What Can Be Grown in Garden or Domestic Polytunnels?

Domestic polytunnels and the various polytunnel coverings that can be used, allow enthusiastic gardeners and keen growers, to provide ideal opportunities to decide on a wide range of crops or plant preferences, that fulfil their fresh and flavourful produce needs, right at your green fingertips. Some popular options may include:

Potential Crops

• Chillies, Garlic, Onions, and Peppers:

Heat-loving crops thrive in warm, sheltered environments, that different polytunnel coverings provide to create ideal growing environments.

• Leafy Greens and Salads:

Spinach, radishes, lettuce, and kale grow well in controlled conditions, even in colder months when protected within a housing.

• Root Vegetables:

Potatoes, carrots, radishes, and beetroot are easy to grow and will flourish under the polytunnel’s covering kept warm and protected in perfect soil and watering conditions.

Fruits

• Strawberries:

These are a favourite for many growers and allow for many ways to be grown effectively, strawberries ripen early and produce sweet, healthy and juicy harvests in domestic polytunnels of all sizes.

• Citrus Fruits: 

Care and planning in the types of polytunnel coverings required means you can nurture and produce lemon or orange trees in pots inside the tunnel.

• Raspberries and Blueberries: 

These berries thrive in the polytunnel’s sheltered conditions, extending their growing season.

Flowers and Herbs

• Flowers and Plants: 

Your size of garden may be relevant to what home-grown blooms and plants you like such as petunias, dahlias, geraniums, and marigolds.

• Spices and Herbs: 

Basil, parsley, coriander, and mint grow abundantly in a controlled environment.

Polytunnels Are Surrounded By Different Locational  Environments

Polytunnel covers shield crops and plants from harsh UK weather, including heavy rain, snow, frost, and strong winds. The type of covering creates a barrier against the elements, ensuring consistent growing conditions regardless of external elements and fluctuations.

Creating Warmth and Extended Growing Seasons

The quality of the transparent polytunnel coverings allows appropriate levels of UV rays to enter and be dispersed, trapping sunlight and creating a warm microenvironment that helps protect and extend the growing and harvesting season. Gardeners can plant in early spring and continue producing and harvesting well into autumn and even the winter, for certain crops.

Pest Control

Polytunnel coverings act as a physical and protective barrier, safeguarding crops or plants to minimise the risk of diseases and shielding from common garden pests like blackflies, slugs, snails, rabbits, and birds. While allowing for proper ventilation and maintenance protocols.

Ease of Installation and Construction

One of the installation and construction advantages of a small polytunnel is how easy it is to set up. Most domestic polytunnels are designed for straightforward assembly and construction within a day.

• Simple Design: 

Small to medium-sized frames made out of materials like galvanised steel or aluminium are much easier to handle and assemble on an individual-build basis.

• Equipment:

A standard polytunnel kit includes all the necessary fittings and components, such as the frame, polythene covering, and fixings.

• Clear Instructions: 

Manufacturers of domestic polytunnels provide step-by-step instructions and guides, for those of us who are new to these types of build.

Planning Your Crop Selection and Ground Preparation

• Rotation:

Plan your crops in rotation to prevent soil depletion and reduce the risk of pest infestation and diseases.

• Companion Planting: 

Think about growing crops that support each other's resistance, such as planting marigolds near vegetables to deter pests.

• Soil Quality:

Soil testing and enrichment should be done to create a nutrient-rich growing medium to support quality cultivation.

• Weed and Debris Removal: 

Clear the area of debris and weeds or anything that could snag or pierce the cover, helping to minimise repairs and competition for nutrients and space.

• Raised Beds or Direct Planting:

Decide whether to use raised beds for better drainage or plant directly into the ground, depending on your crops and soil type.

Ventilation, Irrigation, and Suitable Polytunnel Coverings

Plan your planting layout, the covering type, required ventilation, and an efficient watering system if needed, look at a drip irrigation system or use a watering can if a small housing to save costs and ensure crops or plants receive adequate moisture levels, without overwatering.

The Enjoyment of Gardening and Producing is Enhanced by Polytunnels

Using either garden or domestic polytunnels with the appropriate type of polytunnel coverings, you can select from a wide range of choices and all offer more than just practical benefits. Watching your efforts concerning the crops or plants to flourish in, knowing you’ve created a sustainable and productive space is immensely rewarding and has many health benefits.

Whether wanting to grow vegetables to feed the family or to sell, possibly cultivating flowers to beautify your own surroundings or individual needs, the ability to experiment with exotic plants grown in small to large sizes of domestic polytunnels, can transform your gardening wish list and progress your cultivation experiences. The ease of uncomplicated polytunnel coverings with careful placement and fitting, combined with thoughtful planning and preparation, ensures successful cultivation.