Want to know how to organise a small polytunnel? A well-organised polytunnel provides a healthy and productive environment for your plants. You’ll be able to successfully grow plants and get a head start on the growing season.
How Can You Organise a Mini Polytunnel?
Thanks to its compact size, it’s easier to organise a mini polytunnel than a regular-sized one. With that said, here are a few tips on how to manage a small polytunnel:
Know the types of plants you want to grow
Firstly, you need to know two things – the type of plants you want to grow and how many. These plants should be proportional to the height and width of your polytunnel.
For example, you can use a smaller polytunnel for a few herbs and potted plants. For greens, you may need a larger space for planting and growth. Taller plants like tomatoes need plenty of room to grow. Be sure to consider these factors before planting and organising.
Label your plants
You can label your plants using plant markers found in your local UK garden centre. If you prefer a cheaper alternative, you can make your plant markers using everyday materials like wooden spoons, clothespins, and even broken flowerpot pieces.
You can also colour-code your plants based on needs for sun and water, where one should place them, or if they’re edible or nonedible.
Shelves and arrangement
Having multilevel and removable shelves can help maximise the space inside your mini polytunnel. If you often move your polytunnel around, aluminium or light metal shelves is a better option. While making a polytunnel shelving, please ensure to experiment a bit with your polytunnel to know how to utilise your space.
Add wall hooks and hangers
You can stick hoops and hooks on your walls and use those to hang gardening equipment, gloves, and spray bottles to maximise your space.
Hanging organisers are available in varying sizes, and you can place them on your polytunnel’s ceiling and doors. For tools, you can turn them on wooden pallets and screw them on your wall.
Declutter your polytunnel frequently
Keep your polytunnel free from clutter by throwing out unused pots and trays. Check the expiry dates of the products and remove the expired products. For the tools, you use those that serve more than one purpose rather than owning several tools.
Use ceiling space
If your ceiling is durable enough, you can install rods and frames to hang your plants. Using large pegs for plastic polytunnels, you can hang wires and clip your seek packets, washcloths, fluorescent LEDs, and other materials.
Why is a Mini Polytunnel the Better Option for UK Gardeners?
Mini polytunnels are an excellent option for gardeners in the UK, and here are several reasons why:
They come in different sizes
Not all polytunnels are large and spacious. Most of them come in different shapes and sizes. The best polytunnel type depends on your needs, but a mini polytunnel is proven more than enough for homeowners and gardeners in the United Kingdom.
Protect your plants from unwanted visitors
Many insects and critters want to munch on your plants, from snails, rodents, caterpillars to aphids and beetles. Placing them inside a polytunnel keeps your plants safe from unwanted visitors and even diseases that can infect your plants.
Keep your plants safe from erratic weather conditions
Excessive heat, low temperatures, and heavy rain can damage your crops. If you don’t protect your plants, you’ll lose months of hard work in a day. Keeping your plants in a polytunnel keeps them safe from unpredictable climates. You wouldn’t have to worry about plant damage because of the heat and cold.
It’s best for UK gardeners with limited spaces
If you want to grow your crops, but you only have limited space, a mini polytunnel is a perfect solution. The standard size of a mini polytunnel is around 6 feet tall, but there are smaller sizes if this is too big for you. You can place your mini polytunnel on balconies, decks, backyards, and even your tables and windowsills. Even though mini polytunnels are small, it functions just like a regular-sized polytunnel.
It’s best for UK beginners in polytunnel gardening
If you want to know more about polytunnel gardening, the best way to learn the ropes is by getting a mini polytunnel. It’s cost-effective, convenient, and it works just like a large polytunnel. You’ll be able to know how to grow plants in a polytunnel based on the ideal growing conditions of your plants. Once you know about polytunnel gardening, you can expand to a more massive polytunnel if needed.
Extend your growing season
With a polytunnel, you don’t have to wait until the last frost passes – you can start planting even before the cold season begins. After the weather gets warmer, you can transfer your plants into your UK garden. Growing early lets you enjoy an earlier harvest.
Final Thoughts on How to Organise a Small Polytunnel
By following the steps mentioned above, you’ll know how to organise a small polytunnel. You don’t need a large polytunnel to plant your favourite crops. The trick is to maximise your space and learn how to organise your polytunnel effectively.