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Growing in a polytunnel can be a fun, inventive way to protect your crops from common pitfalls average British gardeners make, such as by not considering the harsh weather and pests. Polytunnel gardening eradicates these errors, and therefore, you can grow a vast range of crops, including vegan ones that can be collected and stored for a pantry. But what can you grow in a polytunnel, and is a vegan pantry possible? In this article, we will answer these questions as we assist you with growing your plant-based pantry using small polytunnels.
Growing vegan crops for a pantry garden is an achievable goal across many climates, providing healthy staples all year with some basic knowledge.
You should start by attaining the right conditions for your soil. Most vegetables thrive in a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0. If your garden's soil is too alkaline—above 7.5—you'll need to make adjustments.
Incorporating mulch can help balance the pH, best done about six months before you plant. Additionally, enriching your soil with organic materials such as compost or leaf litter can boost nutrient content and improve drainage.
When deciding what to plant, consider both the climate and the resilience of your chosen vegetables. Opt for cool-season crops that can withstand lower temperatures and plants that yield produce suitable for storage through winter.
A polytunnel is a versatile addition to any garden, especially for those interested in maintaining a year-round vegan pantry. Here’s how to effectively use this space to grow a variety of crops that can be preserved through canning, freezing, or drying.
Thriving under cover, aubergines, or eggplants, are ideal for warmer climates or a heated polytunnel.
Start young plants indoors and consider overwintering them to ensure robust growth and fruiting in their second season. This technique maximises both the yield and flavour of the produce.
This hardy vegetable can withstand the winter chill, making it perfect for colder season growth in a polytunnel.
Protecting cabbages from pests like slugs and caterpillars is easier under controlled conditions, ensuring a healthy supply of greens throughout the year.
Whether you favour mild or hot varieties, chillies are superb for polytunnels.
They flourish in the warmth and can be restricted in large pots to encourage a more concentrated flavour, making them perfect for fresh use or pickling.
In the right conditions, cucumbers and gherkins can produce great results in a polytunnel.
These plants require high humidity and a lengthy growing season, often leading to an extensive supply suitable for pickling.
Known for its vibrant flavour and health benefits, ginger can easily be grown inside a polytunnel where it thrives in rich, deep soil.
Ensure it has enough space and light, as ginger grows like bamboo and can become quite large.
While grapevines are cold hardy, they need a long season of sunshine to fruit well.
Training vines inside a polytunnel can protect them from late frosts and ensure a steady growth period, leading to successful fruiting.
Another surprisingly hardy crop, citrus trees like lemons perform well in polytunnels where conditions mimic their native warm, sunny climates.
Grow them in large pots to move outdoors during summer for additional warmth, light, and sufficient space for them to grow.
Great for Asian vegan dishes, lemongrass is both fragrant and hardy.
It can survive winter in a polytunnel and thrive outdoors in summer, making it a multi-purpose plant for both culinary and aromatic benefits.
Lettuce grows quickly and easily in varied climates, making it a staple for year-round cultivation in a polytunnel.
With varieties ranging from Crisphead to Romaine, planting in early spring ensures a continuous harvest. These greens are perfect for fresh salads or as a crunchy, healthy snack.
Melons are another vegan-friendly crop that will thrive the best in the summer.
They require consistent warmth and plenty of sunlight, which a polytunnel can readily provide.
Melons need attentive care and favourable weather but reward you with delicious, juicy fruits that are perfect for the summer.
Similar to chillies, peppers love the warmth of a polytunnel. These plants demand rich, well-drained soil and ample sunlight to flourish.
Peas are a fantastic source of plant-based protein and can be sown in spring or autumn.
While they prefer cooler weather, a polytunnel can protect early or late seedlings from frost and pests. Ensure they receive plenty of light and regular watering, and you'll enjoy a steady supply of fresh peas to boost your diet.
Radishes are ideal for quick crop growing within a polytunnel.
Plant them in the cooler months for a rapid harvest that adds crunch and spice to salads. Their quick growth cycle makes radishes a satisfying crop for beginner and expert gardeners.
Rocket, or arugula, is another crop that benefits from the controlled environment of a polytunnel.
Its peppery leaves can be harvested just a few weeks after sowing, providing a quick and easy green for salads and garnishes. Sow rocket in the cooler months for a continuous supply.
Runner beans thrive in the heat and are well-suited to the microclimate inside a polytunnel.
They can be grown on trellises or supports, maximising any vertical space available and producing a plentiful harvest. With some protection, they can even overwinter and produce for multiple seasons in milder climates.
Sweet potatoes are surprisingly suited to cooler climates when grown in a polytunnel.
Provide them with deep, rich soil and plenty of moisture, and they will develop large, flavourful tubers by the end of the summer.
Tomatoes are perhaps the most popular polytunnel crop, cherished for their versatility in the kitchen. They benefit from the warmth and protection from blight that a polytunnel offers.
Plant them alongside companion plants like basil to improve their growth and flavour, making the most of your space with companion planting.
Our last top choice is zucchini - a quick-growing crop that also loves a polytunnel environment.
Space plants sensibly to ensure good air circulation and prevent mildew.
Now that you know what vegan crops are best for a plant-based pantry, it's time to consider the best ways in which you can keep these crops around for longer.
In conclusion, using a polytunnel effectively allows you to extend the growing season, enabling a wide range of crops to thrive under its shelter. By carefully selecting suitable crops, preparing the soil, and implementing strategic planting schedules based on the time of year, you can ensure a continuous supply of fresh produce. Don’t forget to follow appropriate methods for canning and preserving your crops, such as water bath canning, to ensure you can keep your vegan crops around for longer inside your plant-based pantry.
Sean Barker is the Managing Director of First Tunnels and a passionate advocate for sustainable gardening.
With over 30 years of experience in the gardening industry, Sean has dedicated himself to helping gardeners across the UK maximise their growing potential through the effective use of polytunnels. His blog offers a wealth of practical tips, expert advice, and innovative solutions for maintaining and optimising polytunnels, ensuring gardeners can enjoy bountiful harvests all year round. Sean can often be found experimenting with new growing techniques in his polytunnel, always eager to share his findings with fellow enthusiasts.