Before The Freeze!

[@hikerlindacanadianrockies8478]

Well, I watch youtubers like you to avoid thinking about the bad things going on in the world. It reminds me that there are good, happy and wonderful things going on in the world too.

[@joj1252]

Wise words JB. Having a tranquil safe space to lose yourself in away from all the sadness we live in now is a blessing. So pleased you’re still using Steve’s songs 💝 😊

[@dfabella85]

Steve is smiling in heaven on what you have done. Love the vid.

[@chriseverest4380]

Ah! Gardener as Philosopher. Nature thriving in the midst of a terrible sickening (manmade) world. We strive to create, to grow from almost nothing, from the smallest seed we act out birth, love, threats, and death - we recognise there should be a kind of order to our world and in our gardens we achieve that. It gives us peace, and humility, and clarity and acceptance and tolerance. JB we feel just the same! We design and create our own world. It feeds us in every way. It demonstrates respect and kindness and attention to detail. Perhaps we should replace the politicians with gardeners!❤

[@marjorycallanin9347]

Great seeing the tunnel nearly finished Steve would be very proud ❤

[@SoxInTheGarden]

Hiya, JB! Happy Sundayyy! ❤ Aww, Steve may be chuckling, but I know he’s super proud of what you’ve done with his tunnel. Next season is going to be AMAZING. You’re gonna have SO MANY PEPPERS in there! ❤ Glad you got the doors on, and it’ll be nice when the slabs are all level and set in. Can’t wait till I get a big poly tunnel like that one dayyy! 🥰

[@richardblakeman252]

Recognised the tune from some of Steve's old videos, nice touch. It's been a tough year all round, roll on 2024 👍

[@paulsuffolk310]

JB, thank you for your update. Doors looking good on the polytunnel. I too would have opted for slabs in the tunnel. It can be helpful on the very hot days to increase the humidity by dampening down the slabs. So, in my opinion, it's a good move. Seeing your plants in the tunnel must be giving you such enjoyment, keep up the good work, Paul

[@wendymannion9480]

I am should Steve would be proud of you for getting the tunnel weather tight before winter, we’ll done you

[@CSaville]

Great timing getting the door on. I bet it makes a massive difference to the temperature. Re the slabs, I chose to put them in my Greenhouse as a path down the centre and around the base with pea gravel over membrane for drainage. You can't beat a bit of thermal mass when temperatures start falling at night. I find the slabs warm during the day and then release heat after the sun has gone. It doesn't have a huge impact but sometimes just a little bit of extra warmth is all you need.

[@JBNat]

Yeah that's a brilliant point about the thermal mass too!

[@anitahaywood9827]

Hanging shelves are a must in a poly, definitely on our plots, just a zillion rats, they are moveable, I started so much off this year on mine. I've just started slabbing my tunnel, waiting for a wet day when I cant do anything outside! Its looking good JB Steve would be proud 🙂

[@LouMorris100]

Huge congrats on getting the tunnel winterproof in time! That was always going to be a massive challenge, especially doing it on your own. I'm incredibly proud of your achievements this year JB! Having actually met you, I can honestly say you're always true to your word, you deliver week after week, and you never ever fail to fail to make me smile (on more than one occasion I've been known to snort in a very ungracious way in total hysterics at some of your 'one liners') 😂😂 never doubt the things you do.. just remember you garden your way for you (and Jess of course) we are all just granted the privilege to be along on your journey. I'm not the only one waving the "JB fanclub" flag! 🎉

[@JBNat]

Aw thank you so so much Lou ❤️❤️ such a kind message

[@Lynne-plot35b-36b]

Yaaaay doors on. Good old Steve bless him. I was thinking you could make some framed detachable plastic windows with plastic inside where the mesh is for additional winter protection and put some of those little pieces of wood on where the frames meet so you can twist it in order to hold it in. It makes the windows removable in the warmer weather Hope this makes sense. I’ve done this on my poly tunnel and it’s a great additionI Those chillis will love you for getting the doors on at this time of years. . And yes ourTony is a huge inspiration too ’m so glad he’s recovering so well. Steve will be giving you a huge 👏👏👏👏and saying “We’ll done young man”. I had to laugh…Sorry Chilli’s” you do this too …😂 lol keep the videos going xxx❤

[@Tamsins_Potager]

Love all your videos. Polytunnel is looking fantastic 😂 and look at the smile on your face 😊

[@Crumbleofborg]

Softie Southerners! The forecast here is for zero celsius tonight, so today I ripped out the remaining tomato plants and picked all the jalapenos. We have lots of sunshine forecast for tomorrow so I will lift the Dahlias and start getting properly ready for winter. Hope your chillies survive a couple more weeks and ripen lots more fruit for you.

