Polytunnel DISASTER! :(

[lisa4star]

The b****y wind took my polytunnel for a fly. We thought it was secure. Luckily it was in one piece in the neighbours garden. We managed to get it back up somehow, don't know how as the wind is very strong. I'm not sure if it's going to last the night though as we have had to use breeze blocks or anything heavy to weight it all down - it's far too windy to get it done properly

There is a hole in it now and the poles are bent. It wasn't expensive at £100 but so gutted. Went from a 6ftx6ft last year to a 4.5m x 2m this year. Might have to save up for a glass greenhouse next year

To make it worse there are damaged plants - non salvagable sweetcorn x 2(since learned this should be outside) and a cucumber plant and a few tomato plants look a sorry picture.

Any suggestions on securing it further once the wind has died down. Think we are going to try sand but are open to ideas.

[Hollie the Wollie]

Oh no! How sad... you have worked so hard on these! You could may be tie it down to bricks perhaps... edging it with bricks?! I have not used a poly-tunnel before so I am not much help.

I hope that everything recovers well... it sure has been windy down this way too!

[lisa4star]

I think we may try sand and bricks to weigh it down as much as possible. My poor plants and the poor frog that has been living under the basil was scared almost rigid but he's back under the basil now and much better after a shower with the watering can.

I may try writing to polytunnel supplier and see if they will send a replacement as we haven't had it long. Prob won't do any good but worth a shot I reckon.

[Hollie the Wollie]

Oh no... poor Mr Frog too!

[airconednightmare]

bricks, bags of gravel, etc kept mine down but it was a close call

[Peony]

Oh no!! What a nightmare!

How about buying some foundation tubes that you either bury or concrete into the ground. The poles of the polytunnel then fit onto the foundation tubes and keep in secure.... I don't think that they're expensive, it's just a hassle having to dig deep to fit them properly.

Here a link to some more information about them.. First Tunnels - Shop Online For Polytunnels I inherited some of these when I took over my allotment, the previous tenant has concreted them into the ground and there is absolutely no way that they're going to ever move!!!!

[lisa4star]

The other half has managed to secure it properly, thank goodness.

He didn't want to concrete it in as we are going to dismantle it for the winter to stop it corroding.

So glad it didn't blow away completely otherwise my plants would have probably not lasted the night and poor Frank, that's the frog must have felt like we neglected him as he has packed his bags and left

[Carrot]

I've never fancied having a tunnel for this reason. They seem delicate.

[grocer]

Sorry to hear that
Do you want to keep the greenhouse where it is permanently? If so, you can actually use concrete to secure it. Dig small holes (5 inches in diameter), pour in the concrete and stick the "legs" in. On the other hand, if the "legs" are bent, it doesn't seem like a very good idea. Can they be straightened?

[polytunnels]

Sorry, had to laugh when I read the first part of your post, then I felt sorry for you when you talk about the plants you've lost.

I think it's worth spending a bit of money on a polytunnel because then it's going to last you and not end up in next door's garden (snigger).

Our polytunnels are on sale at the moment, and really high quality. Have a look; Polytunnels - Garden Polytunnels from Haygrove - Haygrove Polytunnels, Poly Tunnels, PolyTunnel - Design & Buy PolyTunnel Online

We can construct them for you too to make sure you don't have the same trouble again!

All the best

[beverley gant]

I too had one of these cheaper tunnels. Over the winter the joints all rusted combined with one night of heavy snow it collapsed. I am awaiting the arrival of a Haygrove tunnel. They are quite expensive but listed in a few places as the Rolls Royce of polytunnels.

[beverley gant]

I too had one of those cheaper tunnels over the winter all the joints rusted even though they were taped. One night of heavy snow an the lot collapsed. I am now awaiting a Haygrove tunnel. they are quite expensive but are referred to as the Rolls Royce of tunnels.