18 February 2025
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Becky Searle explains how to successfully grow these delectable fruits
There are so many options for turn inside a polytunnel , but for me , my favourite are tomatoes and chilli . Compared with what is available in supermarkets , the alternative available to the home grower is astonishing . I have a go at it choosing off - the - wall miscellany like ‘ spaghetti ’ chillies with their weird , curly , long shapes and ‘ dour galax ’ tomatoes with their splendid colours and pattern . But neither tomatoes nor chillies are designed to grow in this country .
chilly need a slew of warmth to develop and even more to become spicy . They produce the spice compounds as a response to heat or drought strain . A chilli outside may grow well , specially in a warm year , but it will belike scramble to create a proper “ kick ” .
avoid love apple blight under cover
Tomatoes , on the other hand , will farm bright outdoors when it is lovesome enough , but they are particularly susceptible to blight . Here in the southwestern United States , they ’re all but inconceivable to grow alfresco . July arrive , and the distinctive nightlong wilt disease and decompose get with it . This is because we get a mickle of rainfall and humidity . Even so - called “ blight - resistant ” sort scramble in some years . In a polytunnel , it is possible to regularise the humidness and keep the leaves dry to reduce the chances of get blight . If you do struggle with blight , I highly advocate investing in side ventilation for your burrow , rather with a concealment , to keep the passion in overnight or during the coolheaded months . Whilst a polytunnel does have ventilation at both ends , when there is little snap in the summertime , the humidity within the polytunnel will otherwise build . This is because plant forever draw water up through their roots and fall back it through their farewell . Water will also vaporize from the filth ’s Earth’s surface , mold condensation and humid air travel . Side airing is merely a panel of mesh that keeps pest out and countenance airflow , aid regulate humidness .
give tomatoes the backup they need
One of my favored things about growing tomatoes in a poly burrow is that you could support them from the material body . I usually attach some warm string(I use a macrame cord ) to the tunnel frame of reference above my plant and then anchor it into the soil using a landscape gardening staple ortent peg . Then , as the plant life grows , I twist it around the string . This gives it all the living it need for as mellow as it can go . This means I can grow tomato to their full potential , harvesting heaps of beautiful fruits all time of year without fear of breakage .
While hold in the amount of piss you give your plant is undoubtedly a good affair , it can have its downsides if – like me – you wish go away during the summer ! If this is the pillowcase , I extremely advocate investing in an automatic lacrimation organisation or making very good friends with your neighbor , as regular watering in warmer month is essential .
Whatever you choose to cultivate in your polytunnel , you could make your own microclimate , extend the develop time of year and travel rapidly up growth . For foresightful - season , warmth - loving plant life , this indoor mature space is a must .
