The new tunnel is 4.3m wide and 14.7m long, the tubes arrived and we set to with the process of the installation.
Location decided Melv began to mark out, install the footings and lay the tubes in place, of course he had plenty of help from our feathered friends.
A fraction the size of our main tunnel, it soon started to take shape and the frame was soon assembled.
Sal followed on behind with the hotspot tape, which is placed round the metal frame to prevent the deterioration of the plastic caused by the tubes heating up in the sun.
The framework complete, a trench is needed to hold the polythene in place and provide important drainage, this was a job that was very popular with the girls - an excellent feeding opportunity!!
Humidity is a massive factor to consider when growing baby leaf salads through the winter, to cut this down we are sealing the ground with damp proof membrane, which will also tuck down into the trench to aid the flow of condensation off the polythene and out of the tunnel.
The first calm spell - which at one time seemed few and far between, we unrolled the polythene along side.
In no time at all and just as the sun was setting it was draped in position
To provide the assurance that it would not end up wrapped around the Glastonbury Tor on a windy day, we tucked the polythene into the trench and filled it with water.
The girls confirmed that this was a good move and approved of their new drinking trough!
Pleating the ends is always a little tricky, but my it was starting to look smart, both outside and inside
Outside the water in the trench was replaced with stone
All that was left to do was the installation of the doors - no problem for Melv and we soon had two functioning entrances - lovely.
Standing back to take a look, it fits in a treat with our existing infrastructure
Exciting times - bring on the revamped LEDs - just in time for the big Christmas switch on!
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