Thursday 2 April 2015

Life in the Polytunnel


The propagators are all neatly lined up and full of seeds.


I have a new hanging shelf in the middle, currently holding the radio but it will be used for hanging tomatoes and some strawberries later in the year.


I have added a hook for my jacket .....


... and Lovely Hubby put up this rack for my tools.


I check inside the propagators every day not really expecting to see anything ....


... but then this morning just five days after planting, I have a Pea popping it's head through the compost.


I thought I would fill up some more toilet roll tubes ready for planting tomorrow and then, out of the corner of my eye ....


.... I spotted a touch of green in the propagator nearest to me.


The teeniest, tiniest tomato plant is bravely showing itself to the world.

Yes we have life in the polytunnel,  I did a little 'happy dance' ... well you just have to don't you  :-)

Sue xx

22 comments:

  1. You lucky bunny but I don't begrudge you your poly tunnel, you have waited long enough for it. It must be lovely to while away the hours in there, particularly in bad weather.

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  2. so do you try and grow everything for your own consumption, or do you grow to sell as well? Also as this is a new polytunnel you could only start the seeds when it was ready to go; next year would you start things earlier to get a jump on the season?

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    1. This year it is all about feeding ourselves and storing any excess in the freezer for Winter consumption. My aim is to have us a nearly self sufficient in fruit and veg as possible ... all year round. I hope to avoid the 'hungry gap' this time next year as much as possible. So planting all year round if that I possible here .... it was down south, but we are a few degrees colder here and more exposed.

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  3. do you fold up the bottom of the toilet paper roll to keep the soil in or is the "bottom" the pan it's sitting in? Also are they cut in half? I've already got most of my seeds started for this year, but am looking ahead. My sweet hubby just got me one of those four shelved smallish greenhouses (it was at Aldi of all places :) so I'm going to get some tubs of lettuce going asap. Thank you for your help! Janet

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    1. There is no bottom, that way once the tubes containing their individual little plants are transplanted to the beds or bigger pots there is nothing to hinder downward root development. They tray they are sat in acts as a base.

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  4. It looks super organised. I love to see the seedlings spring into life.

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  5. Sue you are just amazing in your "home away from home" in the polytunnel. I had never heard of one of these until I started reading your posts some time back.

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  6. Wow looks huge! I'm afraid my toms look very poorly, I think it is too cold for them in the greenhouse.

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    1. I think it's a bit too cold in there at the moment, that's why I was so surprised to see any germination so quickly.

      We have sunshine forecast for the weekend, I have my fingers crossed, that will help warm things up a bit.

      It measures 25ft by 12ft wide .... the polytunnel not the tomato plant ;-)

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  7. I see I am not the only one saving toilet paper rolls! I did use a few to plant seedlings in but I mainly saved mine for collars. I cut them down the side and put them around the stalks of plants when I plant them in the garden, as the rolly polly bugs here are wicked on whacking down my seedlings! So fun to see the seedlings starting to peek up from the dirt isn't it! Your poly tunnel is super. Where you lives appears to be really beautiful.

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    1. It is, we are very lucky to have found a home in this location. :-)

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  8. Now that's what we call an "executive" poly tunnel! Brilliant job.
    Good luck with the sowing. We could do with a little more daylight couldn't we? While it hasn't been particularly cold it has been dull which has held back the growth a bit.
    Gill

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  9. I'm so jealous, I can't grow anything but old!

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  10. Fantastic, it looks brilliant, can't wait to get my own :) they make such a differenct, especially to have somewhere dry to work :)

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  11. Wow! That all looks totally amazing and I wish you very successful food growth. :) (I'm nowhere near getting a real polytunnel yet.)

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  12. All looking good - you must be so excited. This would have been my dream in the garden at our cottage - sadly looks like it is not to be. Are you having a grand opening?

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  13. I just knew it wouldn't be long before the 'greening' of the polytunnel would start!
    You and Hubby have done a wonderful job and it will repay you all through the year. Well done you two! xx

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  14. That's wonderful Sue & so neat - love it !

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  15. Hi I LOVE your tunnel layout. How did u manage to get the shelf on stilts to work? I have a poly tunnel ordered this week! :)
    Best of luck

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    1. 'shelf on stilts'? If you mean the work bench on the left, its legs match up with each of the Polytunnel ribs and are attached with special clips. I bought it with the tunnel. You just add your own wooden top 😊

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