Perhaps one of the things you want to figure out is keeping plants warm inside a mini polytunnel. If you’re new to mini polytunnel gardening in the United Kingdom, you can be confident that these enclosed spaces are ideal for providing your plants with the protection they need during those cold winter months. However, when the temperatures begin to drop lower than usual, you’ll need to provide your crops with extra heat.
If you think that the measures you need to take to make this happen would require electricity, think again. Here are some of the frequently asked questions about keeping plants warm inside a mini polytunnel:
How Do I Keep My Mini Polytunnel Warm?
It would help if you prevented the heat from escaping the confines of your mini polytunnel during those cold winter nights. The good news is that you won’t have to break the bank to make this happen. Check out the best ways you can keep your mini polytunnel warm:
Use a horticultural bubble wrap
One way to do this without breaking the bank is to insulate your mini polytunnel using horticultural bubble wrap, which you can easily find at the nearest UK garden centre. Keep in mind that the regular type of bubble wrap won’t be strong enough to withstand ultraviolet rays and provide your plants with the protection they need. It’s important to note that using horticultural bubble wraps with more giant bubbles can insulate your plants better.
Fill glass bottles with water
Another way to do this is to make use of glass bottles and filling them with water. During the day, these water-filled bottles work to absorb the heat from the sun so that they can release it back to the plants during the night.
Keep your mini polytunnel well-ventilated
Since plants release oxygen and moisture after they make use of CO2, they tend to deplete their growing environment from CO2 and encourage the growth of harmful mould, mildew, and fungus. For this reason, it’s best to ensure that your mini polytunnel is well-ventilated. To do this, you’ll need to open your polytunnel vents during the daytime and close them at night.
Raise your plants off the ground
Since the ground becomes cold during winter, you could help keep your plants warm if you keep them off the ground. Try placing a single layer of clay pebbles at the bottom parts of your pots.
Do Mini Polytunnels Need Grow Lights?
When you’re growing plants in a mini polytunnel, keep in mind that nothing could ever compare to natural light. However, you may need some supplemental light if you’re trying to grow your plants in the middle of the winter season or if the placement of your mini polytunnel doesn’t allow your plants to get enough sunlight. Keep in mind that you need to be careful in choosing the type of grow lights you use because getting the wrong ones may negatively affect the growth of your plants.
How Much Light Needed in a Mini Polytunnel?
Generally, mini-polytunnels need about 6 hours of full-spectrum or direct light daily. If this can’t be achieved with natural light, you must consider using supplemental lighting. In case you’re wondering, additional lighting encourages crop growth and yield with the use of multiple and high-intensity artificial lights.
Can You Have a Mini Polytunnel Indoors?
Of course, you can!
If you get yourself a mini polytunnel, you can grow just about anything you want. Contrary to what you may have initially thought, setting up a mini polytunnel in your apartment or rooftop will only require very little care. To create the ideal growing environment for your plants, you can also add temperature and humidity controls and grow lights.
Should I Invest in a Mini Polytunnels?
Yes! Investing in a mini polytunnel is worth it because it offers several benefits for you and your plants. Check out the reasons why you should invest in a mini polytunnel:
You can use it even with limited space
Since mini polytunnels are far from being space-hoggers, they work best for UK gardeners with tight living spaces. What’s more, you can quickly move these enclosed spaces around if you need your plants to get more sun or to force them to shaded spots throughout the day.
Your plants can maximise their growth potential
One of the best things about mini polytunnel gardening is that you’ll be able to create the ideal growing environment for your plants all year round. Unlike traditional outdoor gardening, which causes your plants to experience harsh weather conditions, pests, and destructive animals, a mini polytunnel offers them the protection they need. What’s more, mini polytunnel gardening also allows you to control the temperature and humidity levels inside the enclosed space.
It’s excellent for growing sensitive plants
A mini polytunnel makes it easier for you to grow sensitive plants that have their own set of unique needs. For example, you can keep your orchids well-satiated if you grow them in a mini polytunnel that provides them with enough shade, as well as a well-aerated soil that promotes good drainage. Even when the weather outside isn’t favourable to your orchids, you won’t have to worry about temperature swings.
Thoughts on How to Keep Plants Warm Inside a Mini Polytunnel
After you’ve figured out how to keep plants warm inside a mini polytunnel, it’s about time that you allow yourself to experience the beautiful benefits of mini polytunnel gardening in the UK. Purchase your very own mini polytunnel today!