How does your garden grow… Better in a Premier Polytunnel!

Polytunnels were introduced to British farming following their success in Spain where farmers used temporary polythene tunnels to protect their winter salad crops.

Designed as a simple and cost effective replacement for glasshouses, polytunnels have quickly become the structure of choice for everyone from the hobby gardener to the commercial grower. It is not uncommon to spot an abundance of polytunnels wherever you travel throughout the world today.

There is nothing more tranquil than listening to the rain clatter down on your polytunnel while you relax and tend your plants inside, and many families are beginning to work and play together in their garden tunnels and enjoying the advantages of a healthy, self-sufficient lifestyle.

But there are many other benefits of these distinctive structures….

• All year round growing – A polytunnel can bring a Mediterranean or even Tropical climate to your UK garden.
• A polytunnel puts you in control of nature – Weather, watering, and ventilation are all under your control.
• A polytunnel can be completely ‘sealed’, therefore reducing draughts, pests, diseases, and insect infestations.
• A polytunnel produces increased yields and all organic crops can thrive under cover.
• Growing fruit in a polytunnel can extend the season from May to mid-Autumn.
• Amateur gardeners can produce a range of plants which would not normally flourish in the UK.
• Commercial growers can guarantee quality goods at competitive prices in a market that demands high standards.
• Polytunnels can be used as animal housing, storage units, and swimming pool covers.

In a ‘Premier’ Polytunnel spring begins earlier and winter is kept outdoors!

With more than 25-years experience in the horticultural industry, Premier Polytunnels have used their expertise to bring you a stronger, more reliable, top quality polytunnel.

For details, please visit www.premierpolytunnels.co.uk or call for a free brochure 01282 811250.

Premier Polytunnels

Here at Premier Polytunnels we love to see photographs of our customers’ polytunnels and the wonderful flowers, fruit and veg that our customers have grown in their undercover gardens.

So when these beautiful pictures arrived in our inbox this morning, we simply had to share them with you!

This 10ft wide x 15ft long polytunnel is situated in the French Alps – You can see Mont Blanc in the background of the second picture!

The customer said: “Here are some pictures of our polytunnel. That isMont Blancin the background. We are very pleased with it. It has stood up to 9 inches of snow on the roof so far before we brushed it off. We would be pleased to recommend you”.

Polytunnel in French Alps

Polytunnel in French Alps, with Mont Blanc in background

With colder weather and shorter days, it is not uncommon for little work to be done inside the polytunnel this month. Many polytunnel gardeners will be clearing the last of the summer and autumn crops, washing pots, and preparing the beds for the 2012 growing season, while other undercover growers will be enjoying some winter gardening. Everyone, however, is thinking about Christmas presents…

Treat yourself or someone special to a ‘Premier’ Christmas present!

GIVE EXTRA PROTECTION

Polytunnels offer excellent crop protection from the winter elements, but when temperatures drop and frost arrives some plants will benefit from extra insulation. Polythene Cloches (mini polytunnels) are ideal for ‘double glazing’ polytunnels during the winter months, keeping the frost off your crops and saving on heating costs.

Premier Polytunnels Tip! Insulate your polytunnel by covering ventilation and doors with bubble wrap.

Premier Cloches – Available with polythene, anti bird net, or windbreak/shade net covers. Perfect plant protector for customers growing in a limited space, such as patios, yards, and raised beds. Ideal for use over a veg patch.

GIVE GUIDANCE

A must-have for all polytunnel gardeners!

‘The Polytunnel Book – Fruit and Vegetables All Year Round’ is the most comprehensive, practical guide to polytunnel gardening available. Whether you are a complete beginner or a more experienced grower, this book has got what you need; from preparing the site to simple charts that show at a glance how to get the best from each crop; from identifying and coping with pests to making a hotbed, composts, and organic feeds. But at the heart of this book is the author, Joyce Russell’s experience, hand guiding the reader through each month of the year. It tells you what to do and when to do it in order to get the best fruit and vegetables all year round.

Offer price of £14.00 from Premier Polytunnels. Order online today!

GIVE A PREMIER POLYTUNNEL – SAVE £££s!

“How will your garden grow in 2012…

Better in a Premier Polytunnel!”  

’12% OFF!’ Polytunnels and Additions for a limited time.

Offer ends on 3rd January 2012 – Order online today!

Treat yourself or someone special to a ‘Premier’ Christmas present!

Lambing is the most important time of both the farmer’s and the sheep’s year. In November and December many farmers begin preparing for the forthcoming busy lambing season. Necessary supplies are gathered, plans are put in place to manage and feed the sheep properly, and the lambing facilities, such as housing and pens, are prepared.

Sheep Housing has been used by farmers for many years because a strong, dry, protective shelter not only improves the animal’s welfare and reduces stress in the flock, but also helps to increase profitability.

