Building a huge, cheap polytunnel with scaffold poles and water pipes

Chris and Rob Downham from Grow your Health explain some of the things they learnt whilst building a huge polytunnel using scaffold poles and water pipes.

[@ChristopherDownham-lo3rz]

Hi, people have been asking for an update, 5 years later it going strong. The water pipes and scaffold poles work beautifully and very tough. I chopped a tree down (big one) before putting the Poly over and it fell the wrong way, landed on the structure and once I had chainsawed it up and moved it the pipes popped back up.

[@authenticshift5515]

That looks freeking epic! Love that you guys can create something that cool!

[@GardeningforBeginners]

A great size tunnel . Look forward to seeing further instalments of this project

[@mabbshawn3268]

PING!....you have a new message.This looks superb. Been working, and done, the skeletons of 3 tunnels using 6meter lengths of electric sinking pipe, which gives us room for 1k to 1.5k pots for our new plant nursery. RofL, we don't work to perfection - close enough is god enough. I do love the fact you smashed scaffold pipe and give yourself head room when you went water pipe........love it

[@bluwalker64]

Do you have more polytunnel videos? I'd be interested in an update.

[@gee3883]

Great tips fellas hope all is well.

[@gee3883]

One more tip Ive seen elsewhere for pulling the polythene over scrunch up a tennis ball and tie around with rope.

[@gee3883]

Nice one mate some good tips there .Just building mine I am using 32 mmm pipe as mine is smaller and I had some thick re bar in the garage that I have hammered into the ground works a treat. Good luck and keep safe.

[@bristolveggiebeds5310]

Great job!

[@tom909_ooo6]

Brilliant cheers guys. Not wanting to build one quite that big but sone great ideas! Very coincidental too as I'm looking to build a polytunnel at the allotment just offered to me which happens to be on Hagg House site just along the road from you!

[@chrisdownham]

TomOfGulfCity _ you would always be welcome to pop down and see how it has faired. Had some right wind but still standing strong.

[@thelittlefarmersfarm5706]

Where's part 2 Chris?... love the look of this tunnel so far mind you

[@r1seyoga862]

The Little Farmers Farm I will make a part 2. It is going well though.

[@thelittlefarmersfarm5706]

@@r1seyoga862 Good work so far pal, but you need a start to end on this one IMO Mate.. god bless Guru M :-)

[@truckerjim372]

Just starting a 5m long x 3m wide tunnel using 63mm yellow gas pipe. It was no fun uncoiling 60 meters of that on my own, why don't I ask for help? The WD40 idea was a revelation but how far in to the pipe did you drive the scaffold pole? Really would love a follow up video. Awesome work. Thanks.

[@muffchinthe3rd515]

Cheers dude

[@AlabamaTree]

Great looking tunnel - it’s there a part 1 where you are fixing the poles in the ground and the water pipe to the poles?

[@jamesfarrell3970]

Thanks for you help 👍

[@jamalking6738]

Any update with the poly tunnel ?

[@paulwoodcock764]

next vid ? hope it worked for you guys

[@perfoperfo9910]

I like the idea and pretty rot proof so should last a long time. Since this video was made though the price of this pipe has goon through the roof. It's around £350 to £450 just for 100m unless I'm being ripped off. Does any one know where it can be got cheaper or something else that'll do instead ?

[@JNYC-gb1pp]

This accent is so unique. It's almost 'posh' sounding and unlike most Northern accents. Wheres its origin?

[@r1seyoga862]

J NYC morning, I am originally from Southport in Northern England but must have been using my posh voice.

[@markross7156]

Measurements anywhere?

[@dublincityhandyman]

Did you use the proper polytunnel polythene?? Or is it possible to the building polythene??.

[@r1seyoga862]

Dublin City Handyman hi, we used proper poly tunnel plastic. Been up for 3 years and been battered by storms and no issues at all.

[@dublincityhandyman]

@@r1seyoga862 Thanks for replying.. I built one a few years ago useing the proper polythene.. i It was 12 x 4 meters.. I want to build one as big as yours. Just trying to work out costs.

[@jamesf5407]

Hi where did you get the pipe to fit over the scaffold poles please I have looked on eBay but no luck please help thanks 👍🏻

[@chrisdownham]

James F Tel [phone] | Fax [phone] | Web www.cmoltd.co.uk Airport Business Centre | 10 Thornbury Road | Estover | Plymouth | Devon | PL6 7PP

[@chrisdownham]

Construction Materials Online Ltd [phone] www.drainagesuperstore.co.uk [e-mail] Purchase details MDPE Blue Pipe Coil Main Water Supply - 63mm x 50m (Qty 3) Item number090163MD50 Seller information

[@jukeseyable]

@@chrisdownham great video what are the specs on the U bolts that you used on the base board connection to the posts. Also what was your solution to fitting the polythene over the ventilation area on the side. Many thx,, great vid, got urselves a sub.

[@abdurra482]

What pipes did you use

[@r1seyoga862]

Hi, we used 60mm water pipes. It cost about £500 for the whole tunnel. Not super cheap but will last forever.

[@abdurra482]

@@r1seyoga862 thanks

[@lce_Poseidon]

did it work then

[@chrisdownham]

Hi Sebastian, it worked really well. Survived a couple of storms and a lot of snow with no damage. We have added on an extension back and front. I will do an update video soon.

[@lce_Poseidon]

Chris Downham nice im glad its awesome you built your own, just spent all day putting up a polytunnel

[@user-FUCKYOU18]

Fucking hell, that huge?