Our 3x2m polytunnel will make a suitable alternative to a solid structure to house birds during the Avian Flu outbreak. Our tunnel allows adequate light and ventilation and will help offer protection from wild birds that may be carrying the disease. We went for extra support braces, sliding doors, crop bars, and staging to give us more growing options and increase the stability of our tunnel. There’s an explanation of what each option provides (some even have short videos to explain!) and the graphic on the left changes to give you a visual representation.

My recommendation would be to sit down and think carefully about what you want to grow on your allotment or in your garden. Inside the polytunnel but also outside. Perfect to keep young plants protected during harsher conditions, this polytunnel is supplied with high-quality, durable, metal pegs to ensure it’s always secure to the ground. If you decide that your crops are ready to face the weather alone, simply move the lightweight tunnel to your next crop or deconstruct with ease for use again next season. As mentioned above, look for additional measures to strengthen the frame such as storm bars. This will ensure your frame is as strong as possible.A Fully Galvanised Structure with added internal bracing...more so than any other in it's class. This tunnel not only has Three arches and a " Ground Bar Kit", we have also added Two opposing corner diagonal brace bars and a central roof horizontal brace bar, thus giving greater flex tolerance against wind stresses, a front hinged double skinned metal door with closing catch and, rear zippered roll up door suitable for barrow access - completes the structure. A heavy 150g/sm crossweave, rip stop cover with four netted window vents, two on each side and a wide ground skirt for entrenchment gives increased protection against the elements. We roped in a friend to help (unlike us, he’s not vertically challenged so was very useful for reaching the higher up bits!) with the lure of cooking him a nice meal on the evening (and a regular supply of our future growing successes!).

HEAVY DUTY POLYTUNNEL COVER: As well as superior framework our covers are 140gsm and the UPVC cover will let ample UV light in whilst also being expected to last a number of season in the British climate. There is ample skirt material around the bottom of the polytunnel cover to be dug into the ground for additional stability. You want to make sure your polytunnel has a metal frame. The best polytunnels for an allotment or garden will have a frame made of galvanised steel, which is a very strong material. All the parts are very high quality, giving you a polytunnel that will stand the test of time. And although it will take two people around two days to build it, the instructions and videos are very good. PLANT PRIORITY: A strip window runs down one side and is fitted with mesh to keep bugs out whilst allowing ventilation, a clever feature allows the plastic flap to be clipped up creating a water catcher which funnels water to the end allowing you to place a water butt under it.It should be noted that First Tunnels do also offer a service where they will build it for you. We expect it’s not cheap but we can see the benefits, especially if you’re not physically able to construct it yourself. Ventilation is one of the most important things when it comes to a polytunnel. Because of the way a polytunnel works, moister build up is a common occurrence. Measuring 3-metres in length and 2-metres in width, this tunnel has plenty of room to grow a variety of crops. To compliment your polytunnel we also offer a range of powder coated wire shelving units and seedling trays. The next thing to consider is the location of the polytunnel. Will it be sheltered and protected from the elements or will it get battered by wind and rain. This specialist structure is designed to help create the ideal environment for your plants, flowers and vegetables to thrive.

I’d strongly recommend doing the same if you can as it is much more fun when other people are involved. Digging the foundations Frame built, cover ready Doors on, mission complete!

When you buy a polytunnel, you don’t want to have to replace it after a season because it is of poor quality. And once a plant has been infected, there is, most of the time, no cure. All you can do is remove the infected plant. To prevent the cover coming off in strong winds, you have to either fix it to the frame or use the trenching method, whereby you bury the edges of the cover in the soil. The short answer is yes. We have briefly talked about ventilation earlier, but let’s go into more detail. While the First Tunnels polytunnel is not the cheapest, it is well worth the money. You will get the polytunnel that suits your allotment and your growing needs.