And once a plant has been infected, there is, most of the time, no cure. All you can do is remove the infected plant. If you do not have purpose-built housing you could use a garden shed or polytunnel, as long as there is adequate light, space and ventilation.’ So it is important to buy the best quality you can for your budget. To ensure you get the best polytunnel for your needs, look out for these criteria. However, during summer, a polytunnel can heat up quite a bit during the day. And while many plants, such as tomatoes, love it warm, if it gets too hot, they might not do very well.

Once you have a plan of what you would like to grow, you will know how much space you will need inside and outside the polytunnel. A well ventilated polytunnel will keep moisture levels in control, but also ensure the polytunnel does not get too hot. The way it works is that you buy additional arches and a bigger cover. This is a good solution if you are not sure about the size you need, as it gives you the option to make it bigger, should you need to. Location

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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.

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.One thing I wouldn’t recommend is going for the cheapest options. Because these tend to be of poor quality and are likely to only last for a few months.

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. If the location of your garden or allotment polytunnel is especially exposed, you can look into reinforcing your polytunnel with wood, even if the polytunnel itself does not come with this feature. The polytunnels on our list are all moderately priced, so you should find one that suits your budget. Do Polytunnels Need Ventilation? Grow a variety of flowers, plants and vegetables in this 3x2 metre polytunnel by Garden Grow. Constructed using powder coated steel frames covered with a waterproof PE protector, this polytunnel is durable and easy to construct. Six Windows – the insect-proof mesh windows keep pests away, while the roll-up cover creates a welcome air flow throughout the tunnel. When closed, the greenhouse maintains higher humidity levels – ideal for growing tropical plants.

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Covering 6 square metres, there’s plenty of space for your plants to grow – as well as room for you to attend to your plants in comfort. The short answer is yes. We have briefly talked about ventilation earlier, but let’s go into more detail. One of the things we really loved about First Tunnels was the ease at which you can customise your polytunnel to exactly what you need. It features double stitched seams for maximum durability and has a double zip door that can be rolled up for easy access. There are also netted windows to ensure the temperature within the greenhouse can be controlled. These windows can also be covered by rolling down the PE covers.

The more you spend, the more you save and so sometimes it can be cheaper to add on an extra just to get across the threshold for the next discount offer (it ranges from 10-20% off). 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. Another problem that can occur in a polytunnel is moister build up. Condensation can create the perfect environment for fungal diseases, which love damp, warm conditions. You could also consider growing a hedge to break the wind, if the wind tends to come from one direction.

There are many vegetables that you can grow all winter in a polytunnel. Or maybe you need to bring in some of your outdoor plants to overwinter them. The best polytunnels for an allotment will provide you with appropriate opportunities for ventilation. This could include doors, windows or vents low down on the side of the tunnel.