Okay. If you can, smooth off the end of the scaffold pole that is not going into the ground. Find the middle of the tunnel and place the pole on the inside tight up against the horizontal frame pole Knock in until it comes just above the horizontal pole. Repeat the other side. Take a break.
Guide to putting up a polytunnel. Part 2.
Next attach the bottom half. This is a two man job really. Make sure all poles are in firmly. Then wherever there is a join, attach a cable tie and pull tightly over the join. Attach so that when you cut the ends off they are pointing away from where the cove is going to lay.
Putting bottom half together.
Cable tie facing away from cover.
Guide to putting up a polytunnel. Part 1.
The polytunnels sold by the major companies today are superb. But, they are not within evreyone’s budget. There are cheaper versions out there. I bought the latter. Its been up now for three years. I live on the edge of the Viking Way and get some pretty full on winds. This hasn’t moved. In this series of blogs I will tell you how I put it up. Make sure the space you have chosen is free of obstructions and level. Get your bestest friend to help. Chose a windless day. Unpack carefully and lay out all the contents neatly in there positions. The equipment that you will need is as follows. 50 good quality cable ties, 1 roll of anti-hotspot tape, 2 scaffold poles 5ft, Long handled mallet, hammer, spade, sandwiches and cups of tea. Put together the top half as pet the instructions.
Putting top half together.
Can we help ouselves a little more.
The world is in a right old state. We are now as a country going through experiences not seen since the last war. But, in with the doom and gloom, the selfish members of our society that buy and hoard far more than they can ever use, in with all that there are the shining examples of selflessness and kindness. The members of local communities that check on our vulnerable citizens to make sure they are ok. Our NHS workers who are working so hard.
But have we become a society that relies on the fact that with one phone call or email almost anything can be delivered to our door? I was told recently that grow your own is now even more popular. I hope so. I hope when we come out of this awful experience we all if we can, turn to helping ourselves a bit more. I was caught out when all this started. My garden has nothing growing because I am re designing it. I shall start filling the polytunnel as soon as I can. I’m not saying that having a bed of potatoes is going to make any big difference, but GRO IS a small bit of independence from the supermarkets. GRO is fresher, readily available and easily accessible. We have land all over the UK that could be used for community gardens.
My new e book “The Strawbale Gardeners Handbook Vol 1” was released about the time we had become aware of this virus in this country. Its doing fairly well. I hope more people will take a look and it might encourage them to give it a grow.
Potatoes in Strawbales.
Gathering potatoes from a late crop in strawbales. Potatoes are one of the easiest vegetables to grow in strawbale gardening.
#VEXIT
I get a bit upset when I see people move into a new house, and immediately put down gravel etc. I think what a waste. I realise people lead busy lives and time is short. We are living in exiting and uncertain times. It makes sense in my opinion to help ourselves. I know probably more people than ever grow their own. I still feel that a lot are missing out. As I always say with strawbale gardening you don’t need soil, but whatever way you grow it makes pretty good sense. Scaremongers scream food shortages, I don’t think that holds much water. But we might have to go back to eating seasonal vegetables. Teaching our young people to grow produce should be more important than our education system makes it. Incentives for lower income families might work. Community growing spaces would provide food and bring people together. If you have never tried it, please give it a grow.
SOW A SEED GROW A WORLD!
Calling all Strawbale Suppliers.
Please would anybody who knows of any strawbale suppliers please get in touch. I am in the process of compiling a UK wide list. This includes farms/market gardens/farm shops etc. The bigger the list the better. please share. Get in touch here https://www.strawbaleveg.co.uk/get-in-touch
Strawbale Gardening explained in my DVD
This instructional DVD looks at all aspects of strawbale gardening. Paying special attention to the “maturing” of the strawbales. We show you strawbale systems for different situations. This programme covers the lot, with specialist instructions on growing a range of vegetables in straw. This is suited to the seasoned gardener or the absolute beginner. And remember NO soil needed. pick up a copy at https://www.strawbaleveg.co.uk/our-dvd
Fancy running your own Strawbale Gardening Workshops.
Fancy running your own strawbale gardening workshops for your friends etc?
Strawbale Gardening and Curries.
I love hearing about the success stories when people start growing vegetables in strawbales. With food prices going up it really does make good financial sense to “have a grow”. Last night I was talking to a friend about vegetable curries and how few people attempt to make one. Virtually any veg will do. I always start off with some mustard seeds and oil in a pan. Then add onions, garlic, chillies, cumin etc. Chop your veg and get it covered in the curry paste. We both agreed that coconut milk was great, so in with that. Simmer, then I personally like to add potatoes. Simple and very tasty.
