A practical guide to growing fruit and vegetables in polytunnels, for beginners and experienced gardeners.

‘Until now, there has been next to no information available on how to make the best use of a polytunnel. The Joyce and Ben Russel team have filled that gap, showing us in clear, precise detail how to erect and manage polytunnels, and above all, what to grow in them.’ Joy Larkcom

The Polytunnel Book is the most comprehensive, practical month-to-month growing guide to polytunnel gardening available. Whether you are a complete beginner, or a more experienced grower, this book has got what you need including information on:

• Preparing the site
• How to get the best from each crop
• Identifying and coping with pests
• Making a hotbed
• Composts and organic feeds
• Month-to-month planting plans for year-round growing 

But at the heart of this book is Joyce Russell's experienced hand guiding you through each month of the year. It tells what to do and when to do it, in order to grow the best fruit and vegetables all-year-round.

300 colour photographs illustrate the wealth of practical tips and techniques as well as celebrating what can be achieved. 

'A polytunnel offers a relatively cheap and simple way to tend crops undercover. And Joyce Russel tells exactly how to do it.’ Kitchen Garden Magazine

CONTENTS



Introduction

How to use this book



1: SETTING UP A POLYTUNNEL

Choosing the right location

Choosing the polytunnel

Preparing the land

Putting up a classic, hooped polytunnel

Laying out the inside of the polytunnel



2: A FEW ESSENTIALS

Some thoughts on seeds

Some thoughts on compost



3: A MONTH-BY-MONTH GUIDE TO A YEAR IN THE POLYTUNNEL

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December



4: FRUIT AND VEGETABLES AT A GLANCE

Aubergines

Basil

Beetroot

Broad beans (early crop)

Broccoli

(Spring) cabbage

Carrots (early crop)

Courgettes

Cucumbers

Figs

Florence fennel (as an overwinter crop)

French beans

Grapes

Kohl rabi

Lettuce

Melons

Peas (mangetout, as a spring crop)

Peaches and nectarines

Peppers

New potatoes

Pumpkins and squash

Salad leaves: rocket, mizuna, etc.

Spinach, spinach beet and Swiss chard

(Early) strawberries

Sweetcorn

Tomatoes





5: PESTS, DISEASES AND OTHER PROBLEMS - AN ORGANIC APPROACH

Some polytunnel pests

Some polytunnel diseases

Mineral deficiencies

Some physical problems



6: ONGOING CARE

Crop rotation in a polytunnel

Ten steps to soil health

Repairs and maintenance



7: MAKE YOUR OWN

How to make a hotbed

How to make your own potting mixes

How to make liquid feeds





List of suppliers

Glossary

Index

Acknowledgements