New polytunnel new plantings, May to early June, with the annual no dig soil prep

See how different the new polytunnel looks, and how the plantings change in six short weeks. Plus I show a compost mulch for the whole year, sufficient without any feeds for tomatoes and cucumbers, then for winter vegetables as well.
The polytunnel is 18 x 30ft, from First Tunnels www.firsttunne....
Learn more about the time you can save with no dig on my website www.charlesdow...
Discover how and why no dig works so well, and how to adapt it to one bed, small or larger spaces, with my online course charlesdowding...
New info on twitter @charlesdowding and Instagram charles_dowding
Filmed at Homeacres 13th May and 3rd June 2019 by David Adams.

[@boomshine7]

this means we are blessed with atleast another 10 years of Charles :D

[@lovecatspiracy]

So glad, I am fangirlling so hard hahaha

[@jordanpennant6550]

This made me smile

[@LizZorab]

Charles, it looks fabulous! I have a straight sided tunnel too and it's great for growing right next to the edges. Enjoy your extra growing space. I look forward to seeing the comparison of old and new growing areas.

[@beautifulheating8469]

Superb I wish i could afford a tunnel. As i'm getting older i am enjoying growing and sharing. One day i will have one or make my own

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Best of luck

[@caseG80]

Like the doors great for keeping things vented and cool no need for fans.

[@tedbastwock3810]

I'm always impressed with how well you are able to show a process over a long period of time by intermixing shots from months or even a year ago with shots from a day or so ago. It must take a great deal of patience and organization to do that. Thanks for another great video, I learned several things from this one.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Cheers Ted and yes it's a good challenge

[@eby6114]

Great microphone. I could hear absolutely everything. Thanks!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks for your feedback, most helpful

[@charitysmith5245]

If I could choose one gardener to spend a day with talking and learning from, it would be you Charles. It would require a hop over the big pond but well worth it! Lovely new tunnel!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Charity, may see you one day

[@credenza1]

What a wonderful new polytunnel. It has a very expansive atmosphere. And a good recommendation for the boys who installed it. Well done.

[@colleenreimer9340]

Very nice new poly tunnel! Enjoy it, you deserve it! Thank you for sharing all your knowledge. You're turning me into a veggie gardener. 😋🌺🍅🌽🌶

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Hooray :)

[@friendlyfeathers7641]

Hi Mr. Dowding from rural Virginia We love your films; please keep them coming ! As for the polytunnel, now we want one !

[@jmch2186]

Oh a lovely new toy 💚

[@kosmosjk]

I have total polytunnel envy!!! :-)

[@elizabethflynn8455]

Enjoy your new tunnel,Charles.

[@MakelleBell]

Throw the snails a beer party🥳 or get some copper wiring/tape and surround your plants... works like a charm😁

[@littleglasshouse5797]

Absolutely quality information. What a class operation, excellent videography and inspiration. Thank you.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Many thanks

[@lovepeace20]

I can not stop watching your videos Charles ! Very honest , informative. Cheers from Canada !

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

many thanks

[@irenas.7256]

Super :-) jestem zauroczona Pana filmami . Oglądam choć nie znam angielskiego . Pozdrawiam

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Miło to słyszeć!

[@Ed19601]

Where i 'farm' my modest patch, several people had set up polytunnels, only to have them blown over in the fall. Previous owner even left his downfallen polytunnel behind. I will see if i can erect it again, even if only for my tomatoes

[@threethousandpercent7919]

A palace of a poly tunnel. What a champion and inspiration you are for our growing, Charles! Thank you for all that you share with us.