Pregnant ewes and housed sheep are cheaper to feed and have lower nutritional requirements than flocks kept outside.

Adult sheep can stand the cold British weather, but newborn lambs often struggle in the cold and rain – The survival rate for lambs is higher when flocks are housed and sheltered from the elements and predators.

Sheep prefer naturally ventilated cold housing and good ventilation is essential to avoid respiratory problems, such as pneumonia and bronchitis, in the animals. 

Premier Polytunnels launched their Premier Sheep House in 2010. Designed and developed by Martin Wood of Premier Polytunnels (a Rolls Royce trained engineer, Martin is the man responsible for bringing you many of the polytunnel design innovations since 1991), our Premier Sheep House has primarily been designed as a sheep house for small flocks. However, this structure has many other uses throughout the year, including barn and food, hay, and equipment store.

Premier Sheep House

Our Sheep House uses a heavy duty, 800 gauge/200 micron polythene cover, which is white on the inside to give a cool, light interior, and dark green/black on the outside to be more aesthetically pleasing in a rural environment. This polythene can be expected to last for 10 years and more.

1m high black heavy duty netting is fitted around both sides and ends of the structure. The open ends are supported with a 10ft wide x approx 7ft high timber door frame, suitable to be fitted with a 10ft wide gate, and allowing access for machinery.

Available in sizes – 16ft wide, 18ft wide, 21ft wide, and 24ft wide, and starting at 30ft long, up to 90ft long.

For detailed information about the space allowances required for housed sheep according to age, size, and class of livestock, please view DEFRA’s Code of Recommendations for the Welfare of Livestock (Sheep) – see the table on page 21.

Contact Premier Polytunnels:

Website – www.premierpolytunnels.co.uk

E-mail – info@premierpolytunnels.co.uk

Telephone – 01282 811250

November has arrived and the weather (although surprisingly reasonable at the time of writing) could soon begin to feel gloomy. Some gardeners will soon be thinking of retiring their polytunnel for the winter, while others will be determined to get the best out of their undercover space for a little while longer.

If you are planning on putting in a few hours in your polytunnel this month, here are some hints, tips, and advice from the experts to help see you and your crops through November…

DID YOU KNOW? November is an ideal time to plant a grape vine!

PICK off yellowing and dead leaves and continue with the big TIDY UP started in October.

SORT plant labels, ready for next year… A job always better to be done inside the comfort of your polytunnel, rather than out in the cold, wet borders of the garden or allotment!

ORDER seeds, ready for next year… Sort through seed catalogues and place your order in advance to ensure you don’t miss out and that your new seeds arrive in good time! Any seeds you still have should keep over winter if they are stored in a cool, dry, airtight container, although parsnip and parsley are best bought fresh.

CLEAN the polytunnel cover to remove any grimy green coating of algae. This will LET MORE LIGHT into the polytunnel during the dark winter months. Try Algon for a safe and effective way of cleaning your polytunnel cover or greenhouse glass.

SAVE on heating bills and insulate your polytunnel with bubble wrap before the cold winter weather really sets in. Close the doors and any vents/blinds, covering any net ventilation in the polytunnel.

PREPARE FOR A BRITISH WINTER! Don’t forget the last couple of years’ long winters of heavy snowfall and below zero temperatures.

Ensure your polytunnel is SECURED against strong winds and storms – Check door catches are fixed tight and that doors and side vents are secure. Doors which rattle in gales can be reinforced using timber braces or a heavy weight against the door.

Be on the LOOK OUT for flying debris or branches which may fall and puncture the polytunnel cover. Polythene Repair Tape is always handy to have on standby for unforeseen mishaps.  

What should I do to protect my Polytunnel when it snows?

Premier Polytunnels recommend that heavy snowfall is brushed off the polytunnel as soon as possible. The weight of a big snowfall can put strain on the frame and may cause the polythene cover to stretch and sag if left to lie on the roof.

Remove excess snow by tapping on the sides of the polytunnel cover, and on the roof inside the polytunnel if you can reach! Use a soft brush to gently knock snow from the harder to reach areas/roof.

Hints and Tips from our customers….

Use a gas or electric heater inside the polytunnel to turn up the temperature and encourage the snow to slide off!

‘BELT AND BRACES’ METHOD – Tried, tested and recommended by a customer on the Shetland Isles – In very heavy snowfall support the curved roof with timber struts inside the polytunnel, positioned from the ground up to the centre of the hoops (excluding the end hoops).

