Is it possible to make a polytunnel from our old
trampoline?
Tunnel Vision
I’ve turned into an embarrassment again with the young
‘uns. My mobile phone is apparently
really outdated; the last time I was this out of touch was when my phone had a
three inch aerial sticking out of the top and was shaped like a brick.
Now I am faced with getting a smart phone, something that
can take up more time in my day. I have
a limited vocabulary when it comes to texting on a numeric keypad on my old
phone and usually just end up saying “OK” as a reply to almost everything as I
can’t be bothered to press the little digits more than a few times before I get
bored. The new smart phones would do
away with all of that as they have proper keypads so I could write “That’s OK
instead”, before falling into a bored stupor.
I have to weigh the facts though. Do I NEED new phone? Or do I WANT a new phone? I started looking at the cheapest contract
ones and they work out cheaper than the pay tariff as you go I am on now. Alas though, these phones are out of date (by
tekky standards) and the newer-faster-smarter phones are twice the cost, but
they have all sorts of gizmos to play with.
I am really confused about it, mainly because I would happily live
without a phone if I could.
I have other dilemmas when it comes to buying and getting value
for money too. I have cleared a spot in
the garden (got rid of the trampoline) and have enough room for a polythene
tunnel. It wouldn’t be a big one by any
standards, I have an area of 12 feet by 20 feet to fill (4mx6m) but there are
so many different types that I am as confused about tunnels as I am by phones.
I initially spent a happy hour trying to make a polytunnel frame from the
trampoline poles... I’m sure that I could do it but my lads insist they will be
using it again in the summer.
Comparisons
My last tunnel was 30 feet long and heavy duty so could withstand
the strongest winds coming off the Swilly.
I could get a smaller version of that, which would cost me about 600
euro which seems a bit steep. The area
where the tunnel is going is in a really sheltered space too surrounded by (but
not in the shade of) trees, hedges and a wall, so I was thinking of something a
bit more lightweight. I pondered over a
greenhouse but a new glass type that size would cost over 1000 euro and if you
buy one second hand it’s usually “buyer to dismantle and collect” Now I don’t
know if you have ever dismantled a greenhouse but generally you are left with a
pile of aluminium strips that you don’t have a clue how to put back together
again and a few bags of broken panes of glass... So I have discounted that line
of buying.
Choices
There are other cheaper types of polytunnels on the market
and an ever growing amount of companies bending galvanised tubing into
hoops. The coverings seem different too
and range from thick clear plastic to hazy plastic and covers which sandwich
green mesh in between layers which is supposed to give both strength and shade.
They all have 5 year or more guarantees so chances are any will do the job
effectively. The design I am looking for
in the hoops if for them to have straight sides. The tunnel will be small enough without me
being unable to get into the edges with benches or vegetable beds, so every
inch of space is needed. This thankfully
cuts down the choices of companies as not all of them produce this type of
design.
Cheaper models don’t seem to have wooden door frames either
and rely on zip flaps similar to a tent, which will let you push a wheelbarrow
through but I am wondering if it’s heavy duty enough.
It’s going to take me a bit of time to come up with the
ideal tunnel for my needs; I will have to weigh up all of the options before
buying. I’ll have to be realistic about the price too, I know it will cost me a
few hundred euro to get a good one but it will be worth the extra money. I have
to take into consideration any extras such as black plastic for the flooring or
the cost of putting in raised beds... and buying plants and seeds for that
matter. It all adds up.