[@nelfranca]

Congratulations on your new acquisition Mr Dowding. It looks really beautiful. May it bring you a lot of joy!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Many thanks Nelson

[@alph8654]

Thanks Charles for sharing your new polytunnel !! Hopefully you will have many years of use from it. This is my second year of no dig and my late winter early spring garden in my polytunnel did fantastic. I had a few people that saw it and they were very impressed. I am looking forward to more years of nodig gardening. I tell people about your website very regularly. Thanks again for all of your many helpful video's and books.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice job Alan, thanks, and `i hope it's not too hot for you just now

[@alph8654]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig I have a question. I buy all of my compost. It is because every time i start a pile in just a few days there are ants all through it. We have LOTS of ants around this area. Black and red ants. Not just me but everyone around. The question is do you know of a way that i can keep the ants out of my compost pile? It could save me some money if i could make some of my own.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

@@alph8654 Alan that is annoying and sorry I don't know but would try watering the compost with any kind of brew made with chillies

[@alph8654]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig Thanks Charles !! I might try that. It just may work.

[@shakengrain1942]

@@alph8654 Thank you for asking this. I have same problem. Southeast USA.

[@elainebates6967]

Fantastic Charlies. Upgrades are wonderful encouragement for gardens and gardeners.

[@DaisyDebs]

Well , I think they did a great job of your new polytunnel .....you are one very lucky boy .......and now I want one ! :)

[@ZrubekFamily]

I noticed the same effect when I went from a half round hoop house to straight sides. All I did was raise my existing hoops up on t posts. It is unreal how much bigger it feels by just having straight sides.

[@DadbrosGarage]

Charles, You are my favorite gardening sensei. Cheers buddy

[@simplifygardening]

That was why I built my own tunnel so I could get straight sides 6ft high before the bend. it means I can grow tomatoes right up to 6 feet before i have to bend them. First tunnels do fantastic tunnels and that looks awesome Charles. Tomatoes are gonna love that

[@talkandeattv]

nothing like getting new equipment to make what you already love doing even easier ! congrats to you Charles.

[@camicri4263]

Nice one! Enjoy!

[@stegeman1390]

The cucumber and bean planting with the strings blew my mind! I want to try that in my green house. What an amazing polytunnel!

[@OriginalRaveParty]

Great upgrade. I also noticed that since I visited in June 2018, there's a new building at the back left of Homeacres. Fantastic to see you developing the space.

[@ReyArteb]

Congrats on the new space.

[@jhaypennycuff2396]

This year I built an 8 foot T trellis outside after watching your video on string trellis method. Within a month the string in the ground deteriorated & slipped out. I'd made the brilliant choice of using sisal string. Yesterday I reinforced with nylon string. Despite the rough start, I love this method! Kudos on the new polytunnel!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yes it's a pity that natural string does not work for this!

[@dianneleon35]

Thank you! The new flat side tunnel makes so much more sense. It is beautifully simple!!!🌱🌿💓💖💗 You inspire me. I can't wait for my next growing season and expanding this one!!!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

cheers Dianne

[@RealOrganic]

I'm in my journey to organic gardening this looks fun!

[@johnboymcdan6786]

Better than some new build homes! Well done... nice

[@karenkmk4035]

Love the poly tunnel a wonderful reward from all your hard work, enjoy your new space.

[@selfretired3025]

Love your new tunnel!!

[@metamud8686]

Funny how you do everything metric and then at the end say it's an 18' x 42' tunnel. :-) Congrats on the new tunnel. It really looks amazing and I can see how thrilled you are with it. Enjoy!

[@deborahlacy7031]

Thank your Charles. You inspire so many of us in such positive ways. God bless you always. Deborah. in S.W. Va. USA

[@IsleofWightBushcraft]

I’ve just bought and put up a 30ft by 14ft first tunnels poly with Ali base rails. Can’t wait to get going for it’s first season. Great video charles

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Sounds great!

[@lisathemessenger7973]

I love hearing your bird song

[@johnhazelton8678]

Such a joy to see plants grown so healthy Many thanks JH uk.

[@beverleyriddell2264]

First Tunnels are fantastic my husband as got 2 of these First Tunnels do ours they are fantastic company good video from Wolverhampton 👍👍😄

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Cheers Beverley

[@stuartmccloud307]

Fantastic, can't wait to see the crops and how it fairs against the elements. :)

[@eadjh98]

Looks great Charles!👍

[@குருபரன்கணேசன்]

மிகச்சிறந்த விவசாயி வாழ்க வளமுடன் 👍

[@nickstraw1952]

Very nice, and may you harvest many crops from it.

