The Polytunnel Book: Fruit and Vegetables All Year Round

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

Table of Contents:
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

About the Author :
JOYCE RUSSELL has thirty years of practical experience of fruit and vegetable growing, while feeding a family from the garden. She writes each month for Kitchen Garden Magazine, as well as regular contributions to other magazines and newspapers. She wrote for Organic Gardening magazine for ten years. BEN RUSSELL is an experienced photographer who has had over 3,000 photographs published in magazines, newspapers and books. He specializes in high quality practical garden photography.

Review :
'Enhanced by Ben Russell's colourful and purposeful photos, this is a great book to have by your side, demostrating the range and variety of what you can grow in a polytunnel - and all year round too!