Poly Tunnel Design project.
This project will include an overview, goals articulation,survey, poly tunnel design, implementation,video's and appendix.
Over view
There was a green house on the allotment project version 1, this changed when Dave and John took over the allotment next door we decided to build a poly tunnel together sharing the work and cost. Poly tunnel design has evolved over many years with improvements in plastic films they have Anti-Ultraviolet light coating for prolonged service with greater light transfer capabilities. We researched design from First tunnels direct and checked out many you-tube video's and had site visits at our allotment site and Ecoworks for ideas in recycled designs.
Goals articulation
The reasons for building a poly tunnel are many bringing forward the start of the growing season and extending the season in Autumn, having the ability to control the environment and range of plants to be grown, whilst being relativity easy to construct and at an fordable cost with the added benefit of 3 people looking after the maintenance and watering. As with other projects on the allotment site to we are trying to push our recycling agenda.
Survey
The site survey was carried out as a part of the allotment project the ground is level form north to south with a 1m height gain in the last 2m in the from of a step. The area near the back of the site grids H2,3 and I 2,3 look suitable for the poly tunnel there is protection from the wind by the hedge on the south boundary. The tunnel will be orientated east west to take full advantage of the suns tracking. This is also the most secure place for protection from vandalism and will integrated with the chicken project later. The soil is a mixed loam on a sand sub soil. The water tank is 30m away however a new water pipe will be installed later and rain water harvesting from the shed will be 2m from the tunnel.