[@dereka3341]

Wow! That new tunnel looks great! Congratulations.

[@sweetpea6384]

Wonderful new upgrade to a very deserving person!! Know you will benefit greatly. Enjoy! 😄

[@jackspatch14]

Lovely additional space you’ve gained Charles. Summer late update will be great. Those straight sides make all the difference

[@denisebarreto2570]

Congrats new place for see Gods blessings! Great

[@luckychicav7981]

Yes, definitely Very Nice Poly Tunnel Mr Dowding!! ;)

[@snjezanagrbavac7661]

Dear Charles, congrats for the new polytunnel, but I have to tell you that there is one thing I liked in the old polytunnel more: the door. It seems to me these door are too big, and I'm worried about the cold air that comes from the ground level, wouldn't it bee better there was some higher window for the ventilation? Anyway, I'm not sure I'm right but that's only my humble opinion, no hard feelings. Keep up the good work and kind regards.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Agree!! So I cut a small hole in one door each end, at the top, and added some wood to the bottom. Keeps rabbits out too.

[@raffaelahusner6922]

Wow -this is such a nice tunnel 🤗! I'm happy for you! Greatings from Switzerland

[@PawPawMountain]

Nice Charles, Job well done! Keep them videos coming, I really enjoy them, Thank You!

[@charlescoker7752]

Must be nice to live in a part of the world where it never gets extremely hot during the summer.

[@mjguerette]

or extremely cold in the winter.. or hot in the winter haha.. last year in February we had a week of -30 to -40 with windchill, then the following week had an 80 degree day.

[@zogworth]

It's just grey most of the time instead

[@hmh3808]

Yes I could never bury the sides of my tunnel in Ont. ....our community garden poly tunnel will be over 100° even with windows on either end - we need to be able to roll up from the bottom for airflow in the hot summer months and we r around the great lakes believe it or not! Summers are roasting hot now compared to when I was a kid in Canada, and very short change of seasons, (seems to jump right in to high temps and turn to frost fast at end of season...)

[@ryanalexander3088]

You'll find out soon if you're still in the land of the living in 10-15 years 😅 Grand Solar Minimum is here, Mini Ice Age loading

[@przybyla420]

Hm H desertification, it is happening everywhere. Why is not much discussed, since a greenhouse effect from CO2 and other greenhouse gases raises global temperature AND humidity averages.

[@Ralph857]

Very cool!!

[@stephaniejoyce6896]

Love the new greenhouse. We got one that has the tall sides as well and yes, the difference in how much more roomy it feels is amazing.

[@ScouseJack]

That Firsttunnels website is great fun where you can select your tunnel and features. Just wasted twenty minutes on a tunnel that i have nowhere to put and couldn't afford if i did.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

fingers crossed!

[@alexandrecougnee6573]

Nice garden sir you made good job

[@nickuk911]

You cant beat growing your own food, its my second year now and i've gone all out this year growing onions, calebrese, lettuce, potatoes, carrots,cucumbers, tomatoes, spinich, leeks and sweetcorn. Its a lot to learn and i've spent hours watching videos like these, i've made a few mistakes and some of the plants have failed (calabrese seems hit and miss for me) but wow the difference in taste compared to bland old supermarket rubbish is unbelievable.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Great to hear Nick

[@livingladolcevita7318]

great to see Charles, I am so jealous I would love to have a large poly tunnel. I have now bought a small one 2m x 3m so will have to think carefully what to plant more so over the winter for an early crop.

[@Chris-op7yt]

that is a massive wonderful production house. wish you lots of fun undercover growing. technology keeps improving.

[@flowergrowersmith449]

That's a beauty! Enjoyed that.

