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Pollytunnel orientation

  • 15-01-2012 11:04pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 456 ✭✭


    I am about to purchase a Polytunnel and i would appreciate if someone could advise me on orientation.

    I have to site it close to a high hedge that runs e-w. the tunnel will be on the S side.
    The house is located to the SW of the site - this means that it receives no direct sun after 3/4pm during the summer. P

    It also gets quite strong winds blowing from the S due to a channeling of the wind from the neighbouring field.

    So, i am trying to decide if i should position the tunnel E-W (running along the hedge and would have the main part facing S so gets max sun) or N-S where it would get the morning sun and have less exposure to the wind.

    Any advice that you can give would be greatly appreciated.


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,730 ✭✭✭redser7


    Personally I would go with E-W. Look at getting storm bracing and or crop bars for added strength if you are really worried. But the tunnel should be strong enough to withstand any wind anyway so I wouldn't put too much consideration into that. Having said that, as you are getting south wind channelled at it, E-W works good for you. It will slip over the structure naturally plus you won't have it coming straight at your door, risking damage during a storm. If a door fails and wind gets in but cant get out you could loose the whole tunnel.
    So go with E-W to take advantage of the better sun exposure. Most of the tunnels at the allotments where I am are E-W.


  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 5,223 Mod ✭✭✭✭slowburner


    +1 for E/W
    You will have to think about how you plant the tunnel though.
    Lowest growing plants to the southern side etc.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,730 ✭✭✭redser7


    And think about raised beds too to grab a bit extra light. Usually raised beds in a tunnel rob you of a bit of height for stuff like tomatoes but yours is a special case. For tall stuff you could run strings across the tunnel and grow up and across them.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 879 ✭✭✭sirpsycho


    +1 for E-W also.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 456 ✭✭twenty8


    E-W it is then. Thanks to everyone for the advice. Will keep you updated as i get it up.


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