We’ve talked before about positioning your polytunnel behind an existing windbreak to protect it from high winds and inclement weather. Of course, you don’t always have that option and in those cases, you have to create your own windbreak. But that doesn’t mean you have to forget the natural option.

Hedging is a fantastic natural windbreak and is much more effective than either a fence or a wall. It’s also more structurally sound, easier to maintain and even a short hedge provides a great deal of protection. Hedging is also far more aesthetically pleasing than a fence or brick wall.

Does your polytunnel need a windbreak?

When you’re considering where to position your polytunnel the space you have available is obviously a big factor but otherwise the wind direction is the most important thing to consider.

In the UK of course the wind mostly blows west to east and you want to position your polytunnel in as sheltered a spot as possible. Heavy duty polytunnels are incredibly wind resistant and if anchored correctly can withstand just about any winds they will be subjected to. However, it always pays to have a little extra insurance.

Most of us will be fortunate in that existing trees, hedging, or buildings will provide a readymade windbreak. But if your site is very exposed, on the coast or prone to high winds the addition of a windbreak should be a priority.

Why use hedging as a windbreak for your polytunnel?

We’ve already mentioned that hedging is very effective as a windbreak for your polytunnel. But let’s back that up and put a bit more meat on the bones.

A hedge can provide far more protection than a fence. Up to around 50% more. As we mentioned a hedge also looks much better and a fence, especially one regularly battered by the wind, will soon look like an eyesore. And a brick wall just looks ugly when compared to neatly trimmed edge.

A hedge not only looks good it is easy to plant, grow and maintain. Basically, you just dig a hole and pop in the plant. Certainly, much easier and faster than building a fence or wall. And don’t forget a hedge can also attract wildlife which is always a bonus.

Why it doesn’t have to take an age to grow a hedge

The main objection to using a hedge as a windbreak is that you have to wait for a few years before it grows high enough to be effective. But this isn’t the case.

Specialist suppliers like our sister site Direct Plants can supply pallet loads of mature hedging. This ‘instant hedging’ means you can create a windbreak in only the time it takes to unload and dig in the plants. You can do this in a single day.

The thing to remember is that even a short hedge can offer a high degree of protection to the polytunnel. The basic rule here is that a hedge will provide protection to an area around 10 times the distance of its height. A two-metre hedge will protect a polytunnel up to 60 metres away. Your hedge should also extend wider than the polytunnel; so, the wind can’t simply flow around it.

Heavy duty polytunnels

No matter how effective a windbreak is, a poor quality polytunnel won’t last too long. Which is why you should always opt for a commercial grade heavy duty polytunnel.

All our polytunnels are made with exactly the same high-quality materials which means home gardeners and allotment holders can enjoy the same quality polytunnels as commercial growers.

And of course, all our polytunnels are made by us in our Norfolk workshops. You can check out the full range of our polytunnels here.