[@adamcarroll1975]

Beautiful gardens and congrats on the new tunnel!

[@someguy43210]

I grow cilantro and dill surrounding the bases of my tomato plants. No there are no nutrient deficiencies or stunted growth for the tomato plants. Maybe the herbs attracts beneficial insects which reduce pests and improve pollination for the tomatoes, I don't know for sure. Also they acts as mulch for the tomatoes.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Great idea Max. Many plants cooperate rather than compete.

[@ColinHopperRevival]

Excellent, looks great, thank you for sharing.

[@ericbarritt304]

I have terrible allergies at this time of year (late May to late June) I discovered by accident that taking dry basil works like an antihistamine. I haven't yet taken any antihistamines this summer. I take about a half a teaspoon of basil every two hours & as needed. It's really working. I mix about 8.5 parts basil w/ 1.0 parts oregano, & 0.5 parts turmeric. I find that the basil makes my mouth a little dry, so I think the oregano & turmeric counter the side effects. Crazy? Maybe, but it works for me, & costs a lot less.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Hey nice cure Eric and thanks for sharing

[@DanniD-s2e]

Hi Eric Thanks for sharing. Any allergies from what I’ve read are a sign of poor potassium levels in your body. I’ve benefitted over the years from taking more potassium gluconate with meals and at the beginning and end of the day. Also Im 60 now and I’ve found over the 8 years I’ve been practicing veganism cutting back on salt and sugar and juicing organic vegetables everyday has helped to make me healthier and I also recover from injury and illness faster. My hay fever used to be uncomfortable but now it’s hardly noticeable. Thanks

[@stevecolwill9761]

Lovely new polytunnel, Charles. You certainly had good value from the old one! I have a similar tunnel from First Polytunnels, which I assembled myself last year, though not as large as yours! The sliding doors are great and I rig up netting at either end to stop birds/cats entering while allowing ventilation.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks and that sounds nice Steve

[@claaudiasa1000]

Awesome garden!

[@Guernicolatv]

From Argentina! Amazing, you inspire me.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks. Funnily enough I had an Argentinian helper yesterday.

[@jnicolettebailey]

Congratulations I'm green with envy! ;-) Would love a tunnel like that. Wish First Tunnels had a branch in South Africa too

[@stevendowden2579]

great video great polytunnel

[@anilkapur1584]

The monsoons have come on time and sufficiently, while that is good, it made conditions quite damp and I was wondering why the lettuce weren't growing well, until I read in your book about them not doing well under these conditions. If I had a polytunnel in place, my greens and cucumber would have been thriving well. After learning from your videos and books, we are undoing and redoing so many things on the farm that it will have to wait a tad longer. The damp conditions however, did not deter the cherry and grape tomatoes we have had our best harvest without any cover.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Gosh your climate is so different! Glad the tomatoes are good :)

[@anilkapur1584]

We have three climates Summer from Feb to end May, then Monsoons 2 to 3 or 4 months thereafter, then a milder Summer and the onset of winter (equivalent to spring and even milder in the south) from November to January & could in some years go as far as Feb. This year it rained from end April to first week of August.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

@@anilkapur1584 Ah I see, three climates in one year, so different to here yet soil principles are the same.

[@workingguitar1]

after we'd got done filming.... a van arrived LOL! Very funny Charles. : ) ~ Teresa and Adam /Virginia USA

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Cool 😆

[@bonnieskitchengarden]

Thank you My biggest issue with growing my own food is hunger gaps and knowing how to keep the harvest going

[@przybyla420]

Root crops, canning, freezing and dehydrating are some good ways. Long storing squash/pumpkins. Seed crops, beans and Jerusalem artichokes the list goes on!

[@VeganChiefWarrior]

haha "and when we are picking salad (bonk) aw.." ;p gotta love ya

[@moiragoldsmith7052]

Wow! It looks impressive. Happy Season. Xxx

[@BbjmL1]

Thanks for the video and congratulations on your new investment!! Looking forward to videos to come.

