Harvesting plants from the polytunnel is a trend, and when to start, portable polytunnel planting is a knowledge to know about a technique that has produced the best crops for many farmers worldwide.
Among the best crops in the polytunnel are carrots, green onions, asparagus, spinach, eggplants, turnips, kale, zucchini, microgreens, okra, salad greens, and more.
What Is Portable Polytunnel Planting?
The portable polytunnel where you can grow more food. The capability of moving the polytunnel from one area to the next will make the seasonal transition, for instance, from summer to winter, and vice-versa will enable the crops to grow better.
The ability to move a polytunnel is ideal for summer plants and crops such as basil, tomatoes, and peppers, and not just this, but it can also protect them from autumn frosts to keep them producing longer. Portable polytunnels are movable, which is great for customisation so that you can have fun with them as well during the winter.
Are Portable Polytunnels Any Good?
Yes, portable polytunnels are fantastic options to have, especially for crops that grow only for particular seasons. With these kinds of polytunnels, you get the benefits of standard polytunnel harvesting. Still, you make things better, such as pest management and an increase in the number of crops sheltered in just one polytunnel, offering better protection.
Do you need to spend a lot to provide yourself with the portable type? No, not at all, since you only have to modify the construction. Among the features to look for are the standard pipe-frame, plastic-covered foundation, and those that are firmly attached to the ground and detach it again.
Is It Cheaper To Build Or Buy A Polytunnel?
It will be from the decision of the polytunnel owner with regards to building or purchasing their polytunnel. Both will have the costs, for sure. Many people believe that constructing the polytunnel at lower prices than buying their kit may save them money, but not necessarily.
Purchase, for instance, the standard polytunnel without any modifications. You can have this at a lower price than what it might cost you when building the polytunnel from all the materials you have.
Here, you will get a glimpse of the actual cost so you can learn about budgeting. As mentioned above that the cost of building polytunnels is from £5,000 to £26,000, but the average price can be from £13,000 to £14,000. Homeowners who want to have the polytunnel on their own may shell out money as little as £3,500 or less depending on the materials they prefer.
What Can You Grow In A Polytunnel For Beginners?
Previously, you have learned about the best crops that can be grown in polytunnels. These structures are your best choices for these crops, especially those that do not grow every season. Thepolytunnelmay has different variants, such as mini-polytunnels and commercial polytunnels.
For instance, the smaller and cheaper variants will allow the UK gardener to extend the growing season beyond the regular time frames. It will likewise protect the seedlings when the temperature changes or drops below zero overnight. These polytunnels can conserve the heat, give better hydration to the soil, and offer protection for the garden in the UK against pets and animals.
Furthermore, they also temper weeds in the UK garden. Without further ado, here are the crops to grow for beginners.
Asparagus
Asparagus are plants that dislike competition, so adjustments must be in place as the gardeners in the UK. It is necessary to remove the weeds and grasses in the area and avoid planting crops in the vicinity. In this blog, we have presented insights on cultivating your asparagus.
The method to plant asparagus is to allot the trench. It must be 14 inches under as you supplement the soil with the organic matter within your channel. It is advisable to set this to about 12 inches individually for the crowns, with your shoots aiming up.
Avoid picking on everything. Once you have chopped everything, death may occur the crowns. Make sure that you leave spears, preferably the tiniest kinds.
Tomatoes
These tomatoes in your UK area are great to have, especially that these are also perfect options for companion planting. This crop offers health benefits, including aiding in heart diseases and cancer. They are abundant in Vitamin C, potassium, Vitamin K, and folate.
Turnips
Growing best in colder weather environments, turnips in the polytunnel look great, mainly when guided on the right way to plant the crop. First, it is advisable to prepare a compost blend before your sowing. These turnip seeds may be scattered into your soil.
Remember that they may not transplant well, so be sure to prepare a sunny area for these crops. They are also not requiring attention, but regular moisture in the soil is needed.
Salad Greens
Imagine your dish with salad greens fresh from your backyard. Compared with ordering them from outside or from restaurants, this sounds like a fantastic idea. They also grow well in the polytunnel.
To grow these greens for your salad, believe it or not, is incredibly easy. If you want to harvest these beet leaves, romaine, or lettuce, you may order at least eight or ten various seeds. Begin with types that grow in cold soil with moderately low light requirements. Once the summer sets in, sow the heat-tolerant variants.
How Do I Keep My Small Polytunnel Warm At Night?
A technique you will be having to learn when it comes to keeping the polytunnel warm at night or during the winter involves specific steps. These include insulating the polytunnel with the bubble wrap, using heats, using thermostats, circulating air, ventilating the polytunnel, and raising plants off the ground.
Raising plants off the ground involves ways to do this right, such as turning trays upside down and placing pots. You can have a layer of clay pebbles right below the containers or at the bottom. Here, you can see your plants elevated with the help of the system.
Conclusion
Growing plants in your polytunnel take investments in time and resources. There are polytunnels famous for berries, herbs, and vegetables. Among the crops include wild berries, strawberries, potatoes, herbs, cauliflowers, beets, radish, cabbage, onions, and more. When you realise you have insufficient space, choose the commercial polytunnel.