Tips on How to Prevent Overheating in Polytunnels

When you have set up your first polytunnel, and discovered that you are enjoying the new hobby, you should after several years, start thinking about polytunnel refurbishment.

 

Keeping on top of polytunnel repairs and maintenance are all very important, as is keeping your polytunnel clean and regular maintenance will offer you tunnel longevity.

As our climate is changing, keeping on top of your “tunnel climate” is important. In recent years, heat waves have become more intense and many polytunnel enthusiasts are finding that growing certain fruits and vegetables present a particular challenge.

 

If your polytunnel heats up too much, it is harder to keep it clean and keep it bug free. Airflow in a polytunnel is just as important as it is in a greenhouse. To increase airflow, it is a good idea to review the easiest fixes before you embark on a complete polytunnel refurbishment.

 

How to Vent a Polytunnel?

 

There are a couple of different ways to vent a polytunnel. Perhaps the best option is to install side vents when you carry out polytunnel repairs.

 

Side vents are one of the more effective ways of venting a polytunnel. They are easy to reach and you can better control the airflow.

 

You can have all of your side vents open at once or you can choose to open them individually when you want to cool a particular part of the tunnel.

 

Can I Install Shading in a Polytunnel?

 

Something else you should consider when you carry out your polytunnel refurbishment is to install netting for shading.

 

In polytunnel circles, this kind of protection from sun and heat is often cloth, such as (horticultural fleece). Your polytunnel specialist can give you advice on what kind of polytunnel cloth is right for your tunnel growing needs.

 

What you need to bear in mind is what you are going to grow in your tunnel. For instance if you specialise in growing ferns, you will need a cloth that filters light in a certain way. Ferns are very particular when it comes to light. If you grow mushrooms, you will need a different coloured cloth that helps to keep harmful UV rays out of your tunnel.

 

How Do I Deal With Humidity in a Polytunnel?

 

Humidity is a cause for concern in both greenhouses and polytunnels. If the humidity level in your polytunnel is too high, you may end up with harmful moulds that can affect your crop and other plants.

 

Before you consider a polytunnel refurbishment project, it is a good idea to monitor humidity levels. Are they affected by the climate outside of the polytunnel or are the levels affected by what you grow in your tunnel?

 

You will quickly be able to tell when you compare outside temperatures to the humidity level inside your polytunnel. If the humidity level rises as the temperature outside goes up, your humidity problem is related to the outside temperature. When the humidity level is more or less constantly high, it means your crops and plants produce what is often called “polytunnel climate.” In that case, you need to be able to provide your crop and plants with constant ventilation and regulated watering.

 

Your local polytunnel refurbishment and polytunnel repairs specialist can give you the best advice. All you have to do is to get in touch and they will guide you in the right direction.