Those who want to step away from traditional outdoor gardening in the UK are trying to figure out how to grow plants in a mini polytunnel. Growing under the cover of this enclosed space is a little different from what most UK gardeners are used to.
Although the sun can provide your fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers with the light and heat that they need to thrive, it’s up to you to provide them with everything else that they might need, including pest control or fertilising agents.
What is the Point of a Mini Polytunnel?
Aside from shielding your plants from the elements and destructive pests, a mini-polytunnel also makes it possible for you to grow various types of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers all year round.
What Can You Grow Inside a Mini Polytunnel?
You can use a mini polytunnel to grow various fruits, vegetables, and plants such as peppers, tomatoes, asparagus, eggplants, lettuce, salads, cucumbers, chillies, French beans, sweetcorn, squashes, spring cabbage, and courgettes.
How Do You Grow Plants in a Mini Polytunnel?
First, you need to make sure that you’re using top-quality potting soil that’s completely sterile and drains well. If you use a growing medium that tends to hold excess water can cause the roots of your plants to suffocate.
Furthermore, it also makes it more likely for your plants and seedlings to dampen off. When this happens, they will rot at the crown or the soil line. You’d want to use lightweight potting soil because it gives your plants’ roots more access to air.
Furthermore, your plants will also need to be regularly fed with a balanced fertiliser when you grow them in a mini polytunnel. Although the microorganisms found on the topsoil can produce nutrients for your growing plants, these nutrients can still wash out within weeks. For this reason, it’s best to make use of a dilute mixture during the first few weeks of plant growth.
How Do You Plant Seeds Inside a Mini Polytunnel?
First, grab some flowerpots, peat pots, or seed-starting trays and fill them with moist seed-starting mix. Make sure that you follow the seed packet directions when you’re planting the seeds.
In most cases, you only need to plant two to three seeds in a single pot. It’s best if they’re planted at 1/8 to 1/2-inch in terms of depth.
Once you finish planting the seeds, you may cover them with soil before you mist them with water and cover them with plastic wrap.
How Often Should You Water Seeds Inside a Mini Polytunnel?
You’ll only need to water seeds once per day if you’re growing them in a mini polytunnel. This should be enough to keep the soil moist while keeping them from completely drying out.
However, if you live in a UK area that experiences hot weather, you may need to water your plants more than once a day. To ensure that your seeds are getting enough water, it’s best to check on them frequently.
Are Plastic Mini Polytunnels Any Good?
Yes, they are. Many people choose to use plastic mini-polytunnels because they’re easy to assemble and easy to clean. They also come in a wide variety of shapes, and they’re more affordable than other alternatives.
What are the Benefits of Mini Polytunnel Gardening?
Mini polytunnel gardening offers loads of benefits for your plants because it provides them with a safe environment that maximises their growth. If you want to take a closer look at the beautiful benefits of setting up your mini polytunnel, check this out:
You’re free to create the best growing environment for your plants
Growing your plants in a mini polytunnel allows you to control the temperature and humidity inside the enclosure and keep them at the levels that enhance your plants’ growth potential. Aside from this, you can also keep the beneficial insects inside the mini polytunnel. These could include braconid wasps, damsel bugs, ground beetles, lacewings, lady beetles, bumblebees, minute pirate bugs, soldier beetles, spined soldier bugs, and tachinid flies.
You’ll enjoy longer growing seasons
Having your mini polytunnel outside your home or inside your apartment allows you to plant out-of-season plants. The enclosed space provides them with the protection they need from temperature swings while keeping the ideal levels of heat and moisture steady inside the mini polytunnel.
This will make it possible for you to grow your plants throughout the winter season. You can enjoy fresh-cut blooms that are out of season or grow favoured varieties of flowers for use.
Your plants will be protected from inclement weather
With your plants inside a mini-polytunnel, you won’t have to worry about heavy rains, strong winds, snow, hail, and other harsh weather conditions that may potentially cause damage to them.
You can keep the pests and critters out
One of the best things about growing your tender plants in a mini polytunnel is that they won’t have to experience pests and critters that won’t hesitate to destroy all of your gardening efforts in the UK. These pests may include cabbage maggots, cutworms, caterpillars, Mexican bean beetles, flea beetles, Japanese beetles, Colorado potato beetles, tarnished plant bugs, and scales. The animals that can potentially harm your plants include rabbits, deer, groundhogs, voles, squirrels, and raccoons.
The Bottom Line on How to Grow Plants in a Mini Polytunnel
After knowing how to grow plants in a mini polytunnel, the next step would be to find the perfect one that would suit your unique needs. Happy mini polytunnel gardening in the United Kingdom!