[@Jim19826301]

JB can't keep track of his nuts! LOL couldn't help myself! 🤣

[@happydigging]

The first frost settled here in Oldham last night! 😬

[@Dawn_Grows_Veg]

Woohoo 🎉 to the doors being on. Hope they keep your chillis just that bit cosier while this rather early cold snap moves through. Now as we are a few days since you filmed, there is a storm heading up from the south. So the doors should give a bit of wind protection. I have been feeling very overwhelmed about the veg garden and the rest of the garden to be honest at the moment. With all the terrible stuff happening in the world my headspace is also very overflowing. Your words are a timely reminder to find a job and get lost in it for an hour or so and it will help. Just need to remind myself and I will get my garden mojo on. How amazing was that parasitic wasp though? I have seen evidence of them at work in my garden this year on the early aphids, moe so that’s ladybirds this year. another very cool predator and gardeners friend. Love the vlogs they make me happy when the notifications pop up.

[@AngelaM745]

A rail on the bottom can prevent your door from swinging in the wind.

[@JBNat]

That's what the little spike with the roller is for 😁

[@ritahobbs5256]

I think I need a tunnel… what have you started JB! My poor brother will have to put it up of course 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@JBNat]

Hahaha good luck!!

[@darrybush5293]

JB, your tunnel is looking fantastic, I’m excited for you to see what next year the tunnel is going to look like all filled with plants. Happy Gardening from Southern California.

[@Carol-oc7mx]

Its all looking gteat and when you dug the earth around the poly tunnel it settled it into the landscape. Well done 👍👍👍

[@carolynbland9551]

Ring First Tunnels.. Ask for Matt Harrison. He will help you. You need a batten on the outside for the door to run along. I think you've accidentally fitted it to the inside. The door will tear the plastic. Fit the horizontal batten to the outside, the door runs along it.

[@JBNat]

Thanks a lot Carolyn! Been looking over the instructions and it's not clear if the extra batten goes around the frame, or all the way along the silver door track. An easy fix though :)

[@carolynbland9551]

@@JBNat If you look to the right of your tunnel from the outside, 2/3 of the way down, you have a horizontal batten on the inside. Fix another batten to it, on the outside, so when you slide the door open, it protects the polythene from ripping through wear and tear. Hope this helps.

[@christinebrooks6364]

Hi JB, im playing catch again 🙄 been so busy with work and my plot. Your polytunnel is looking really good, now your doors are on too. It will be great in the Winter as it is warm in there and a great space to hide away from the elements of winter. Steve will be made up that you are making good use of his gift to you. It is a door stop, you dig it into the ground outside your sliding door to keep it in place when it's closed. Thanks for sharing and take care 😊

[@JBNat]

Thanks so much Christine 😊

[@helenhawkins4054]

Love to watch your progress 🤗👍✅🌶️

[@donhamilton5417]

JB ref door windows, I’ve put a greenhouse window opener on one of mine. Steve did a video on it once works perfectly

[@juliehickey1518]

Felco plastic on in side too

[@von8462]

Haha, "sorry chilli pepper". You never fail to make me smile.

[@PreatorRaszagal]

Aphids at this time of year?! 🤔And cool, I haven't actually ever seen a parasitic wasp before. I brought my plants inside a week ago or so and did just that. I trimmed off most branches that had flowers and no pods on them so that the plant won't "waste" energy on flowering. When you started talking about pot size, I was just thinking about asking you about which size your AutoPots are for this very reason (if they might be "too big" or not). Glad I got that answered hehe. And I think it was good that you went to the plot! Then we got this nice video and you got the second door up! Much better than doom scrolling 😉

[@janetprince5147]

I made a frame to fit inside the mesh part of the door and covered it with plastic, mine I'd hinged on the door, but you can just make them removable.

[@JBNat]

Smart!

[@jeanhelliwell8160]

Great video again JB. As usual. Good news now that your tunnel is weather tight for winter.

[@locke6531]

maybe the door could go in 180 to close the gap left, just looked at Steve's vid and didn't see that gap. but, he did have the door sliding the other way 😆

[@JBNat]

I copied Steve's exactly, both of his opened on the same side so I've done the same thing :) it just depends which end you're looking at. He did have the gap too but I think he just didn't get round to fitting the extra battening onto the outside of the door frame so I didn't realise I'd missed a step!

