This week Lovely Hubby managed to do another trench for the polytunnel erection. It really pays having a methodically minded engineer for a husband. Once this polytunnel is up it will be going nowhere, neither will the soil on the hillside. This trench is for the bottom of the net tunnel and once the anchor plates are in place in the squares yet to be dug it will eventually be filled with cement. This I'm reliably informed will help hold the soil in place on the hillside and stop any shifting of the tunnels.
Staging the hillside this way is a big job but once it is all done the sense of achievement is going to be fantastic. I'm full of admiration for my man.
Another much, much smaller job this weekend was to cut to size some membrane and use it to cover the beds that have now been filled with soil. This will hopefully keep any weed seeds that are blowing around off the beds and will be used every Winter when the beds are not in use. We are already considering designing covers that will roll back like a swimming pool cover, but that is a job for the future, in the meantime held down by big rocks we are hoping the membrane will do the job.
Sue xx
Handy husbands with trade skills should be on the top of every woman's list. I simply dont know how you cope without them. The next generation (male & female) are not interested in learning anything remotely deemed "manual labour" so i wonder who is going to do this work when they all retire. Im learning lots from your photos and had no idea that there was an underlying infrastructure to a polytunnel. They are not very common here in Oz.
ReplyDeleteThey can be put up a lot more simply, but with the high winds and the exposed position here on a hillside we are being extra careful. We don't want the whole lot lifting and shifting and blocking one of the main roads through this part of Wales!!
DeleteWhat a good idea to cover them in winter, may have to rig something up for my veg patch when not in use
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful husband, you and he must ben so very busy indeed. xx
ReplyDeleteI think I prefer the smaller jobs ;) Your hubby works like a machine..........well a reliable machine and not a toaster x
ReplyDeleteCan I ask what poly tunnels you are putting in, we are hoping to get a couple of poly tunnels,
ReplyDeleteThe garden is going to look great and be a good productive area.
We are putting in two tunnels, both are 12ft x 25ft, one will be a normal poly covered tunnel, we paid for the super upgrade on this which means the diameter of the tubes is 35mm instead of 25mm, so it is a much stronger design and one tunnel frame (our old standard one) which will be covered with a heavy duty plastic mesh to allow beneficial insects in but keep bigger critters out, this will be used for all our more delicate crops that do need some fresh air.
DeleteAll our purchases were made through First Tunnels, which is my favourite company for all things related to polytunnels. We have always had excellent service from them and would highly recommend them.
I hope this helps.
Thanks Sue
DeleteI'd like to get some poly tunnels in as well. I've been kind of lazy about it because we've had quite a few mild winters. Last winter, however, was bitterly cold and everything went dormant. Next winter I must be prepared! I like your idea for the bed covers. Very well thought out.
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