You’ve made the great decision to invest in a polytunnel and now you’re wondering what size of polytunnel you should get. You have asked your fellow allotmenteers and gardening friends, and they’ve all said “get the biggest you can!” Maybe you’ve asked us and we’ve said (as we always say) that “whatever size you get, you will always fill it.”
Deciding how big a polytunnel you need can be tricky, so we’ve put together this guide with a list of things to consider to help you decide:
Available space
Often, the size of polytunnel you get will be determined by the space you have available. Once you have decided on the location and measured the space, you can choose the most suitable polytunnel from the
many sizes for sale.
We recommend leaving enough space around the sides and ends of the polytunnel to ensure you have comfortable working space for building the polytunnel and for future maintenance tasks.
When considering the available space, you may also want to think about how you want to position the polytunnel – do you want a North to South orientation, for example – and whether the ground is on a slope.
Available budget
Another main factor that can determine what size of polytunnel you opt for is the budget you would like to allocate to your purchase.
Polytunnels are a great investment for gardeners and anyone wanting to live more sustainably. A quality polytunnel that stands the test of time may not be cheap, but it does offer excellent value. Investing in a good quality polytunnel will pay back your investment and more over its lifetime.
How much do you want to grow?
If you have ample space and budget at your disposal, then the size of polytunnel you choose may largely depend on how much you actually want to grow.
If you’re using a polytunnel to grow your own food, thinking about how many people your homegrown food will feed can help you decide how many plants you need or want to grow. Consider the crops you will be growing and how much space each plant might need throughout the year.
If you want to sow and pot on picture-perfect florals in your polytunnel until they are ready to move outside to adorn your garden, consider the number of plants you want to raise in the polytunnel.
You may be a market gardener or growing plants on a larger commercial scale and need a large polytunnel to suit the amount of produce you want to grow.
Layout and growing methods
It is worth taking the time to plan out your ideal
polytunnel layout on paper before deciding what size of polytunnel to get. Plot out your blank canvas carefully to ensure you make the most of your space and enjoy a rewarding and comfortable growing experience.
Considering your growing methods and mapping out your vision can help you decide how large a polytunnel you should choose. Think about whether you want to grow exclusively in
raised beds or if you want to grow in the ground. You might want to grow in containers and have a spot for hanging baskets and grow bags. You might want to include an area for a
staging bench or two for sowing seeds and pricking out seedlings, and an area for storing tools.
You should also think about the floor and plan the paths you will need to manoeuvre between and tend your crops.
Time… and watering!
Growing your own veg, fruit and flowers is incredibly rewarding – it can also be hard work and a big time commitment. When
choosing what size of polytunnel is right for you, think about how many hours a week you can and want to put into your polytunnel garden.
A large polytunnel full of crops that need your care and attention may be too overwhelming, especially during the height of summer when you need to stay on top of a busy watering schedule.
When it comes to watering crops in a smaller polytunnel, a watering can and 30 minutes a day might be all you need. Whereas for a larger polytunnel you may want to think about easier solutions, such as manually-operated or automatic
overhead irrigation systems.
Let us help you grow in a polytunnel all year round
Polytunnels help you grow crops all year round, making them a wise investment for any keen gardener. Whether you're buying your first polytunnel or need to replace your existing one, we can help.
At Premier Polytunnels, we have been helping professionals and beginners with their polytunnel needs for
over 35 years. We offer a range of polytunnels in different sizes designed to suit a variety of growing needs, so you can find a suitable option for your outdoor space.
Want help choosing what size of polytunnel you should get? Contact us on
01282 811250 or email
info@premierpolytunnels.co.uk to speak to one of our experts today.