“Vision without execution is hallucination.” — Thomas Edison

After a month or so of modifying plans, designs, redesigns and collaboration, a momentous step;
the first polytunnel hoop is up.

The design process has been led by volunteers and improved upon by volunteers and visitors alike. Witnessing and being able to support this process has been a true joy. The improvements to the design since my first solo attempt in 2020 are remarkable, incorporating ideas from caterpillar tunnels, additional bracing for impending storms, and the ability to remove the cover completely if need be.

“Keep it simple stupid” has been applied many times with this polytunnel design, removing unnecessary complications.

In a conversation about plant labeling, a laser cutter that would cut wood into shapes and burn on plant labels was quashed by a simple question, “what about using a china marker?” This is reminiscent of the urban myth “NASA spent millions of dollars developing a space pen while the Soviet Union used pencils.”