As the temperature drops at night, you might want to know how to keep your polytunnel warm at night. It’s necessary to keep your plants warm to protect them from frost or freezing temperatures. However, the rising energy expenses and environmental effects may prevent you from adequately heating your polytunnel.
This article will give you several tips on how to keep your polytunnel warm at night without having to spend a fortune.
How Can You Keep Your Polytunnel Warm at Night?
There are several ways to keep your polytunnel warm during the nighttime. Here are some of the simplest yet most effective steps you can take:
Add compost in your polytunnel
Compost is naturally warm, so it makes sense to keep them inside your polytunnel. Good compost can be as hot as 100 degrees F. It can keep your polytunnel warm throughout the night, especially if you regularly turn it to add oxygen. Additionally, having wood mulch as pathways can contribute to the heat.
Use thermal mass objects
If you solely rely on the sunlight to heat your polytunnel, you need thermal mass objects to increase warmth further. Bricks, clay, rocks, concrete slab floor – these objects absorb heat during warm weather and release it when the atmosphere is cold.
Using thermal mass objects is one of the most affordable ways to heat a polytunnel. If you’re planning to make raised beds, use stone or bricks for maximum heat absorption. Water is an excellent thermal mass as well. It’s also a great idea to put black barrels or water around your polytunnel.
Strategically position your heaters
If you have heating systems, make sure to put them in an open spot at a corner of your polytunnel. Keep them away from water for safety purposes. Additionally, angle the heater above the plants that need it most.
Only heat the necessary areas
You don’t have to heat your entire polytunnel if you don’t need to. You can create a mini polytunnel inside your polytunnel. Further insulate your mini polytunnel by placing bubble wrap, your heating system, or horticultural fleece.
Why Should You Buy a Mini Polytunnel?
A mini polytunnel is an excellent investment for anyone interested in polytunnel gardening. It’s a cheaper and more convenient alternative to a regular-sized polytunnel. If you still haven’t decided, here a few reasons why mini polytunnels an excellent investment:
Start early plant growth
With a mini polytunnel, you can start planting even before the cold season begins in your region. You can plant warm-season vegetables in your polytunnel, and as the weather gets warmer, you can transfer your plants into your British garden. In this way, you’ll be able to harvest crops earlier than usual so that you can start your next planting season earlier.
Compact and easy to handle
If you think that all polytunnels are as big as a small house, think again. Polytunnels come in all shapes and sizes. Mini polytunnels, in particular, are compact and convenient for home gardeners in the UK who don’t need a big and spacious greenhouse. A mini polytunnel is more cost-effective, and it gives you the same benefits as a regular polytunnel.
Protect your plants from pests and animals
While there are beneficial insects, there are also bugs that want to eat your leaves and produce. Raccoons, rodents, snails, aphids, and other animals and insects can damage your months of hard work. Additionally, if your plants are out in the open, they’re more prone to catch certain diseases from neighbouring plants. Keeping them inside a polytunnel keeps them safe from pests, animals, and diseases.
Great for UK gardeners with limited space
If you’re interested in growing crops but don’t have enough space, a mini polytunnel is a perfect solution. You can plant almost anything inside a mini polytunnel regardless of the weather outside. Plus, you can place it anywhere – on balconies, patios, decks, and even on your tables. The average size of a mini polytunnel is around six ft., but there are smaller options for those who like a more compact size.
Keep plants safe from bad weather
Heavy rain, hail, blizzard, and high winds make it harder to grow healthy crops. If you live in places with unpredictable weather, you’re better off using a mini polytunnel. As mentioned, you can grow a wide variety of plants even though it’s storming outside. Your plants will remain safe and healthy inside a mini polytunnel.
Ideal for beginners in polytunnel gardening in the UK
Mini polytunnels are an excellent option for those who want to know more about polytunnel gardening. If you’re going to learn the ropes and understand how greenhouses work, investing in a mini polytunnel is an excellent place to start. It gives you the same benefits of a regular polytunnel without the cost and commitment. You can learn about the growing conditions of your plants, know the basics of polytunnel growing, and more.
Final Thoughts on How to Keep Your Polytunnel Warm at Night
Now that you know how to keep your polytunnel warm at night, you’ll be able to raise healthy plants and produce high-quality crops. Just keep these tips in mind, and you can enjoy the benefits of using a polytunnel for planting.