The polytunnel has been slowly nearing completion. We dug a trench around the periphery into which we put a land drain pipe and theres already a huge difference in drainage in the surrounding area. The hoops are all up, as are the crop bars. Now we need three variables to coincide in order to get it up and finished ; sunshine to facilitate stretching the plastic, no wind to ensure we don't inadvertently launch a very expensive kite and last but not least, a day on which willing helpers are able to visit.
You must be as strong as an ox by now - I'm quite amazed at what you are doing!
Posted by: Gwyn | March 26, 2007 at 11:07 PM
Just got our polytunnel re-fabric-ed and repaired after winter storms. It's not as posh as your kit, but given a similar job in the US coats over $1000, I'm happy enough with our home-built one ( http://kitchengardenfoods.com/garden-projects/2006-projects/polytunnel/ ) for a second year. More here-- http://gastrocasttv.com/blog/2006/03/02/gale-force-10/
I let some chickens root around in there for the past few days. I was in there turning over some fresh soil for them to get the weed seeds and grubs and had to duck out--it's grey and cloudy and it was over 26 inside, but 10 out.
Good Luck with yours! Once you have one you can't go back and you may want another. . . .
Posted by: Podchef | March 27, 2007 at 12:26 AM
and you put my piddly lil polytunnel that i was so proud of.. quite to shame!!!
*goes green*.. i want a big one now! (never mind that i have absolutely no where to put it.. )
BTW when it comes to helping, i'd gladly help, but there's a big stretch of water in the way.. :)
good luck with the rest of it - looking forward to seeing the photos of the finished thing!
keth
xx
Posted by: keth | March 27, 2007 at 02:01 AM
Hello, do you get the BBC program "It's not easy being green" in Eire, we followed the Strawbridge' relocation to Cornwall and their attempts at a greener life in the last series. They have a website
http://www.itsnoteasybeinggreen.org/
which might be of interest to you, especially as they are offering courses - didn't know if it might help with your new enterprise to see what other folk are doing. Incidently my husband used It's not easy being green as a title to a post on his business blog and got 16 visits via google.
Posted by: carolyn | March 27, 2007 at 06:01 PM
Skinning the tunnel is great fun, but because the air is *never* absolutely still there'll be pressure on you to make snap decisions so be *absolutely* sure of each step before you start. Some of the instructions that ship with the kits can be a bit vague!
My own problem was the "snip" needed in the film at the top corners of the door frame - the instructions were absolutely silent on this and I'd be interested to know if yours are any better. We used a Northern Polytunnels kit, and your frame looks identical.
Good luck, and don't forget the photos!
Posted by: hedgewizard | March 28, 2007 at 12:36 AM