Do you have any hints and tips that you would like to share with fellow polytunnel gardeners? Share your experiences by e-mailing the Premier Polytunnels Team at info@premierpolytunnels.co.uk

October started out with record breaking temperatures, with some areas of the UK reaching 29.9C (the highest temperature recorded in October). The unseasonably warm weather threw plants in confusion and many, such as strawberries and rhododendrons, began to flower again, according to experts at the Royal Horticulture Society (RHS). But unfortunately the weather forecast for the rest of the month isn’t as exciting. Low pressure is expected, bringing strong winds, rain and showers. Later in the month high pressure is forecast to develop, resulting in quieter weather during the day, but an increasing likelihood of fog and frost at night.

Work in the polytunnel starts to wind down in October, but there are still plenty of jobs to do over the autumn and winter months to keep ahead of the game.

KEEP HARVESTING – Expert October harvesting tips, ensuring you can continue to enjoy your own delicious home grown produce this month, are available in ‘The Polytunnel Book – Fruit and Vegetables All Year Round’ – Available from Premier Polytunnels at the offer price of £14.00.

TIDY UP – Get the polytunnel ready for the 2012 growing season – Think “clean and clear!” Clear expendable summer plants that have finished cropping or are showing signs of disease, clear any debris, begin washing used pots and scrubbing staging and trestle benches, sweep pathways, and clean and repair the polythene cover. (Tidying a polytunnel ready for the coming year can be a big task, so don’t worry if you don’t get everything done this month).

KEEP DOORS SHUT – Close doors and vents early (as soon as the sun disappears from the plot) and keep them closed when it’s cold and windy. This will help to protect the plants that you have nurtured during the spring and summer months from frost on the cold nights that are to come.

KEEP PLANTS WARM – Extend the 2011 growing season by keeping plants warm when temperatures drop. Many people use fleece and even newspaper to cover their crops in cold and frosty weather.

Premier Polytunnels Tip! A polythene cloche is ideal for ‘double glazing’ your polytunnel. Using a polythene cloche inside your polytunnel during the colder months gives your plants extra protection from the cold British winters, keeping the frost off your crops and saving on heating costs.

WATER CAREFULLY – Crops need much less water now that plant growth is slower, therefore watering should be reduced to a minimum this month. For expert advice on how to water inside your polytunnel at this time of year, pick up a copy of the November issue of Kitchen Garden magazine or visit the website – http://www.kitchengarden.co.uk/news/undercover-october-2011

WHAT TO SOW AND PLANT IN OCTOBER:

Rocket, Land cress, Oriental greens, Spinach, Winter lettuce, Garlic, Kohl rabi, Mibuna, Mizuna.

WHAT TO HARVEST IN OCTOBER:

Tomatoes, Peppers, Cucumbers, Aubergines, Courgettes, Sweet potatoes, Coriander, Pack choi, Spinach, Lettuce, Fennel, French beans, Grapes.

SEPTEMBER SPECIAL!

September is a great month to construct a polytunnel… Before the days get shorter and you lose light, before the winds get higher, before the ground gets harder, and while you can fit your polytunnel cover on a warm day without the need for a coat!

‘10% OFF!’ all polytunnels – and –

 ‘FREE!’ Anti Hot Spot Tape

with every polytunnel ordered this month.

September’s Jobs for Inside Your Polytunnel.

Start CLEARING summer crops – Be ruthless and pull up any plants that are no longer at their best, thus making valuable space for winter crops.

In wet weather, USE spare under cover space for drying outdoor crops.

PRESERVE tender herbs, such as basil, lemon verbena, and sweet marjoram (which start to deteriorate in damper, cooler weather), to capture the last of their delicious summer flavour.

SHUT doors and vents on cold nights (which may start to become frosty before the month is out), but otherwise make sure VENTILATION is good, even if the weather is cooler. Good ventilation in the polytunnel aids winter crops and helps to minimise condensation which can lead to an increased risk of fungal diseases.

PULL UP weeds and REMOVE debris, such as pots, canes, and rubbish that could be hiding diseases and pests, such as red spider mites, aphids, and whiteflies, that could be carried over into your winter crops.

REDUCE watering as growth slows down, ensuring that your crops are not left to sit in waterlogged, cold soil.

WASH OFF any algae from the polytunnel cover, in readiness for allowing more sunlight into the polytunnel as daylight hours get shorter during the winter months.

Cleaning Chemical for your Polytunnel Cover

Premier Polytunnels supply an organic chemical, Algon, which is used to clean any outdoor surface. A safe, effective way of cleaning your polytunnel or greenhouse, this non-toxic chemical is safe for pets, wildlife, and around fish ponds. No scrubbing or rinsing required – Simply apply and walk away! Results will start to show within just a few days and the effects can last up to one year. Algon can be used as any time of the year, but the best results are achieved when applied to a dry surface when rain is not expected. Premier Polytunnels supply Algon in 2.5 litre bottles.

REPAIR any tears in your polytunnel cover before the winds get higher. Once repaired with polythene repair tape, there is no reason why the cover will not last its full term.

