If you've not already watched the original build and review video of this polytunnel one year ago, you can do so by clicking here: ruclips.net/video/5fAoxQhdymE/видео.html
It helps quite a lot. I will say though, it's a good idea to make sure it's on the support bars that run along the top of the poly as well as the hoops. As the cover can also touch those as well if it isn't tight
Ours is on concrete and my husband secured it down by drilling it into the floor and then bolted it. It's also screwed to our wooden fence so the frame doesn't move anywhere, despite the bad British weather. But the cover on the other hand, it has been ripped off several times by the winds, and I totally agree about the degradation of the netting, ours has disintegrated, and the algae build up is awful. The cover doesn't really fit properly so it didn't fit to the frame exactly as it should. The framework has also rusted really badly and is disconnecting itself from other parts so I'm just waiting for it to snap. But, it's done its' job for two years but it's ruined for this year and we'll have to reconsider getting a proper greenhouse. Thanks for your review ☺️
That's too bad! They don't last all that long but as I mentioned in the video location and weather conditions plays a huge part in it as well. Luckily I'm very sheltered. My birchtree poly is now 4 years old and still going strong. We've only just built the 'upgraded' Outsunny model on my mum's new plot and that seems stronger, video on that one up hopefully next week! 😀
Just put one of these up last week , got a wooden base which I painted with bituminous paint and staked it in each corner as well as using pipe clips to secure the frame to the base, and used anti hotspot tape on the frame hopefully I will get 5 years🤞🤞
Sounds good and durable! I think you'll definitely get 5 years. I'm expecting 5 years from mine, hopefully. My birchtree one is now 4 years old and still going strong
Yes my poly tunnel lasted 18 months but was abducted by aliens one night (high winds) and never seen again. The week part was ripped area around the plastic door. Left with the frame only. However, my husband has managed to reuse and enforce the frame, secured well on battens like yourself, used a very high duty netting ( from a farmers store), made a door on a batten frame which opens outwards, able to close it tight using 4 velco placed strips along the door area. This has been made to keep out the deer etc who enter our garden particularly at night time. Overall, already had the wood etc just cost the price of the netting totalling £46.00. So looking forward to using it this year.
Abducted my aliens 😂 That's a great idea, I'm glad you've managed to turn something broken into something useable again! I've seen a lot of people using the frame as a fruit cage, what do you plan on growing in it???
Probably keep them closed although it probably wouldn't make much difference. I'd think wind would get in and blow the cover off if the vents were open though
Do you think your lack of overlapping plastic is because its raised slightly since you fixed to to the timber beams at the base instead of allowing it to just sit on the earth?
No, I measured the overlapping plastic from where it overlaps past the bottom of the frame/metal bars themselves. It goes roughly 6 inches past the bars at most. It's probably just enough to bury and get away with it but comparing it to my other (larger) polytunnel, it's much less and the overlapping plastic is often used as a means of anchoring it to the ground by burying it into the ground 😊
@nicolemarie1508 as I said in my first comment, from my research, there doesn’t seem to be a middle of the road option, I bought an Outsunny tunnel as a stop gap while I built my first tunnels one. They are the company I have gone for. The ‘first tunnels’ website is excellent and you can customise your tunnel to suit your needs. The customer service is excellent as well. Hope this is of some help to you. Northern tunnels is another company, but they are a bit more expensive than first tunnels.
@nicolemarie1508 ‘first tunnels’ or‘northern tunnels. I went with first tunnels, great website where you can customise your tunnel and the customer support is excellent. Hope this is of some help.
Very true, they're cheap and aren't designed to last as long as the likes of first tunnels. Good if you're on a budget (like me) and don't mind doing a bit extra to strengthen and secure it, and plan on getting just a few seasons out of it. I plan on getting a first tunnels polytunnel when I can afford to do so
They are not fit for purpose, that’s the truth. It’s falling apart after one year! Don’t know how anyone can recommend them. There is definitely a gap in the market for a reasonably priced, fair quality poly tunnel.
If you've not already watched the original build and review video of this polytunnel one year ago, you can do so by clicking here:
ruclips.net/video/5fAoxQhdymE/видео.html
Glad to have watched this video as i had no idea about the hotspot tape.
