After framework, the next most important consideration is the quality of the plastic cover – this is the very first thing that goes or gets ripped, always. In fact, one I had deliverd had a rip by the zip – if I am honest, overall I was happy so I didn’t return it: A polytunnel I bought and tested just recently had a rip in the seam from new!

The plastic mesh cover features three roll-up doors, allowing you to access the crops within the tunnel, whilst also allowing you to zip them down and secure them closed when you are not tending to your crops, meaning maximum protection for your plants and vegetation.This article will be focussing on using your polytunnel for crop growth, so if that sounds like your kind of thing, then stay tuned. Before jumping straight into the range of polytunnels available to the buyer on the UK market, it is first important to know exactly what you should be looking for in your search for a brand new polytunnel. What you need to known when buying a polytunnel Our final product is the VOUNOT polytunnel greenhouse, another absolute beast of a polytunnel which is incredibly similar to the huge VonHaus polytunnel described above.

Hot spot tape is going to really reduce tears like this on the corners of the frames in particular that you can see on the Garden Point– don’t panic though it’s far from over. This one is old and has lasted very very well indeed. I couldn’t recommend it to people enough at the price… Garden Point Green Polytunnel needs hot spot tape These handy tips are more than enough to see you through a simply install but a further bonus is to have a cordless drill and impact driver with the correct size hexagonal bit for the nut – normally 8-12mm that I’ve seen in my experience assembling these kits.So how is this beast constructed? Good question. The frame comes in four huge hoops with one swinging door at the front of the tunnel. The frame is made from a rust-resistant tubular steel, powder coated to enhance the frame’s overall strength and extend its lifespan. Unlike the other polytunnels we have looked at so far in this review, the VonHaus polytunnel frame is connected by screws and bolts and not plastic attachments. This feature works hard to reassure me of the sturdiness of the polytunnel, however it does of course make constructing the product that little bit harder. Despite saying this, with all of the assembly parts included, in addition to clear instructions to help the user, the assembly of this product is surprisingly easier than you would expect – plus once you’re done assembling the tent you will have a structure the size of a shed, so the assembly process is bound to be a little longer than that of VonHaus’ smaller counterpart polytunnel. STRESS RELIEVED - Our square 2.1m x 175mm and our 2.4m x 150/175mm timber bollards are stress relieved by having a saw cut in the middle of one side allowing the timber to move as it dries out or swells according to the weather, thus avoiding unsightly splits.

Another super clever and user-friendly feature of this product is the hot tape coverings on the metal frame. The hot tape essentially works by preventing the steel frame from heating up too much in hot and sunny weather, essentially protecting the plastic cover from melting or seriously deteriorating in hot weather. Very clever, VonHaus. Bolts are normally 8 to 12mm and an impact driver makes this a breeze as well as can really secure the bolts Weigh the thing down big – you’ve seen above what happens when you don’t – ensure you have a good amount of soil ready to load up the sides – or sandbags Like the VonHaus polytunnel, the frame is constructed from four galvanised steel hoops, which support a strong, reinforced plastic cover. One key difference between the VonHaus polytunnel and the VOUNOT polytunnel is the door. Where VonHaus have included a swinging door, fit with a metal frame, VOUNOT keep it simple with a roll-up door which is secured shut with a zip. I do think that the VonHaus swinging door is a nice feature, however it is somewhat pointless, and given the extra effort the door takes in assembly, as well as the premium in price which you pay for this extra, I think VOUNOT have got the right idea in keeping things nice and simple with a roll-up plastic door. The only thing it’s realistically missing but I can accept at this price point is a pivot door like the FeelGoodUK PRO– that would have elevated this unit a long long way and secured top spot – with the new range next year I’ll be paying close attention but for now, this is my top spot. Pros:

Agricultural Fencing

If you have a wooden base then screw it to the ground using long planks of wood around the edges. Roll the canvas in the wood, this will create loads of strength, pull the cover taunt reducing the damage on poles in combination with hot spot tape – what’s that you’re wondering? Coming next: Hot-spot tape The framework is a pretty sensible 1 inch bit of steel tubing. Yeah it’s enough, no it’s not the most solid but here we are discussing budget – not the absolute best. And no, if you bang a load of earth, or bags of dirt or sand filled over the edges this won’t go anywhere. My preference would be level ground but you can build up the sides to keep it level if necessary but not essential because this is a roll up door and you won’t catch it like some of the models that do have a pivot door – however much easier that are to use like the Given this is 90cm odd high you’ve got loads of options – firstly you can get in and work no problem, secondly and also very favourable is the possibility of raised planters. You can grow your veg inside these without the worry of invasion – or at least far less! The big plus is it’ll trap the moisture so you’ll end up watering less too. From years of experience though I prefer to use 22mm pipe cover. This can be installed after you have the cover on – a massive advantage over hot spot tape if you are doing this retrospectively: Using pipe cover is far more effective than hot spot tape as it can be done retrospectively and is cheap too Assembly and Ease of Use

To add extra support the corners have got a lower cross brace, this is definitely needed on such a large area – the metal rungs or hoops if you prefer are broken into one metre centres and you’ve got the standard screw type bolts that will keep it all taunt no problem – this is pretty much ideal as allows 6 window slots all the way along. The 2.5m is pop riveted together which makes life all the simpler and is a no tool assembly. While there’s plenty of options available across our range, we also understand that every job is different. Which is why we also offer the opportunity to customise the size of your tube with our free unlimited cutting service. This applies whether you need your galvanised tube cut to several different lengths using our CNC machine, or you need a full bundle cut to a specific length using our bundle saw. Talk to the go-to team And what with the laws about glazing down the allotment now, these are in hot demand seeing as they cost much less money than a greenhouse with polycarbonate glazing. Polytunnel – an allotment necessity If you want you can re-stitch that, I just don’t think the aesthetics is anything to worry about at all and so duct tape is the solution. The real solution after that though is hot spot tape. What is hot spot tape? Basically it’s a foam tape that reduces the stress between the metal pole and canvas. The softer edge means when the window blows it’s much less likely to become a problem with damaged corners – and that’s where it always starts. You’ve got your 6 roll up vents, they are definitely needed along with opening the door on the hottest Summer days, overall this is a real bargain. Pros:Make sure you don’t do the frame sides up tight, slide the canvas over the hoops first so there’s more play – this is going to almost certainly save you from damaging the cover as a result of it being too tight to pull over. It measures a whopping 2 metres in height, 3 metres in length and 2 metres in width, making it a monster of a garden accessory, big enough to house a jungle of plants. Whilst the polytunnel is certainly big from the outside, it is the inside space which is of a higher importance, something you certainly won’t have to worry about with the VonHaus polytunnel which has an impressive floor size of 6 metres squared. Wow. Unfortunately, it is pretty difficult (scratch that – impossible) to have a polytunnel delivered to your house fully constructed and ready to go. This means that self-assembly is required with a polytunnel, but I know how it is – life is busy and not everyone has hours to spare to put their brand spanking new polytunnel together. Likewise, not all of us are blessed with DIY skills, so ideally your new polytunnel will be fairly easy to put together. However, if you buy the BIRCHTREE as I have tested then they all rivet together without the need for any drills at all! They just snap together: BIRCHTREE Polytunnel just snaps together A polytunnel is essentially a long grow tent, typically made from a steel frame with a polythene cover suspended over the top of the frame. They basically take the place of the common greenhouse, but due to the materials the structure is made from, polytunnels tend to be cheaper and easier to maintain and transport. Like a greenhouse, the whole point of a polytunnel is to aid crop growth, which is essentially achieved by extending your crops’ growing season by providing a warm and toasty environment for your crops to prosper in.