[@beccajackson9942]

I love this tunnel! I need to find a company like this in the US.

[@annashiegl]

Amazing ❤

[@micksoden7064]

well wear,and well earned.

[@ceili]

Looking solid!!!

[@gerreddy9287]

It looks so big compared to the other one. I'm only a novice gardener and tried planting pole beans recently but they mostly went pale yellow and I tried again with another lot... same thing. I've just put some more in the ground and am hoping the weather gets a bit warmer cause that's the only thing I can think of that's different from last year.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yes Ger it's the weather, too cold for them to be able to photosynthesise. June 1st was the hottest day of the summer I fear.

[@gerreddy9287]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig Hope things improve or else I'll have to revise what I'm sewing. On a good note tho I harvested great Broad beans that I put down before christmas. Looking f/ward to your nxt video

[@stephenjones7829]

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Looks amazing 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@valeracekan3324]

o lucrare foarte buna 👍

[@homesteadparadise]

Congratulations..It's so spacious...I think I could live in there..lol

[@What..a..shambles]

My big tunnel is straight sided 30ft by 70ft and I put a wooden base rail on it, water ingress is a big problem for me sadly especially on one side for there is a tiny slope. Any days close to 20C and its 40C inside and stuff starts wilting ☹️ Good luck with your new tunnel 👍🏻 and thanks for your correspondence on other vids.

[@micksoden7064]

if it's hot,hose the walls with plenty of water;it will cool tunnel immediately

[@ronniebrace2917]

Very helpful video, thanks.

[@PlotToPlates]

Nice new tunnel, it was 31C in ours last Saturday, could hardly be in there drinking the coffee. :-)

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

A nice problem, mine is 21C today, 16 outside

[@rogierdikkes]

Snails ate all my lettuce plants, and my strawberries, and my licorice plants... I'm raising snails....

[@rogierdikkes]

@@no-diggarden well they nibble just a few parts just with the end result hundreds of strawberries left rotting

[@judy8809]

put a container of beer near your plants,a bowl works well, the snails like the smell, it draws them they fall in the beer and drown. sorry 'organic' but not 'humane" but it really works....Try laying a nearly empty bottle on its side and maybe just trap them,,just an idea as its the smell they like....

[@FoodForestPermaculture]

Well Done !

[@rauljimenez8132]

Polytunnel Envy.

[@Punky3025]

Thank you for the knowledge. I want to put in a tunnel at home in South Africa.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I wish you success, do it soon before potential lockdowns!

[@Punky3025]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig . We are on lockdown. I am fortunate to still have work and am working remotely. I. Determined to become self-sufficient as far as vegetables go. Never again will I be so dependant on the supermarket.

[@nagapparraveendranraveendr8676]

good

[@1fanger888]

Good concept, thanks for the video.

[@gailthornbury291]

You have made me unhappy. I’m suffering from very very serious Polytunnel Envy. It’s lovely that you donated the old one. I would have kept it. I’m a bad person.

[@krzysztofrudnicki5841]

Charles you are absolutely amazing person and teacher. You inspired me. In next year I wish to start my micro farm and your lessons and way of thinking are priceless. But wonder why aren't you using chickens to speed and enrich your compost or clear the beds or till them? Btw. Did you hear about MTBI personality test? I bet you are INTJ Architect type.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks and keep it simple is my motto. Folding chickens over a bed takes longer than clearing plants, also I don't want them tilling/digging/deshaping my beds. My compost is rich already.

[@jacquieexpat]

Please can you do a video on your irrigation system in the polytunnel Charles. We would love to know more about it! Thanks.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Next year!

[@nicholasdriscoll5704]

#farmersfriend has really nice high tunnels if you are ever looking for on for a good value per square foot. Great video!

[@GARDENER42]

I was concerned at the lack of growth from my French beans & now I know the answer; daytime maximums have rarely exceeded 16ºC over the past 6 week here in West Cumbria. Oh well, they'll either make progress or get turfed out in October.