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We need to talk about....Polytunnels

danielhall.eventsh6h5Te3fdanielhall.eventsh6h5Te3f Posts: 3
in Problem solving
Hi all, 

A first time post from me. I hate to barge in with negativity but I am in year 7 of my allotment journey and I am on polytunnel number 5. At £100 initial outlay and then subsequent £40 - £70 each replacement I come with a side order of glum. 

I just dont understand why replacement covers (Gardman) are merely £10 less than a replacement polytunnel with their frames. I'm not in this to buy goods unnecessarily so I refuse to buy products I dont need. 

I have tried many ways to keep my cover lasting but each winter or brisk gale and it perishes, and I end up back in the pocket to replace. 

Can anyone recommend a good alternative, the polythene material has been investigated but I am apprehensive with little experience here. 

Why are these things so closely priced? Is there a replacement cover that isnt over £50. 

best wishes, 

Wilderness Kid 
Shouts out to the sparrows and the pine martins. 

Posts

  • debs64debs64 Posts: 5,184
    Where do you live? My poly tunnel is now in its 4th year and the cover is fine apart from one zip broken which isn’t a major issue. It was a cheapest one and I don’t take any particular care of it? 
  • danielhall.eventsh6h5Te3fdanielhall.eventsh6h5Te3f Posts: 3
    I'm in Norwich - hardly the epicentre of hurricane winds. It just seems to give up the ghost all too easily. I take it down each November and wrap it away, but it always comes to some harm in the late months. 

    I wish the price points were more appropriate. 
    Shouts out to the sparrows and the pine martins. 
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Good DIY stores sell polythene sheeting on rolls and you buy it by the metre.   Maybe that would fix your problem tho I don't understand why yours seems so fragile.

    We bought an 8m x 4m polytunnel when we moved here just over 4 years ago and it's fine apart from one tear in the plastic at the base of the main door.  We put a green mesh sun filter cover on from April/May to September/October and both have withstood Atlantic gales and storms and Beasts from the East.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • debs64debs64 Posts: 5,184
    I bought mine February 2018 for £68. Never take it down it stays on the allotment all winds and weathers. 

  • danielhall.eventsh6h5Te3fdanielhall.eventsh6h5Te3f Posts: 3
    Hmmm. Something to think about then. Maybe just my rotten luck. I've had zips break, ties snap off and the actual cover just disintegrates after a heavy downpour. Its a curse. 
    Shouts out to the sparrows and the pine martins. 
  • debs64debs64 Posts: 5,184
    Mine was a “ super worth” 4m by 2m and apart from a broken zip it’s fine. I live just outside Birmingham. Just checked Amazon it’s not available at present 
  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    Ours has lasted for 17 years.
    Yes it is showing its age but we can still grow many things inside and have a great harvest....strawberry, tomatoes, cucumber, peppers, chilles, aubergine, pak choi, khoi rabi, carrots and huge different salad crops.
    Still harvesting the carrots and salads but we will need next year to put a new cover on.
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