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9 Creative Small Polytunnel Ideas for Your Garden
Discover 9 creative and small polytunnel ideas for your garden. From creating raised bed frames to growing your own fruits and vegetables with W M James!
Your garden is a space where you can be creative and completely make it your own.
From the flower choice and arrangement to the decorations you choose to adorn it with, your garden is an extension of your personality and a place to relax and unwind from life’s daily stressors.
There are many different types of garden features that you can use to make your outdoor space a more enjoyable place, and a small polytunnel can provide you with endless possibilities.
The great thing about using a small polytunnel is you don't need to have a big garden or budget, as these are great for even the smallest of gardens. Just because you have a small garden, it doesn’t mean you can’t make the most of it.
In fact, we think a small garden can easily be transformed into a charming, inviting space with the right additions.
Whether you were already considering adding a small polytunnel to your garden or just looking for some inspiration, we've got nine creative polytunnel ideas that you can easily try out in your home garden.
What are the Benefits of Using a Small Polytunnel?
Small or mini polytunnels are fantastic for smaller gardens as they are much more compact than regular polytunnels, which can be quite large and consume a lot of space.
Increased Protection from the Elements
A small polytunnel provides protection from the elements for your plants, protecting them from extremes in temperature. They also provide windbreaks to help reduce the effects of strong winds.
Provides a Longer Growing Season
The main benefit of a small polytunnel is that it extends the growing season, so plants can be kept in the tunnel for longer periods.
A plastic polytunnel cover will create a humid microclimate inside the tunnel, which can benefit some plants.
Keeping Out Pests
Using a small polytunnel can help keep out larger pests that may target your plants outside of the tunnel, such as slugs and snails and even rabbits. This means enjoying your garden without worrying about pests ruining your hard work.
You've essentially got yourself a portable plant protector!
Creating a More Aesthetically Pleasing Garden Space
Mini polytunnels can be used for creative purposes, too! You can use them to create a more visually pleasing garden space by arranging plants in an aesthetically pleasing way or adding colourful decorations.
If you're looking for some inspiration on how to use a small polytunnel in your garden, here are nine creative ideas:
1. Grow Your Own Vegetables
A mini polytunnel can be an easy way to start growing your own vegetables. You can create your own mini vegetable garden in the polytunnel and enjoy the fresh produce right from your own backyard.
You can plant some staples like tomatoes, squash, cucumbers or lettuce and use them for delicious salads or in your favourite recipes.
Make sure you know which vegetable crops to plant and harvest according to the seasons.
2. Start a Plant Nursery
If you’re a plant-lover, why not start your own nursery in the comfort of your garden?
Using small polytunnels to create a nursery will help you protect your plants from frost and other unexpected weather conditions. This is an especially good idea if you live in an area with cold winters.
You can use the polytunnel to propagate cuttings, start seeds or even grow some of your more delicate plants.
You could even sell your plant cuttings or seedlings to your friends, family or even the public.
3. Create a Climbing Plants Paradise
Climbing plants such as honeysuckle, clematis and roses love to grow in a mini polytunnel environment. They'll give you an amazing array of beautiful flowers during the summer months, and planting them within a small polytunnel will give them their own dedicated space to grow.
You can also plant some of your favourite scented plants in the polytunnel, and you'll have a heavenly-scented garden all year round!
Make sure you use trellises to support the plants, as they can become too heavy for the polytunnel’s frame. You must ensure you correctly train the plants and regularly prune them.
Your polytunnel will also need to be tall enough that the plants can reach their full height.
4. Set Up a Herb Garden
Herbs are a great addition to any garden and even better when grown in mini tunnels. Not only is it easier to pick the herbs you need for your cooking, but you'll also be able to enjoy them fresh from the garden!
You can create your own special herb garden with some of your favourite herbs, and you can even experiment with different combinations of plants to see what works best for you.
You should try planting herbs such as oregano, thyme, parsley, basil and mint in your mini polytunnel – even if you're not a serious gardener, herbs are pretty easy to look after, and they'll add a great flavour to your cooking!
5. Grow Exotic Plants
An array of exotic plants will thrive in a mini polytunnel environment, and they can add an interesting element to your garden.
You could grow small tropical flowers like hibiscus, orchids and bromeliads.
Just make sure you do your research – some of these exotic plants may require special considerations, such as increased humidity levels or different pruning techniques so that you can give them the best possible environment.
6. Create a Fragrant Garden
There's nothing better than sweet-smelling flowers in your garden, and a mini polytunnel is a perfect place to grow these plants.
You can plant fragrant flowers such as roses, jasmine, lavender or carnations to give your garden an amazing scent all year round.
These flowers require plenty of sunlight and water to keep them blooming and in good health, so make sure you get the balance just right.
7. Create a Beautiful Flower Arrangement
A small polytunnel can help create a stunning flower arrangement in your garden. You can plant some of your favourite flowers in a pattern or design – great for those who are a bit more creative!
You should also be aware of which flowers bloom at different times, so you can create a continuous display that will constantly change throughout the seasons.
Try planting some wildflowers, such as poppies, daisies or cornflowers, to give your garden a more natural and informal look.
You can create something to be proud of, and a polytunnel will mean that your creation is protected from pests or bad weather.
8. Build a Mini Greenhouse
A greenhouse is a great way to extend the growing season, and a mini polytunnel can be the perfect solution.
It offers your plants protection from the elements, but you can also control the temperature and humidity within the tunnel to ensure they get the best conditions possible.
This Grower Frame is ideal for a small greenhouse, and the poly cover will help keep the plants warm and cosy.
9. Set Up a Children’s Gardening Area
Every parent knows that children love playing outdoors, so why not give them their own special gardening area? This way, you won't have to worry about your own plants being trampled, and you can encourage your children to engage in gardening.
Give them space to grow their own simple plants, like wildflowers, sunflowers, or some veg varieties, and allow them to experiment with different things.
This can be a great way to introduce children to nature and gardening; they will love having their own space to work in. Plus, you won't have to worry about any mess being made!
It's always best to supervise your children when they’re out in the garden, especially if they use gardening tools or anything sharp. A mini polytunnel is a great way to keep them safe and contained, allowing them to explore without major risks.
Wrapping Up: Using Mini Polytunnels to Create Beautiful Gardens
Your garden should be a space where you can relax and enjoy the outdoors, and a mini polytunnel can help bring your garden to life.
Whether you're looking for somewhere to grow beautiful, aromatic plants or a place to start a mini vegetable patch, a polytunnel is a great addition to any garden.
Plus, you'll be satisfied knowing that your plants are protected from pests and harsh weather. So why not give it a try? You might be surprised at how much fun it can be!
Shop our selection of gardening tunnels
FAQs
Are polytunnels better than greenhouses?
A small polytunnel can be a good option if you don't have the garden space to set up a greenhouse. They are also cheaper and easier to maintain than greenhouses, offering great protection to your plants.
How small can a polytunnel be?
Polytunnels can be bought in various sizes, from small to large. If you're looking for something compact and easy to manage, a mini polytunnel is the perfect option.
Do polytunnels stay warm in winter?
Yes, polytunnels can help keep your plants warm in the winter. The Polythene cover traps heat and creates a greenhouse effect, which helps to keep the temperature regulated even when it's cold outside.
Does a polytunnel need to be in full sun?
Ideally, your polytunnel should be in an area of your garden that gets the most sun. This will help keep your plants warm and give them the best chance of prospering.
However, you can also position it in a spot with some shade, as this will provide some respite from the intense summer heat.
Related Products
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