In November 2006 we obtained planning consent for 8 polytunnels each measuring 7mx20m. Up to summer 2008 we had only erected two of these, partly due to the spectra of planning enforcement hanging over our heads. With a positive outcome at the planning appeal in August 2008, we have now pushed head and put up three more tunnels, we now have a total of five, with a total protected growing space of 700m2. All the tunnel hoops were purchased second hand, and we have enough hoops to make one more tunnel (this will involve some major straightening of some hoops). To be able to erect the final two tunnels we are looking at about £2000 each, so for the time being they will have to wait.
In the recent cold weather the new tunnels have been valuable in providing us with fresh spinach, chard and salad the outside crops were too frozen to harvest.
In an attempt to get an extra early crop of broad beans, seeds were planted in module trays in November and planted out into the polytunnel in December (one week after it was erected, one of the wonders of sowing into module trays first). The broad beans in the polytunnel are now twice as tall as those planted outside at the same time.
