Since I moved to my new half-acre homestead in Wales I have looked forward to August with great enthusiasm because it means the arrival of my polytunnel.
In my previous garden, I had a 12 x 40ft polytunnel for 10 years or so and absolutely loved how it meant I could grow so much more, especially warmth-loving summer crops. It has been strange only growing outdoor varieties of tomatoes, cucumbers, and aubergines this year, but I am looking forwards and planning what I will grow once this new polytunnel is up.
When I was looking for a new home, space for a polytunnel at least the size of my previous one was crucial. I’d pace the gardens, imagining where a tunnel would go – I wonder what the estate agents thought of me! Here at Ael Y Bryn, the orchard had enough space, next to Dai’s sheep field.
PREPARATION AND PLANNING
A polytunnel is a long-term decision and investment and it is worthwhile considering all of your requirements carefully. Always buy the largest you can afford (and legally fit in your garden). The first thing to do is find out your local planning rules. These vary from county to county. There are regulations about distances from roads, neighbouring boundaries, and the height of the structure.
You may need planning permission. Usually, any polytunnel over 14ft wide is considered a commercial structure and requires planning permission, whereas one 14ft or less is a domestic tunnel and does not. A phone call to your local planning office is usually helpful in this respect.
Denne historien er fra August 2022-utgaven av Kitchen Garden.
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Denne historien er fra August 2022-utgaven av Kitchen Garden.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
SEPTEMBER SPECIALS
This month, with sweetcorn, figs and blackberries on the menu, Anna Cairns Pettigrew is not only serving up something sweet and something savoury, but all things scrumptious
FLAVOURSOME FRUIT AUTUMN RASPBERRIES
September - is it late summer or the start of autumn? David Patch ponders the question and says whatever the season, it's time to harvest autumn raspberries
SOW GREEN THIS AUTUMN
Covering the soil with a green manure in winter offers many benefits and this is a good time to sow hardy types, says KG editor Steve Ott
A HISTORICAL HAVEN OF FRUIT AND FLOWERS
KG's Martin Fish takes time out from his own plot to visit a walled garden in Lincolnshire which has been home to the same family for more than 400 years
RESTORING THE BALANCE
The phrase regenerative gardening is often heard in gardening circles, but what is it? Can it help you to grow better veg? Ecologist Becky Searle thinks so, and tells us why
WASTE NOT, WANT NOT
Garden Organic's Anton Rosenfeld shares his expertise on using compost made from green bin collections with handy tips on getting the right consistency and quality
Celebrating Organic September!
In this special section we bring you four great features aimed at improving your crops and allowing nature to thrive
SEEING RED
Do your tomatoes have a habit of remaining stubbornly green? Or perhaps you're lucky to enjoy lots of lovely fruits - just all at once. Either way, Benedict Vanheems is here with some top tips to ripen and process the nation's favourite summer staple
NEW KIDS ON THE BROCCOLI!
Rob Smith is talking broccoli this month with a review of the different types available and suggestions for some exciting new varieties to try
A NEW kitchen garden
Martin Fish is getting down to plenty of picking and planting on the garden veg plot, while Jill is rustling up something pepper-licking good!
