It might still be relatively sunny here in South Devon, but we're already thinking about winter storms!
September might feel a little early to be worrying about winter weather, especially when our polytunnels are still bursting with chillies, but there's a good reason we're getting ahead of the game. With the potential for unsettled weather ahead, we're taking the opportunity to prepare our tunnels now, rather than waiting until the first storm is on the forecast.
Why are we preparing so early?
If you've been following us for a while, you'll know that winter storms haven't always been kind to our polytunnels. We've lost a tunnel in each of the last couple of years, and since we've been here, we've had to replace at least one tunnel skin every winter.
It's a frustrating and expensive job, but it's also a reminder of just how quickly things can go wrong when strong winds hit.
Our polytunnels are essential to what we do here at South Devon Chilli Farm. They protect our plants, help us manage the growing environment and allow us to grow the huge variety of chillies that we do. Keeping them in good condition is a big part of protecting the farm and the crops we're growing.
Rather than waiting for the weather to turn, Amrit and Phil have been working through the site to identify the jobs that need doing before winter arrives.
Checking every polytunnel, from top to bottom
Amrit and Phil have been around every polytunnel on the farm, looking for anything that could become a problem when the wind picks up. Some jobs are relatively small, while others need a little more attention, but it's all about dealing with potential weak spots before they become bigger issues.
Repairing holes and weak spots
One of the most important jobs is checking the polytunnel skins for holes, tears and areas where previous repairs might need reinforcing.
It might seem like a tiny hole isn't much to worry about, but even a small gap can cause serious problems in strong winds. If the wind gets underneath the plastic, it can catch the loose edge and turn a small tear into a much bigger rip. Before you know it, the damage can spread along the tunnel and the entire skin can be lost.
That's why we're going around each tunnel, identifying these weak spots and repairing them with suitable repair tape before the weather takes a turn.
It's a simple job that could make a huge difference when the storms arrive.
Making sure the doors are secure
The next job is checking the doors on every tunnel.
Our tunnels have been built at different times and by different people, so the doors aren't all the same. Some are more robust than others, and some need a little maintenance to make sure they're secure and working properly.
We pay particular attention to the runners and fittings, making sure doors are sitting correctly and aren't at risk of coming loose.
Why does this matter so much? If a door comes off its runner during a storm, it can leave the end of the tunnel exposed. Wind can then rush inside, putting enormous pressure on the polytunnel skin from within. Even if the plastic was in good condition to begin with, that sudden pressure can be enough to cause significant damage.
It's another example of how a relatively small problem can quickly become a much bigger one when the weather turns nasty.
It doesn't always take a big storm to cause damage
You might expect that losing a polytunnel would only happen during a particularly dramatic storm, with howling winds and severe weather warnings. But that's not always the case.
Sometimes, we arrive at the farm after what seemed like a fairly ordinary night of wind and gusts, only to discover that something has gone badly wrong.
Polytunnel plastic can be surprisingly vulnerable when the wind finds a weak spot. A loose edge, a small tear or an insecure door can be all it takes for things to unravel.
That's why regular checks and preventative maintenance are so important. We can't control the weather, but we can do our best to make sure our tunnels are in the best possible condition before it arrives.
Getting ahead of the winter weather
Our aim is to get as many repairs and improvements completed as possible while the weather is still on our side.
Trying to fix a damaged tunnel in the middle of a storm is far from ideal. It's difficult, potentially dangerous and often means reacting to damage that could have been prevented. By doing the work now, we hope to reduce the risk of losing another tunnel and avoid the last-minute scramble to secure everything whenever a storm is forecast.
Of course, we can't storm-proof the farm completely, and there's no guarantee that we won't experience damage this winter. But we can give ourselves the best possible chance by spotting problems early and dealing with them before they become emergencies.
So, while the sun is still shining and the chillies are continuing to ripen, there's plenty happening behind the scenes to get the farm ready for the months ahead.
Fingers crossed for a winter that gives our polytunnels a bit of a break this year!
