Gardeners in the UK who are thinking about setting up their polytunnel often wonder, “How hot can a polytunnel get?” If you want to have healthy and thriving plants, you’ll need to learn how to maintain the best growing conditions in your polytunnel.
One of the best things about polytunnel gardening is that you can take complete control over your plant’s environment. One crucial factor to consider is the temperature within the enclosure. To keep the ideal internal temperature of about 80˚ to 85˚F steady, you’ll need to know how to regulate the heat that your polytunnel harnesses from the sun’s rays.
Yourpolytunnelis just like a car. On a warm and sunny day, it can heat up pretty quickly to over 100˚F. For this reason, it’s best to make sure that you regulate the temperature before your plants suffer and die.
What Temperature is Too Hot for a Polytunnel?
You know that the temperature is too hot for your polytunnel when it’s over 90˚F. It doesn’t matter if you’re growing the hardiest vegetables, such as tomatoes – they still won’t do well when the temperature is this high because they’ll only end up losing the water that they need to thrive.
You know that your plants are suffering in the heat when their leaves droop or if they shed some of their leaves in an attempt to save water. As previously mentioned, you need to keep the ideal temperature for enhanced plant growth constant anywhere between 80˚ and 85˚F.
Do Polytunnels Work in Hot Climates?
Yes, they do. If you live in the UK areas where the climate is hot, the best way to keep your plants growing and thriving year-round is to set up your polytunnel.
However, when the outdoor temperature spikes above 100˚F, it’s best to control the heat gain, add shade cloth, use an evaporative cooler, and a system that transfers the heat from the ground to the air. This technique will prevent your polytunnel from overheating.
What Temperature Should a Polytunnel be At Night?
Most of the plants in your polytunnel will thank you if you keep the internal temperature at 75˚F by night. However, it’s important to note that some types of crops produce better quality results when they’re grown in cooler polytunnel temperatures.
How Do I Cool Down My Polytunnel?
You can cool down your polytunnel by making sure that it’s properly ventilated. Your overheated plants will find relief if you use roof vents, louvred side vents and if you open the polytunnel door. You’ll be able to provide your plants with a complete air exchange every two minutes or so if your roof vents make up approximately one-fifth of your floor area.
Can apolytunnelGet Too Much Sun?
Yes, it can – especially during the summer. Keep in mind that without proper ventilation through the use of fans and roof vents, too much heat can cause damage to your crops. In an attempt to get a lot of sunlight into their polytunnel, some gardeners in the UK end up overheating their plants.
What Plants Can Survive Extreme Heat?
Cosmos, marigold, lemon verbena, lantana, sedum, salvia, and geranium are some of the several types of heat-loving plants that can keep any British garden looking lush and vibrant even during the peak of the summer season.
Is it Much Better to Grow Your Plants in a Polytunnel?
Yes, it is. Polytunnel gardening is far more beneficial to you and your plants than traditional outdoor gardening. Check out the reasons why:
It serves as a haven for your plants
While outdoor gardens in the UK constantly exposed to ever-changing weather conditions and the constant threat of destructive pests and animals, polytunnel plants provided a protected environment. Polytunnel gardeners in the UK won’t have to take time to prepare for emergency preparations for heavy rains, strong winds, blizzards, snow, hail, and other harsh weather conditions. What’s more, polytunnel gardening also allows you to keep harmful pests out and beneficial insects in.
You can take complete control over your plant’s growing environment
Aside from protecting your plants from inclement weather, seasonal pests, and vermin, a polytunnel also allows you to create the best growing environment for your plants. You’ll be able to keep the temperature and humidity inside the enclosure at constant levels. In other words, it doesn’t matter if it’s snowing outside – your plants can still enjoy a tropical environment inside the polytunnel.
You’ll get to grow more plant varieties and extend their growing seasons
Since the plants that are grown inside a polytunnel not exposed to the weather outside, you’ll be able to extend their growing seasons. What’s more, this means that you’ll be able to grow plant species that aren’t even native to your UK area.
Final Thoughts on the Answer to “How Hot Can a Polytunnel Get?”
Although it’s essential to know the answer to the question, “How hot can a polytunnel get?” the key is to take complete control over the temperature and humidity inside the structure. You can effectively do this using roof vents, side vents, fans, and other tools that can cool your plants down.