Marrows .
A team of marrows.
Hello. Every year I say when I start to organise my strawbale garden that I “will not grow so many marrows this year”. And every year I seem to do the opposite. Mark you they never go to waste. I have friends and family who live them. I’m going to try making marrow chutney so if anyone has a recipe I would be obliged.
And We Are Off.
Hello. I have ordered my strawbales. Look for good tidy bales with tight baling twine. I will be trialing some new seeds this year as well as the old favourites. Please let me know of any strawbale stockists so that I can add them to our database. Will you all also make it a point to encourage your friends to grow even a little produce. In this busy world I realise it is hard. I will be taking lots of photos and videos this season so keep watch. See you soon and good growing.
The New Growing Season.
Hello. The new season will soon be upon us. With all the speculation of food shortages and panic buying, I wonder if it has made a difference to what you grow and the amount you grow. I do not think there will be any significant difference. And I will not be panic buying. But with all of that said, look at the ridiculous amount people buy over Christmas. And we know that comes around every year. I’m certainly going to use my growing space to the maximum. If this situation encourages a few people to plant a few seeds then all to the good. I am just in the process of ordering some varieties of beetroot for my seed shop. I did so well last year with growing my marrows in old straw that I will be posting a blog on it very soon. My foray with sweetcorn last year was getting on fantastically. My best friend advised me to harvest it. I said to him give it one more week. Before the said week was out they had all been struck down with some sort of pest. To say I was gutted is an understatement. My pal still keeps reminding me of his advice. Still that's gardening. Ill give the sweetcorn another crack this season.
Get Up And GROW.
The Three Veg Challenge.
I would love for everyone that possibly could to grow at least three different types of vegetables. It certainly couldn't hurt could it? With record numbers of people being forced to use food banks and ongoing uncertainty over Brexit it makes sense. So what’s stopping us? Time and the ease of going to the supermarkets I guess. But sowing a few seeds or planting a few cabbage plants really does not take up that much time. And they will taste so much better. Even if you have no soil you can use my very favourite method of strawbale gardening, which means you do not need soil, ever. I think councils could take a lead in this by turning some waste ground into community vegetable plots. Just look what they have achieved in Todmorden. A shining example of a community coming together. If maybe a few residents in one street or small area all grew veg then they could swap produce, thus getting a bigger selection. Children would love it. It would get them away from the computer and they would be learning a valuable life lesson.
Please share this to anyone who you think might benefit from having a grow.
Thanks Simon
Get Our Children Growing
Runner Beans.
White Emergo Organic
If you have never tried to grow runner beans, then make this the year to have a crack. When harvesting them your positive you have picked all the sizable specimens, then you turn over a big green leaf and find another handful. Great grown in a strawbale garden, or in a conventional plot. You will be popular with the neighbours because there's usually plenty to go around. Use in soups, stews, stir fry's risotto's etc. Try making runner bean chutney. Don't be put off by the colour it is fabulous. Try my choice for this year. White Emergo. A great organic variety. to purchase and get more info go to our seeds page. Thanks Strawbale Simon.
Strawbaleveg Seeds.
New vegetable seed packet design.
Our new range of seeds are due to start arriving this week. Our seeds are mostly all organic. Our packs though are a little different at no extra charge. You receive your seeds but, also in our packs we have put simple biodegradable seed/plant markers plus a pencil. Also a sheet with planting instructions. Also the sheets are going to start to have an increasing amount of information, such as. Companion plant information. Difficulty of growing guide. Recipes for that particular vegetable. And general hints to help you. We would love to hear from anyone with anything they think might be useful to other gardeners. And if we use it you will receive a strawbaleveg goody bag. We will steadily increase our range so keep an eye on our seed page.
Strawbale Gardening Moving Forward. 3.
When the strawbale comes off the bailing machine it obviously gets cut. This is the side we want to plant into. It is noticeably different from the uncut side. ( Correct side pictured). You will observe the Straw pointing upwards, making it ideal to plant or sow into.
Strawbale Gardening Moving Foward. 2.
Your strawbale is very precious, its the foundation on which you superb vegetables rely. When buying one, make sure the bailing twine is in good condition and not frayed, and is tight around the strawbale. Plan where you intend to sight your bale and get it in position BEFORE you begin the "maturing" process as it gets very heavy. Get as much sun on it as you can. If you have difficulty sourcing a bale please get in touch. Simon.
