Leaving crops to the vagaries of the UK weather and vulnerable to the attack of a whole range of pests is always risky. So here are some options to protect your seedlings, young plants and maturing crops
PRO GRO NET TUNNEL CLOCHE
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This Pro Gro Net Tunnel features flexible carbon fibre rods to maintain shape and tension, with ballast pockets and guy ropes for wind stability. It has a large zipped door for ease of access which can also be opened and closed to help regulate heat, humidity and airflow. It will protect crops from birds, rodents, and cabbage white butterflies.
GARDENSKILL
www.gardenskill.com
TEL: 01902 725055
PRODUCT CODE: N/A
PRICE: £50.98
KG VERDICT
This is an excellent netted tunnel. The flexible carbon rods need to be slotted together and then threaded through the stitched pockets to form each hoop. It can then be stood up, stabilised with the guy ropes and securely positioned with the metal pegs. The zipped door offers easy access to plants and also extra aeration if needed. The stitching on the netting is strong and overall this is a very well designed tunnel, providing superb protection for your plants, especially brassicas and strawberries. This one is L3 X W1 x H1m. Various other sizes are available.
BLACK MODULAR HOOP TUNNEL KITS
This black hoop garden tunnel kit includes all the hoop rods, joiners, netting and clips needed to create a flexible hoop tunnel. The black rods are each 900mm (3½ft) in length and are connected with joiners with a middle support bar for extra stability. There is a range of covers to choose from according to your particular requirements. The covers can be fixed to the hoops using the clips provided.
GARDENING NATURALLY
www.gardening-naturally.com
TEL: 01285 760505
PRODUCT CODE: BHT9
PRICES FROM: £9.59
KG VERDICT
This tunnel kit is very easy to put together. Simply slot together the two parts of each rod with a joiner to form the hoop and then join the rods together with the central bar rods. This one has a fine netting cover to protect leeks from leaf miner and leek moth, but there is an excellent range of cover options, including bird netting, fleece, thermacrop, fine veggiemesh, and polythene, and different lengths from 900m (3½ft) to 5.4m (6yd). The hoops are quite flexible too, so if they are erected 1.2m (4ft) wide they will stand approximately. 600mm (2ft) high. If they are erected at 75cm (30in) wide this will increase the height slightly. Versatile and flexible.
COMPACT GROWER FRAME
The structure of this Grower Frame consists of tubular, black powder-coated, steel rods which slot together to make a sturdy, rust-resistant frame. The cover is made from heavy-duty polythene to protect seedlings and young plants from inclement weather and pests, whilst at the same time providing much needed warmth in spring and autumn. Size W1 x H1 x L1.5m (W39 x H39 x L59in).
HAXNICKS
www.haxnicks.co.uk
TEL: 01179341795
PRODUCT CODE: FRAME230101
PRICE: £69.99
KG VERDICT
This can be assembled very quickly by simply slotting the framework together and then adding the cover. This is secured to the base of the framework with Velcro ties. The very large zipped front provides easy access with insect-proof windows providing ventilation if needed. You can use it as a cover for crops or as a min-greenhouse to provide that extra warmth for seedlings and young plants in spring and overwintering crops from autumn onwards. It is very light and therefore very portable. Pegs are provided but in case of strong winds you might need to weight it down.
EASY FLEECE TUNNEL
Easy Fleece Tunnels are made are made from U.V. stabilised 45 gsm heavyweight polypropylene fleece and rust resistant galvanised steel hoops to protect crops from pests and harsh weather. The fleece allows sunlight and moisture to filter through whilst at the same time creating warmth and insulation. Standard size – W45 x H30 x L300cm (W1½ x H1 x L10ft).
KNOWLE NETS
www.knowlenets.co.uk
TEL: 01308 424342
PRODUCT CODE: ETUN050101
PRICE: £20.49
KG VERDICT
These fleece tunnels are very easy to set tup. The hoops are built in and it’s simply a matter of pushing the extended legs of each hoop in to the soil and then working your way along. There is a guy rope at each end to stretch and stabilise the cover. Very simple to set up and a great product for proving that extra bit of warmth for early sowing in spring. A larger size is also available.
SEEDLING TUNNELS
These Haxnicks Seedling Tunnels (pack of three) are made from tough U.V. stabilised polythene and galvanised steel hoops, creating a warm and moist microclimate and protecting seedlings from harsh weather and pests. Dimensions: L80 x W18 x H12cm (L31 x W7 x H4¾in).
MARSHALLS GARDEN
www.marshallsgarden.com
TEL: 01480 774555
PRODUCT CODE: 10903272
PRICE: £14.99
KG VERDICT
If you’re sowing direct to your veg patch in spring, these seedling tunnels will come in handy. Each tunnel opens out like a concertina with inbuilt hoops. Each hoop – with its extended legs at the base – just needs to be inserted into the soil to create a warm and protective tunnel. Great for starting off salad crops, including lettuce, spring onions and radishes, and setting them in place takes seconds!
