A polytunnel is a magnificent gardening space at any time of year, but particularly when it’s throwing it down outside.
With 60+ hour weeks at work (including Saturday AND Sunday), it’s been rather challenging getting to our polytunnel over the last couple of manically busy weeks. I’m itching to get out there and get growing!
Gardening in April
April, when every green thumb anxiously awaits digging in the dirt, de-winterizing and getting their Polytunnel back to looking its best in anticipation of a long warm summer ahead. And if the weather forecasters are right, we might be in for a hot summer to make up for the disastrously wet winter.
The days are getting longer and perhaps a little warmer, if only in our imagination. There are plenty of jobs to be done in the comfort of your Polytunnel while your wind-swept, waterlogged allotment neighbours are struggling to get going and still waiting for their soil to warm up.
April is a wonderful time to think about buying a polytunnel. Between the April showers, you may have some sunny days which are perfect for polytunnel construction, and perhaps some time off over the Easter break to get on with the job. The good thing about getting started at this time of year is that there are still plenty of plants that you can sow for a harvest this year.
Water + Ventilation
April is the month when the Polytunnel Gardener has to start taking care of two vitally important things– ventilation and watering. Open the doors throughout any sunny days but don’t forget to close them at night.
Maintenance
Now is also a great time to assess your gardening tools and to get them into working order. Remove rust spots and oil hinges, and replace the ones that are irreparable
Getting all these little tasks out of the way now and by preparing your Polytunnel ready for the busy growing season ahead will ensure that you get the most out of your Polytunnel when the time comes to enjoy and reap the delightful, delicious rewards whilst chilling in the sun on a lounger during the summer months.
Early spring is the time to take action against weeds with some pro-active weeding. Damp soil makes it much easier to pull young weed seedlings. Don’t try to compost weeds. They’ll come back to haunt you.
Now is the ideal time for dividing or transplanting. Try to do this as soon as possible after the plant emerges. It’s amazing how quickly plants recover from this abuse if you catch them early, they’ll soon be raring to grow.
