Well yes but probably no cheaper that what you recommendned! France is a very expensive country. There was a time we would go to France to buy everything as it was cheaper, now we go back to the UK for everything.
Have you got an address in the UK you could get it delivered to and then pick it up yourselves when you're over? They do come pretty flat-packed. Or do you drive a Fiat 500?
Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
Well my husband said last night it would be cheaper to drive up and collect it but not at all practical as we are 8hours from Calais. I do think someone has just plucked a figure out of thin air for the delivery price on that!! How can a company advertise international delivery then charge £400 for delivery?
I am looking around at other polytunnels and have found one with a good review but do most polytunnels just have fabric velcro strips to tie around the poles? The reviews suggest they hold up well in windy conditions but looking at the video I cannot see how it can hold and will almost certainly tear the plastic in time if the wind keeps buffeting underneath it?Is it possible to secure another way so there is not so much play between the poles and the plastic sheeting? I know about the trench and that will certainly help but not sure about the attachments around the poles. Maybe this is standard on all polytunnels? thanks.
I think the main thing to look for in a cheap tunnel is if there's a ridge pole - many of them don't - and some diagonal bracing. You need the frame to be fairly - not completely - rigid. The plastic is pulled as taut as possible but preferably not actually fixed to the poles at all. So the frame has to be braced and strong without using the cover as some kind of stabiliser. The two will move differently in the wind and also when it gets hot - the plastic softens, the metal expands - and if you fix one to the other I should think it inevitable that the cover will rip at some point. The ridge pole is essential to stop the whole thing collapsing when it snows or in very heavy rain.
Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
There are cheap clear plastic 'tents' on the market that use guy ropes and a simple lightweight frame. You could probably use on of those as a summer greenhouse if your weather is reasonably benign in summer. Then take it down in the winter and just use small cloches and windowsills for overwintering plants? Those cost £150 or so, so much cheaper.
Last edited: 17 September 2016 16:18:18
Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
Hi Emmalou - I am in France too (dept32) - I have two polys I bought in UK and brought back in the car - delivery prices vary enormously so if you can do it yourself much the best option. We also are exposed to high winds and I have learnt a few painful lessons as a result - all the comments about fixing securely are so true (one poly cover and frame was discovered on far side of pool from its home spot after windy night) but they are still good value and a real boon - replacement covers probably needed quite frequently but we all find ways round these problems. On balance mine have been worth the investment of time and money - just about to erect a greenhouse so will let you know if that is also a wise choice!
Thanks for that. We don't get back to the UK much but will bear that in mind. Did you need a trailer to get it back?mIf we did bring one back we would need to find a supplier in Kent for easy access back to France.
No trailer - just put seat down in back. Bought mine at Wyevale Garden Centre in Tunbridge Wells (on prmotion at the time) we take car to UK twice a year and just load up with as many things as we need!
Posts
Well yes but probably no cheaper that what you recommendned! France is a very expensive country. There was a time we would go to France to buy everything as it was cheaper, now we go back to the UK for everything.
Have you got an address in the UK you could get it delivered to and then pick it up yourselves when you're over? They do come pretty flat-packed. Or do you drive a Fiat 500?
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
Well my husband said last night it would be cheaper to drive up and collect it but not at all practical as we are 8hours from Calais. I do think someone has just plucked a figure out of thin air for the delivery price on that!! How can a company advertise international delivery then charge £400 for delivery?
I am looking around at other polytunnels and have found one with a good review but do most polytunnels just have fabric velcro strips to tie around the poles? The reviews suggest they hold up well in windy conditions but looking at the video I cannot see how it can hold and will almost certainly tear the plastic in time if the wind keeps buffeting underneath it?Is it possible to secure another way so there is not so much play between the poles and the plastic sheeting? I know about the trench and that will certainly help but not sure about the attachments around the poles. Maybe this is standard on all polytunnels? thanks.
I think the main thing to look for in a cheap tunnel is if there's a ridge pole - many of them don't - and some diagonal bracing. You need the frame to be fairly - not completely - rigid. The plastic is pulled as taut as possible but preferably not actually fixed to the poles at all. So the frame has to be braced and strong without using the cover as some kind of stabiliser. The two will move differently in the wind and also when it gets hot - the plastic softens, the metal expands - and if you fix one to the other I should think it inevitable that the cover will rip at some point. The ridge pole is essential to stop the whole thing collapsing when it snows or in very heavy rain.
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
There are cheap clear plastic 'tents' on the market that use guy ropes and a simple lightweight frame. You could probably use on of those as a summer greenhouse if your weather is reasonably benign in summer. Then take it down in the winter and just use small cloches and windowsills for overwintering plants? Those cost £150 or so, so much cheaper.
Last edited: 17 September 2016 16:18:18
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
Hi Emmalou - I am in France too (dept32) - I have two polys I bought in UK and brought back in the car - delivery prices vary enormously so if you can do it yourself much the best option. We also are exposed to high winds and I have learnt a few painful lessons as a result - all the comments about fixing securely are so true (one poly cover and frame was discovered on far side of pool from its home spot after windy night) but they are still good value and a real boon - replacement covers probably needed quite frequently but we all find ways round these problems. On balance mine have been worth the investment of time and money - just about to erect a greenhouse so will let you know if that is also a wise choice!
Thanks for that. We don't get back to the UK much but will bear that in mind. Did you need a trailer to get it back?mIf we did bring one back we would need to find a supplier in Kent for easy access back to France.
No trailer - just put seat down in back. Bought mine at Wyevale Garden Centre in Tunbridge Wells (on prmotion at the time) we take car to UK twice a year and just load up with as many things as we need!