[@locke6531]

@@JBNat i know, was just having some fun teasing. could say tho, steve's front door is your backdoor so not excatly the same. lmao

[@CardsbyMaaike]

Well done, I've harvested my apples today, just in case. Are you going up north to help Tony with his plot as he's been under the weather? I wish I could, or if I lived in the UK, I would

[@mariewright9352]

Good job with the tunnel JB 🎉 can’t wait to see the next growing season for you and the tunnel. Inside jobs are perfect for over winter 🥶

[@jasonhughes726]

My Chilli was great last year, This Summer has been poor only a quarter of the harvest of last year. North Wales is where I am.

[@carolynbland9551]

We have the same tunnel from First Tunnels. The spike thing and little tube. Fit the tube into the ground. The spike is attached to the door. Close the door and push the spike into the tube. The other thing , with the roller on, sticks into the ground where the door slides. It helps the door to slide. You can download a manual from First Tunnels x

[@PamsMountainGarden]

Never doom scroll, JB. Take yourself outdoors, face in the sun or the wind.

[@peteatthetriangle]

Hi JB you do need a second piece of tile batten on each side of the door frame. to fill the gap . hope this helps. It is looking good.

[@charlotteoleary196]

Firstly can I say the quiff is on pointe, secondly it's going down to 2 degrees here in Herts and I didn't know until late today so I've been running up and down the garden trying to get everything into the greenhouse. I have a horrible feeling I will be lining the rotten thing with bubble wrap to try to keep things warm. It was such a saga last year. If you can do any videos on how to keep your plant babies warm over winter I would love it. Also I am glad I am not the only one who apologises to their plants when they accidentally whack them.

[@dereknash3638]

Here in the Sunny Costa Del Clacton On Sea on East Coast in the County of Essex lovely sunny day today, hardly a cloud in the sky, no coat required t’shirt weather 14 degrees. Spent most of the day in the garden replacing the rotting side and floor panels on the summer house (shed), also painting the whole of the inside, including floor and ceiling. Glad to get it done before the cold weather starts. Another sunny day forecast for tomorrow.

[@JBNat]

Ohhh that sounds like a fantastic use of your brilliant weather Derek! You're on it!

[@annlockey8552]

Its sitting at 4 degrees going down to 0 overnight. We had hail earlier, definately winters on its way.

[@mandytaylor1008]

Hi jb we had a frost last night I had to defrost the car this morning😩I havnt got my geraniums in yet. I also have 2 houseplants that have been out all summer in back garden. I bring my geraniums in every year so they have been going a few years now really big plants. I have 2 lovely chilli plants in my herb trug in back garden. They have loads of fruit only just turning colour I hope they will turn but it’s getting cold now. I might lift them and bring indoors try to keep them. I not a great chilli grower. Have had a few long slim chillis and lemon drop. But that’s it. I do use chilli flakes a lot and was hoping to make a few but I don’t think that’s gonna happen. My scotch bonnets died. I make a really good nut roast with scotch bonnet so disappointed I won’t have my own. Oh well always next year. You have such a soft heart don’t change. We need to care about what’s happening in the world. Bless your heart👍🙋🏻‍♀️

[@JBNat]

Aw thank you so much Mandy, fingers crossed for your peppers 🤞

[@lancpudn]

Hi JB, I doubt my sweet cherry chillis will ripen now with the onset of colder weather, I had great success with my mild Japanese Shishito chilli's 50-200 scoville scale. Great work on the doors. Up in my neck o the woods Lancashire it was white with frost first thing this morning.

[@TheFarmyardGarden]

Yes, there’s two layers of battening on the doorframe. Confused us too. You also need to put a batten in front of the door brace piece, to the right of your door. You need to batten that to stop the door catching the plastic as you slide it open. It looks like Steve put the door kit together so that the nicer edge, not the battened edge (as instructions say) faces out. Wish we had done that. I also frost readied my tunnel yesterday. Woke up to frost and 1° in Staffordshire. Polytunnel went down to 0.2° overnight. Currently 25° in it though, in the sun. A bit of summer on a cold day. Only 2° outside

[@JBNat]

Ahh thanks so much that's a really detailed description! Luckily I found the first tunnels video tutorial which shows it quite well too 😁 just need to get it finished now!