It helps quite a lot. I will say though, it's a good idea to make sure it's on the support bars that run along the top of the poly as well as the hoops. As the cover can also touch those as well if it isn't tight
@@downtoearthwithjim where can you find this i cant locate any on amazon or google im from the US if that matters
Ours is on concrete and my husband secured it down by drilling it into the floor and then bolted it. It's also screwed to our wooden fence so the frame doesn't move anywhere, despite the bad British weather. But the cover on the other hand, it has been ripped off several times by the winds, and I totally agree about the degradation of the netting, ours has disintegrated, and the algae build up is awful. The cover doesn't really fit properly so it didn't fit to the frame exactly as it should. The framework has also rusted really badly and is disconnecting itself from other parts so I'm just waiting for it to snap. But, it's done its' job for two years but it's ruined for this year and we'll have to reconsider getting a proper greenhouse. Thanks for your review ☺️
That's too bad! They don't last all that long but as I mentioned in the video location and weather conditions plays a huge part in it as well. Luckily I'm very sheltered. My birchtree poly is now 4 years old and still going strong. We've only just built the 'upgraded' Outsunny model on my mum's new plot and that seems stronger, video on that one up hopefully next week! 😀
Just put one of these up last week , got a wooden base which I painted with bituminous paint and staked it in each corner as well as using pipe clips to secure the frame to the base, and used anti hotspot tape on the frame hopefully I will get 5 years🤞🤞
Sounds good and durable! I think you'll definitely get 5 years. I'm expecting 5 years from mine, hopefully. My birchtree one is now 4 years old and still going strong
Yes my poly tunnel lasted 18 months but was abducted by aliens one night (high winds) and never seen again. The week part was ripped area around the plastic door. Left with the frame only. However, my husband has managed to reuse and enforce the frame, secured well on battens like yourself, used a very high duty netting ( from a farmers store), made a door on a batten frame which opens outwards, able to close it tight using 4 velco placed strips along the door area. This has been made to keep out the deer etc who enter our garden particularly at night time. Overall, already had the wood etc just cost the price of the netting totalling £46.00. So looking forward to using it this year.
Abducted my aliens 😂
That's a great idea, I'm glad you've managed to turn something broken into something useable again! I've seen a lot of people using the frame as a fruit cage, what do you plan on growing in it???
The doors are always a weak point in these tunnels. this is why a lot of people tend to put a wooden doorway in them
True, I may do something like that in the future with one of the two polys. Failing that I may just invest in a better one
Thanks Jim
No problem 😊
It seems like the cover is the main weakness. Could you keep the frame and get a proper cover and bury it in the ground? It might save a bit.
Really useful and well presented video thanks.
Glad you found it useful 😁 thanks for watching!
The loose panels at the door.. can you secure them with double sided tape onto the frame?
I could do that, yes. That's a really good idea and I may try that this year and see how it goes
during a wind storm is it best to cover up the vents or keep them open?
Probably keep them closed although it probably wouldn't make much difference. I'd think wind would get in and blow the cover off if the vents were open though
Do you think your lack of overlapping plastic is because its raised slightly since you fixed to to the timber beams at the base instead of allowing it to just sit on the earth?
No, I measured the overlapping plastic from where it overlaps past the bottom of the frame/metal bars themselves. It goes roughly 6 inches past the bars at most. It's probably just enough to bury and get away with it but comparing it to my other (larger) polytunnel, it's much less and the overlapping plastic is often used as a means of anchoring it to the ground by burying it into the ground 😊
@@downtoearthwithjim Ummm. I was considering buying that one. Great review 👍.
@@TheBeginnerGardener the birchtree one which you can find on Amazon is better than the Outsunny one in my opinion
I changed the plastic on my tunnel, to Horticulture tunnel plastic.
Much more durable and longer lasting, id like to do the same with mine once the cover degrades
You have to upgrade! All of them. Not a dang one will last if you dont add to the protection.
Eventually I'll be replacing the cover. And ultimately my plan will to buy a much better polytunnel. A professional one
I see you standing in the middle of the grow house and just like to ask ? How tall are you?
I'm 6ft 3"
@@downtoearthwithjim perfect,now I know my Costco metal rack will fit right down the center.
Thank you for your response
Thr frames pretty good.. 🤔
They aren't too bad but my birch tree polytunnel which I've had nearly 5 years has thicker frame
They're crap. I've lost 3 in the last few years. Invest in a decent one, people
exactly, it is an investment a good poly tunnel, but it will last and more importantly, you will enjoy being in it and growing in it.
Any suggestions on brands?
@nicolemarie1508 as I said in my first comment, from my research, there doesn’t seem to be a middle of the road option, I bought an Outsunny tunnel as a stop gap while I built my first tunnels one. They are the company I have gone for.
The ‘first tunnels’ website is excellent and you can customise your tunnel to suit your needs. The customer service is excellent as well. Hope this is of some help to you. Northern tunnels is another company, but they are a bit more expensive than first tunnels.
@nicolemarie1508 ‘first tunnels’ or‘northern tunnels. I went with first tunnels, great website where you can customise your tunnel and the customer support is excellent. Hope this is of some help.
Very true, they're cheap and aren't designed to last as long as the likes of first tunnels. Good if you're on a budget (like me) and don't mind doing a bit extra to strengthen and secure it, and plan on getting just a few seasons out of it. I plan on getting a first tunnels polytunnel when I can afford to do so
They are not fit for purpose, that’s the truth. It’s falling apart after one year! Don’t know how anyone can recommend them. There is definitely a gap in the market for a reasonably priced, fair quality poly tunnel.
You get what you pay for