All Change – North South!

Building a polytunnel across the slope, East-West in our case, meant that the gables would be on a 1:10 slope causing complications for doors and thresholds. This has kept our engineering volunteers busy trying to sort out solutions we did not really need because….

Charles Dowding recommends building polytunnels North-South and for us it meant that the gables are at the top and bottom of the slope and more importantly, they are level. This orientation is supported by lots of other gardeners and polytunnel manufacturers.

The volunteers cut the pipework into 10m lengths, giving us a 6.336m wide polytunnel, and placed in a form/jig so they are in the right shape rather than curled up in the shape for delivery. Although it’s frosty now, when the sun shines, the plastic will soften and keep it’s shape. The original polytunnel pipes have also been added as the new volunteer lead design will allow narrower pipes to be re-erected. The joy of a collaborative design process.

Halfords have been very helpful supplying cardboard bicycle boxes that we’re using as a weed suppressant in the polytunnel. As it’s nearly Christmas, it’s a busy time for bike sales and apparently next week, they have 50 bikes boxes. Three car loads of bike boxes barely covered half the polytunnel footprint. On top of the cardboard layer we will roll out a bale of straw making it a pleasant surface to walk on while building the polytunnel; another brilliant volunteer idea! In the spring, we can add layers of compost to make the beds.

The wee polytunnel frame made from trampoline hoops, was moved into it’s position, although that is only plan A, so is likely to be moved again.

The impact of collaborating with volunteers is significant, the design improves over time, they are engaged and feel part of the project and walk away with a spring in their step. Without them, there would be no project!