DIY Polytunnel

Shay · Hazel Tree Joined: 20 Dec 2008 Posts: 15

As per my previous post I finally completed my DIY polytunnel a couple of weeks ago. Shortly afterwards we had some serious winds (up to 100Km) and its still standing. It was hard work to construct. Driving in scaffold tubes 600mm into stiff clay while trying not to flatten the tops proved difficult. However, it provide quite cheap and is quiet robust. I varied the construction a wee bit from the original web link.

Her Outdoors · Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 11:28 am Post subject:

That looks excellent Shay, well done.
Can I ask where you bought the polythene and what guage it is? We live on a windy hill and it has always put me off paying an exorbitant price for it to blow into th next parish. Can I ask what the overall cost was? It looks really impressive.

James Kilkelly, was GPI. · Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 1:37 pm Post subject:

Nice one Shay.
It makes good use of that oft dead part of the some gardens where the ESB pole stainer hit the ground.
Plastic conduit on the bars I see, but what is the white stripping outside that?
I like the way you left the the bit of venting above the door.

Shay · Hazel Tree Joined: 20 Dec 2008 Posts: 15

The cost was around €180 for the ducting pipe, polythene, hot spot tape and timber (I already had the scaffold tubes).

Its 6x3m and would have cost in the €500-600 range for a full kit.

I got the polythene from First Tunnels in the UK , its 720 gauge.

The white stuff over the ducting pipes is the hot spot tape.

Scaffold tubes should be quiet cheap to purchase in the current climate.

I've rigged up some irrigation pipe to my water butt adjacent the shed and got a timer to connect to the pipework to water the plants at gound level inside the tunnel. The timer cost around €30 on ebay, €25 cheaper than local DIY stores.

Its amazing how quickly the water butt empties (210l) so I think I will have to connect a few in series or maybe some cheap IBC's.

BlackBird · Ash Tree Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 206

Looks great Shay. You on the road to being self sufficent. Solar cells on the shed roof as well, very snazzy. What you hoping to grow in your first season?

Shay · Hazel Tree Joined: 20 Dec 2008 Posts: 15

Lots of tomatoes, peppers, chillis, a couple of watermelons, some basil, abergine, some early lettuce and rocket...thats the plan.

juliep · Hazel Tree Joined: 11 Apr 2009 Posts: 2

we're starting to make one of these ourselves.will show pics whemn we get them sorted

Shay · Hazel Tree Joined: 20 Dec 2008 Posts: 15

Hi Juilep,

Just a couple of tips if your interested.

I found it difficult and time consuming to drill through the scaffold tube to place a bolt/nail to stop the piping slipping down so I fitted a Queen pipe clip instead. So far it seems ok.

I fitted hot spot tape but it would not adhere to the scaffold tube section so I used cable plastic cable ties along that part.

Spray plenty of oil over the tubes and into the duct pipe to make it easier to fit on.

Best of luck.

juliep · Hazel Tree Joined: 11 Apr 2009 Posts: 2

Hi , shay , i have a master when it comes to pipes,etc, not me but my partner, although i did help enormously. just one question, can you tell us how you managed to join the polythene to avoid leaks. we won't be getting back to it until tomorrow,as we are away today

Shay · Hazel Tree Joined: 20 Dec 2008 Posts: 15

Join the Polythene?
Its one complete sheet with sections cut out for the doors and vents. Fix at the door frames with timber battens and the rest buried.