsock higher, but that requires buying some more wood and for now it's serving it's purpose well. Thanks for the reminder thoughh, I will keep an eye out for bird problems. How did you attach your bird scaring wires to your tunnel?

@PlotToPlates

5 жыл бұрын

Just with a higher pole at each end, I used strimmer wire as it will not damage the plastic and it has lasted 3 years so far.

What is the dimension of the polytunnell Awesome attention to detail

@SteveRichards

5 жыл бұрын

It’s 20’ by 10’ Robert

Is your tunnel made 5 hoops if I got the frame where would I get the polythene what grade and how much roughly based on your size frame please

@SteveRichards

5 жыл бұрын

All of the polytunnel companies sell polythene. Mine is from First Tunnels and for a 20 by 10' tunnel like mine it costs £130 www.firsttunnels.co.uk/polytunnel-cover-calculator : All the best - Steve

Have you considered putting guttering at the base of your poly tunnel? Channeling it to a sump at one or both ends might get you some of that extra water you were interested in getting in a previous video. It'd probably require regular pumping out during some times of the year. I don't know if it's worth the expense, time and effort. That's for you to decide, but there it is. 🤔 How is the pole holding up that wind sock attached? I was thinking about what PLOT TO PLATES said about making that mast taller. Perhaps another location for the wind sock would be simpler. Something is bound to wear through (eventually) with the wind causing friction between the sock and the polythin.

@SteveRichards

5 жыл бұрын

The sump idea is interesting, I will have a think about that. I wanted the wind sock flapping about near the polytunnel as a kind of bird scarer and I've not seen any birds land on it so far, so it might be working. I could easily make it higher if I wanted to, but it works just fine there at the moment and the wind sock's only last about a year before the wind shreds them and they need replacing : All the best - Steve

@ronyerke9250

5 жыл бұрын

@@SteveRichards I was hoping that the wind sock is the weak link, but I'd be at least a little concerned about rubbing damage being done to the poly tunnel after a succession of wind socks. Technically, you could put in a sump anyplace on your allotment where water collects, but you'd need a strong cover to prevent hurting anyone's ankles. Your allotment looks to be so well managed, that I'd be surprised to see a puddle on it. 👍

@SteveRichards

5 жыл бұрын

Yeah, no puddles on my plot, but that's due to a thick mulch of wood chip on top of sandy soil. Lots of plots on the site flood all through winter, but mine is raised up about 4 inches by the mulch and another six inches by the raised beds, so it's not an issue. The plot is 'well managed' to make life very easy for me, all the work was done in the first three weeks and now site management takes about a day a year . : All the best - Steve

@ronyerke9250

5 жыл бұрын

@@SteveRichards Hmm. 🤔 It might not help you ( then again, it might ), but perhaps some of your fellow allotment holders would benefit from the creation/installation of a (few) cistern(s). Having some local and in-ground storage capacity might kill two birds with one stone, flood abatement and winter water access. You could mention it if you get the opportunity. Still, it would require some pumping up to use it. I wonder how well those blue barrels hold up to being buried and trodden upon.

@SteveRichards

5 жыл бұрын

@@ronyerke9250 unfortunately I'm surrounded by plots that only grow from May to September, plentiful tap water available then! I think I've convinced the committee to put two IBC's on the nearly lodge roof, that will provide a very useful water reserve that I can access in April if we have a dry winter, like the current very dry autumn : All the best - Steve

How do you store your poly tunnel crops after they are in their glass storage

@SteveRichards

Жыл бұрын

I'm not sure what you mean by "glass storage" Judith : All the best - Steve

Hi Steve, in the years you've had your polytunnel ever had issues with birds landing and pecking on the polythene? Thanks

@SteveRichards

Жыл бұрын

I haven’t, but I have had plenty of cats climbing up it. I attached an orange wind sock to the door and that might have deterred them a little

@Lifegrowsonandon

Жыл бұрын

@@SteveRichards Thanks Steve, I did notice the windsock, good shout.

What;s the idea of the 'halo' thingys? I mean why r they needed?

@SteveRichards

Жыл бұрын

They're not 'needed', but they are useful. They make watering very easy, they direct the water a couple of inches below the compost and they keep the stem dry, reducing the risk of rot, see this video for more kzread.info/dash/bejne/fWad0q2gddeXgs4.html : All the best - Steve

@ichhasseamerika

Жыл бұрын

@@SteveRichards - Gr8! Thanks so much for taking the time to respond. happy gardening and greetings from Ireland!

ruski yes

Where can I buy those tomatoes planter

@SteveRichards

5 жыл бұрын

I bought mine on eBay, but they are available on Amazon too, or make them from cut off bottles 6 x All In 1 Garden Plant Halos Crop Support Watering Tubs For Grow Bags Ga... www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01BVLHBC6/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_U_x_nDZiCbDGJXARJ via @AmazonUK