[@TheFarmyardGarden]

@@JBNat it’s a great space. Steve will have used slabs in his for the excellent heat sink property. It’ll help keep tunnel warmer overnight. Inspired by you, I’m currently on Red Dragon Seeds looking to up the chilli game for next year

[@JBNat]

@@TheFarmyardGarden ahh amazing! I don't know red dragon very well. I'd definitely check out the Chillichump seed store if you've not before! Everything I've ever had from him has been excellent

[@TheFarmyardGarden]

@@JBNat oh brilliant. Thanks for that. My daughter and husband love chillies. I like to grow them, but am not a massive fan of them myself. Same with tomatoes. I’m insisting on growing prettier ones next year, to enjoy seeing them grow. Off to buy some goodies!

[@GardenofEmma]

Great the doors are on now on the polytunnel. Steve would be so proud it’s growing some chillies. How do you listen to the potty mouth garden club now. I thought it finished ?

[@JBNat]

Sorry no it is still on hiatus, I just meant we were chatting on WhatsApp!

[@Mn_Gardening]

I think that piece may go in the ground to hold the bottom of the door from going out

[@archkod]

Hi JB - yes, you need an additional batten - I will email you snaps of mine plus the door stop at the bottom - looked like you might be missing a piece that holds the angled rod - I think first tunnel sends you bottom hardware for single and double doors -the straight bar is a stop so with 2 doors you pin the one door and open 1. What is also a bit funny on yours is how much the track overhangs the end of the tunnel - mine is a 12’ wide tunnel - maybe your tunnel is 10? cheers k

[@JBNat]

Oh wow thank you, only just seen those emails! Very kind of you and yes this one is the 10 :)

[@freckles2437]

I thought I'd bought all my seeds for 2024 but then JB tempted me to look at grown local and now I've ordered Black moon, merlin cucumber and red sunflowers 😂. Jo.C Devon 🙂

[@JBNat]

Ahh fantastic 😈😈

[@moirad6579]

Thanks for mentioning Steve's channel... not sure how i missed it but have been trying to figure out where to find him, especially since the polytunnel has big such a big feature in your videos this summer. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on how the poly compares to a greenhouse. Cheers

[@JBNat]

Ahh sorry this is how you found out. It is deeply deeply sad. One of those things that's easy to miss on KZbin. Tony broke the news at the time if you can bear to watch this one. kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3nbZ3hqlKaaiJosi=gS1HVtlQpkFH-aOR

[@annthomson-ewers2835]

Well done jb 🙂👍👍👍

[@juliefowkes9796]

I am sure you are going to do it but are you going to lay the slabs on sand and mortar ? It stops any movement and mortar between the gaps will stop the weeds from coming through. You mentioned a membrane, which could stop weeds but sand on top of that would bed them in. Sorry if this is something you already know.

[@JBNat]

That's definitely the proper way to do it Julie but to be honest I'm almost definitely too lazy to do it properly 😂

[@bluewolf4915]

Wouldn't clear plastic work better?

[@JBNat]

For what? The plastic covering the actual tunnel? Polytunnel plastic for whatever reason is never fully clear I don't think. Probably something to do with the UV resistance, and maybe it helps stop it getting too hot

[@lesleyannehall8040]

Does that thing for the door, stop the bottom of the door kicking out when you open it?

[@JBNat]

Yep! Thank goodness for KZbin comments 😁😁

[@ballysillanallotment-man5793]

JB does that piece fit at the bottom of the door to stop it flapping outwards

[@JBNat]

It does! Thank you

[@samatronn]

What is this club you talk about? I am in Southampton :)

[@JBNat]

Ahh yes! The potty mouth garden club was the name of a livestream channel where a bunch of us KZbin gardeners would chat all things gardening for a while. youtube.com/@pottymouthgardenclub?si=8E6xp_Ff_vfKol4w We're on hiatus at the moment but we still have a discord channel which is quite active! discord.com/invite/zKYXYynh

[@locke6531]

👍

[@jayneeburks8482]

I enjoyed your video, now trim around those doors...please!!!!

[@JBNat]

Hahahahahaha I'm leaving that until the very end!!! I can't wait to trim it, going to be so satisfying

[@helenbardsley2634]

Is there another potty mouth channel?? I keep looking, but they’re all 4mnths ago?? Am I not looking in the right place?? Please and thank you

[@JBNat]

No so sorry we are still offline for the time being, I just meant that we were chatting online. Our WhatsApp group is still called the potty mouth club!

[@helenbardsley2634]

Thanks,