poly-tunnel, greenhouse or willow tunnel

[Shirley]

I want to grow veggies next season... I know that we will need some form of shelter from the strong and cold winds and the snow/frost/rain.... but I'm not sure which would be the most suitable.

Poly tunnel is cheaper than a greenhouse - but... it's the poly bit that I'm having trouble with.....

Greenhouse... well it's the glass that I'm struggling with here - I have a young toddler who wants to kick a rugby ball about.

Willow.... I'm expecting 350 native trees including several willows that I would like to create a living hedge from.. I also want to have some willow to make baskets with... and my DP has suggested growing it for fuel. How much would I need to create a tunnel... ie... what would be the required planting distance... and would this provide enough shelter for growing plants or not?

It's late.. I hope I've made sense with my post.

Shirlz xx

[Millymollymandy]

How about a greenhouse with polycarbonate instead of glass? It's more insulating than glass too.

Willow isn't supposed to be very good for burning from what I've read.

And what is a DP? Dearest Partner?

[wulf]

The problem with creating a tunnel out of live willow is that you won't be able to move it when you need access. I used some polytunnels this year and I'm not entirely convinced by them, partly because even they are a pain to move for watering / slug hunting, and a fixed tunnel (sucking nutrients from either side of your growing plants!) would be even worse.

Wulf

[ina]

The problem with willows is that they also provide shade... Depending on your main wind direction, a hedge might be enough shelter for some types of veg. Here the wind is often from the south - which is unfortunately also the main sun direction! A polytunnel would probably still be the only really useful shelter for tomatoes, cucumbers and the like. Or a glasshouse with an iron mesh around it to keep the football at bay! That would be rather expensive, though. Sometimes people give these things away for free, if you can dismantle them yourself.

I am starting with a coldframe next spring. My friend (who's husband has a useful magpie habit) provides a couple of old windows for the top, and I'm sure I'll find some bits of wood for the frame on the farm, broken feed troughs and the like.

Ina

[Shirley]

winds definitely from the north over last day Ina lol...

Looking on freecycle for greenhouses - have you come across them Ina? There is an Aberdeen group.

You must come over and visit sometime.

~shirlz~

[ina]

I'd love to come and see you and your place! After my holiday, though - I've been brave enough to book a week on Shetland. Not cold and windy enough here. After that I'll probably appreciate the "mild" climate in Aberdeenshire more. Can only hope the ferry goes when it is supposed to!

Yes, the last few days the wind was from the north. But due to the way we are situated in the glen, we often have southerly winds. Therefore, very sensibly no southfacing windows, either.

I've heard of freecycle, but haven't had any contact yet. Might be an idea for my friend to get rid of some of her husbands collection usefully, too. He goes to sales and buys, and she goes carbooting and tries to get rid of the stuff again. And we often barter amongst each other - services, too. (Chop my tree down and I cook you dinner etc.) But a larger group would give better opportunities.

Ina

[sparticuss]

How about a greenhouse with polycarbonate instead of glass? It's more insulating than glass too.

Willow isn't supposed to be very good for burning from what I've read.

And what is a DP? Dearest Partner?

Does it Molly.???

I always understood that glass trapped the heatof the sun beter. Which is why it's stil used in solar hot water panels.

Anybody else with any technical knowledge???

[Millymollymandy]

I'm talking about winter and keeping heat in, and at night time, especially if you have a heated greenhouse. I think polycarbonate shades better from the sun in summer too. But as I've only had a polyc. greenhouse and not a glass one I am no expert on these matters!

[Shirley]

Thanks for all your answers on this one - I've decided against the willow tunnel and I think that the cheapest option will be the polytunnel - at least for the short term. Not very pretty tho are they!

I'm going to be creating a fedge from the willow anyway and that will likely keep me busy enough.

MMM - DP is indeed dear partner.

[Tigerhair]

I bought a second hand greenhouse through the local paper (a couple of panes were broken, but that was easily remedied), my 2-y-o will be the descructive phase this year but he has his own fenced off area of garden and the greenhouses (I was given another large lean-to also (how lucky am I!?) are fenced off too (lots of local free pallet wood... Then comes the rules (no footie in this area) and then just cope with the possible accidents.

They are invaluable. Good luck with whatever you choose.

[Shirley]

I bought a second hand greenhouse through the local paper.

Hmmm... my ex is just buying a house fairly locally... it has two greenhouses and I don't think he will use either... so i've asked him to recycle at least one in my direction

[Steve Hanson]

Anyone interested might try an alternative a Solar Tunnel it's prettier, will last longer, is easier to erect, and you can move it.

http://www.solartunnels.co.uk/

[ina]

Looks very nice! But I bet it's not as cheap as a free greenhouse...
Once they've been around a bit they might become available secondhand.

Ina

[hedgewizard]

they've been around a fair bit I'm afraid, and hold their value very well as secondhand. Sorry. You think they're expensive? Try a Keder House... they don't even give you a price list! About five times as much as a polytunnel. I asked.

Polytunnels can have green shade netting thrown over them after covering, and dug into a shallower trench for easy removal. And if anyone objects, give them some strawberries

[hedgewizard]

If anyone's interested, I came across a novel design at a local organic farm that combines the keyhole bed concept with some shelter from the worst of the elements. Using galvanised wire arches linked at the top, with old hose over them to reduce wear, and some netting spread over a 270 degree arc - you get a sheltered microclimate inside the dome and surprisingly good protection for tender crops.