Top Annual Jobs in Your Polytunnel

Are you the proud owner of a polytunnel? The good thing about polytunnels is that they need very little maintenance, but they do require regular checks and a clean-up, of both inside and outside. Of course, if your polytunnel is damaged by bad weather, it is important that carry out the polytunnel repairs as soon as possible.

 

On top of that, there are a few other jobs that you should do every year.

 

Cleaning Your Polytunnel

 

Unless you are planning to do a complete polytunnel refurbishment every couple of years, you need to keep your polytunnel clean. This is especially important when you are growing more exotic crops and plants that require higher temperatures from the penetration of sunlight.

 

Moulds and fungus can take hold much easier when the weather is warm, or if your polytunnel is consistently hot. You can buy specialist cleaning products, but they are often expensive. Experienced polytunnel gardeners know that natural products work the best. You could for instance try an old tried and tested solution of vinegar and water.

 

While you are cleaning your tunnel, keep an eye out for any polytunnel repairs that you may need to do, whilst checking the tension of the cover.

 

Cleaning Plant Pots

 

When you grow plants in pots within your tunnel, you need to clean the outside of the pots every couple of months. Keeping the pots clean will stop the spread of unwanted insects, mould and fungus diseases.

 

Once again, you can use natural methods. Hot soapywater works very well. Most importantly, it is important to dry your plant pots off well after you have cleaned them. You should also check all of the saucer trays that you have, for any encroachment of pests or unwanted creepy crawlies.

 

What About Polytunnel Repairs?

 

Check on a regular basis, to see if you need to make any polytunnel refurbishments, or repairs. Smaller jobs are easy to carry out yourself, but any larger refurbishments or repairs are better carried out by a polytunnel refurbishment service.

 

Replacing part of the structure or the plastic covers is not as easy as it may seem. Instead of attempting it yourself, call your local polytunnel construction service and get a quote.

 

Carrying out checks and repairs are part of having a polytunnel in your garden. They can get damaged by weather including extremely heavy hail. As our weather is ever changing, it is important that you look out for weather or age damage. Repair any holes or tears as soon as possible.

 

Tears and holes in the sheeting of the tunnel can easily increase in size. Strong winds may get in and make the hole larger. Carrying out repairs is particularly important when you keep livestock or when using it for storage.

 

Checking the Soil

 

If you grow plants or crops directly in the soil, you need to check the soil content, to ensure the soil type is correctly matched to thetype of crops you intend to grow. Most of the time, you will find that only plant and vegetable friendly creatures have moved in, but always check.

 

Conclusion

 

When you regularly maintainyour tunnel and carry out the odd polytunnel refurbishment from time to time, your polytunnel will last for many years to come. Many owners state, that polytunnels are easier to look after than greenhouses.