The big Polytunnel 2016.

Capsicum/Red bell pepper still cropping January 3rd! I don't think there will be any more peppers from this years plants but the chili peppers were only harvested a couple of weeks ago.

Apricot in the big tunnel, awash with blossom and bees, March 9th.

Propagating this years sweet potato plants from one of last years tubers in the spring.
The sweet potatoes were fairly neglected and under-watered but they still cropped, I only lifted them a few days ago.

First tomato plants in the big tunnel on March 26th, Every year I plant them a little earlier, and this is the first time that I have lost a a few plants, (to a sharp frost in early April), but the majority of the plants survived and thrived, I had kept a good few back-up plants in the house to replace any losses.

Our first few tomatoes came at the end of June, this basket was on July 26th.

Raspberries from the big tunnel June 25th.

Alfie eating raspberries in the big tunnel.

Although Raspberries grow perfectly well outdoors, these summer raspberries (that came into the tunnel by themselves through their underground runners) will fruit at least 3 weeks earlier than outdoors, a real treat in June. Being inside they are also protected from birds and heavy rain.

Big tunnel June 22nd.

These fabulously scented lilies, Lillium 'Regale', have thrived growing in a dry spot under the nectarine tree in the big tunnel, even their self-seedlings have grown up and flowered.

Acca Feijoa, pinnaple gauva, growing with raspberry. I have read that the high temperatures in the tunnel may prevent it fruiting. I am trying to propagate it so I can try growing it outside as it's too big to move, However, the low winter temperatures outside may also prevent it fruiting! Lovely (and edible) flowers anyway!

Big tunnel June 22nd.

French beans and thyme in the big tunnel, June 22nd.

French beans for the freezer, July 22nd.

Another seasonal activity that Tivon and Alfie love.... Shelling french beans, November 12th.

Salvia Leucantha with a few tomatoes in the background, October14th.

Every year we use with the deep bedding from the barn to make a compost heap outside the big tunnel. Young pumpkin and squash plants, that are started under cover, are planted straight into the fresh compost pile. May 24th.
This compost heap will be emptied into the big tunnel in the winter to feed the tomatoes next summer.

Alfie is sprinkling ash from the wood fire around the plants to deter slugs. This works really well as long as the weather stays dry and it only takes the plants a few days to establish and become strong enough that they are less attractive to slugs.
Despite all their bad press I find that slugs mostly have a preference for stressed plants or decaying matter, they are great tidier-uppers and a local source of food for birds and frogs.