[Jerrymc]

I am a complete novice. I built a Polytunnel about a month ago, and have planted a sample of many fruit and veg. The tunnell is 20ft by 10 ft, and I have raised beds inside, with very good soil, mixed with a little sand, and horse manure. I have planted, Tomatoes, Strawberries, Lettuce, Cabbage, Brussels Sprouts, Parsley, Onions sets, and Rhubarb. Everything is growing, ...but now I really dont know how to ensure that I am doing the correct thing with them. I have inserted canes alongside the Tomatoes, and have supported them with little plastic ties.Is this sufficient???

My strawberries have Flowered, and I can now see fruit starting. The are very low [close to the soil], and the fruit is hanging down. Will this result in rotten fruit???. Also, I planted them close to the Tomatoes. And now someone told me that I should not have done this.

Any advice the you folks can give about anything that I planted, will be most welcome

[Digger Dan]

Jerrymc,

one thing I would say about strawberries from my experience is that you do need to get them clear of soil/ground. My strawberries (in a tunnel) started ripening mid May and I lost a few of them that lay in contact with the growbag.

To lift them up I suspended a bamboo can over the row of plants and looped some garden wire around the fruit trusses. This keeps them clear of the bag/soil as they ripen. I've lost none to rot since.



Digger Dan

[Jerrymc]

DiggerDan

Thank you so much for the reply. I will try to do this tomorrow.

[Charles_Dimmock]

I recently planted strawberries and tomatoes but as of yet no flowers, I have them in a sunny area and keep them well watered.

They're a good size plant but i'm desperate to see some flowering, is there anything I can do? I should add I have them exposed and aren't in a pollytunnel or greenhouse.

You might be able to tell i'm a novice

[qwerty?]

[michael brenock]

do not plant cabbage, brussels sprouts or rhubarb in a tunnel as they do just as well outside. Plant some onion sets inside but should be mostly outside. Give plenty room for plants to develop.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)