The increase in the green movement has caused many people looking to grow their own food. Being self sufficient is something that you also might be thinking about and planting food is the best way to start. However, because of limited space, budget or other issues, not everyone can have a greenhouse. This is where a polytunnel could be your answer. There are many reasons why you should consider this when starting to grow fruits and veggies in your garden.

Garden polytunnels for the colder months

Growing fruit and vegetables is a great idea but the problem many people face are the colder winter months. The frost that comes in at this time will often kill plants and means that your crops will be dead. Having a garden polytunnel can ensure that during these months your plants are protected from this frost. Snow is another issue people have and the polythene will keep all the snow off your plants leaving them happy and healthy. The warm interior of your polytunnel will mean that your growing season will also be longer as the plants will not "realise" that winter has come.

Polytunnels can be used for certain plants

There are many plants that people like to eat that simply need a particular climate that your country might not provide. Polytunnels create a light warm Mediterranean type climate that is ideal for many of those more exotic plants. Most plants will thrive in a warmer atmosphere and this is exactly what the tunnel will provide. The light that comes in will also be diffused so you don't have to worry about your larger plants stopping your smaller ones from getting light.

Plastic polytunnels offer more than relaxation

Working in the garden and growing fruit, vegetables and flowers is known to be very relaxing. While the plastic polytunnels will allow you to relax all year round as your plants are kept alive there is much more what you can do. Many people consider growing certain plants as a hobby. This could be anything from bonsais to various species of flowers. The warm climate of the polytunnel will let you do this hobby all year long, not only in spring and summer. Your overall lifestyle can also be changed by having a polytunnel. Organic vegetables can sometimes be very pricy to buy but if you are growing them yourself then you don't have to worry about money. Additionally, any of the extra you get from your crops can be sold to earn you a bit more money.

Polytunnel vs. Greenhouse

You may wonder why you should get a polytunnel when you can get a greenhouse instead. There are many reasons. One of them is that the structure is actually a lot cheaper to get even with the fact that the polythene will need to be replaced every 5-7 years. Another advantage of the polytunnel is that you can remove the cover in the summer months and only put it back on in winter. This is particularly good for those very hot summers where the heat may become too much inside the structure.

There are many times when you should consider getting a polytunnel. If you want to grow your own food to save money or just feel more secure about what process your food is going through, getting a polytunnel is probably your best solution.