Repair Tape for your Polytunnel Cover

Premier Polytunnels supply a clear UV resistant Repair Tape with high tack acrylic adhesive on one side. 10m on a roll and available in two widths – 50mm and 100mm.

WHAT TO SOW AND PLANT IN SEPTEMBER:

Winter salad leaves, Winter lettuce, Winter turnips, Spring cabbage, Cress, Rocket, Oriental greens, Lamb’s lettuce, Spinach beet, Florence fennel, Kohl rabi, Early carrot varieties.

WHAT TO HARVEST IN SEPTEMBER:

Tomatoes, Peppers, Cucumbers, Aubergines, Basil, Sweetcorn, Courgettes, Salad leaves, Lettuce, Grapes, Melons.

Today saw the launch of two new fantastic pages on our Premier Polytunnels website – The ‘Construction’ page and the ‘Educational Polytunnels’ page.

Construction

Educational Polytunnels

Here at Premier Polytunnels we are able to produce a one-piece sewn net polytunnel cover.

This green 47% shade net is ideal to be used on a polytunnel with or without a polythene cover in place. Used on its own, a net cover provides shade, full ventilation, significant reduction in wind speeds, and still allows rainwater to filter through to the plants. It also provides excellent crop protection from birds and insects.

Placed over a polytunnel with a polythene cover in place, the net provides shade and significantly reduces the temperature inside.   

This net includes durable flat tape threads and double lockstitch tearproof technology to product the ultimate woven shade product. Tested in the Middle East for UV life in excess of 10 years, this net has also proven its durability in the toughest of conditions.

Our net polytunnel covers are sewn together using a 5 thread overlocker sewing machine. The thread used has a high tensile strength and includes UV stabilisers to ensure the thread lasts the life of the net (8-10 year).

We highly recommend using Anti Hot Spot Tape on the metal framework prior to fitting the cover to protect the net from chafing.

Net polytunnel covers are sewn together from 3.66m and 1.83m wide rolls.

Looking for a net cover for your existing polytunnel frame, but not sure what size you need? Calculate the size of cover required using the simple calculator on the Replacement Cover page of our website. Alternatively, contact the Sales Team by e-mail on info@premierpolytunnels.co.uk or by telephone on 01282 811250.

Net Polytunnel Cover

4^th August 2011 = Premier Polytunnels’ online shop is 2-years-old today! Happy Birthday! Hip, hip, hooray!

The team at Premier Polytunnels would like to say a big THANK YOU to our customers, friends and associates for all of their continued support.

Here’s to another great year!

August’s Jobs for Inside Your Polytunnel.

August brings an abundance of delicious, fresh and healthy, home grown produce, together with a great sense of achievement for the polytunnel gardener. Heat-loving crops, such as tomatoes, pepper, corn cobs, cucumbers, aubergines, melons and many more quickly fill even the largest of baskets this month, so be ready to pick, pickle and freeze! Family, friends, neighbours, work colleagues, and even the postman as we have found, will be happy to relieve you of any surplus fruit and veg!

You may have more produce than you know what to do with, but it is important to KEEP PICKING so that plants keep producing new fruit well into the autumn.

Don’t forget the two important rules of polytunnel growing during the summer months…

1. Keep VENTILATION to a maximum and allow air to circulate between the plants. Overheating can kill plants! Polytunnel doors should be opened as soon as the sun shines!
2. Keep WATERING regularly and carefully. If the atmosphere is very dry, mist overhead and hose down paths.

CUT BACK foliage and REMOVE any unwanted, diseased or damaged, yellowing foliage as soon as they appear to allow air to move more freely throughout the polytunnel.

Keep FEEDING ripening crops and plants in pots regularly. Switch to high-potash fertilisers to encourage tomatoes, melons, and cucumbers to continue to fruit well.

COLLECT seed once it is dry and store in paper envelopes in a cool, dry place until next spring.

POT ON seedlings until they are ready to plant out.

POT UP strawberries for next year’s undercover crop.

STAKE peppers and aubergines to help support the plants, keep them upright, and keep them off the ground where they are vulnerable to pests or rotting.

It may only be August, but in the polytunnel it is not too early to be thinking about winter… PREPARE beds for overwintering crops – Clear spent plants and add compost to your polytunnel beds ready to re-sow with winter veg. Keep SOWING for winter crops.

WHAT TO SOW AND PLANT IN AUGUST:

French beans, Kohl rabi, Winter lettuce, Spinach, Oriental greens (eg; pak choi, mizuna), Rocket, Lamb’s lettuce, Land cress, Swiss chard, Florence fennel, Coriander, Beetroot, Potatoes.

WHAT TO HARVEST IN AUGUST:

Tomatoes, Peppers, Sweetcorn, Cucumbers, Aubergines, Basil, Melons, Grapes, Salad leaves, Courgettes, Pumpkin and squash.