As summer fades and autumn approaches, your polytunnel needs a different kind of attention. The intense heat that challenged your crops in January and February gives way to cooler mornings and shorter days. A well-prepared structure now sets you up for a productive autumn harvest and a smooth transition into winter.
Whether you run a commercial nursery or maintain a serious home garden, a systematic checklist helps protect your investment and extend your growing season. Here is a practical guide to preparing your polytunnel for autumn, with links to the products that make it happen.
You can explore our full range of polytunnels, shade cloth, and greenhouse covers to find the right solution for your setup.
1. Inspect and Maintain Your Cover
Your greenhouse film or plastic cover has weathered months of UV exposure, wind, and temperature swings. Before autumn sets in, check for tears, brittle spots, or loose edges. Small damage can worsen quickly once rain and cooler weather arrive.
If you need to replace or upgrade your cover, our 250-micron premium EVA greenhouse film is built for Australian conditions. It is anti-UV, anti-drip, and anti-fog, with high light diffusion for healthier plants. For polytunnels with roll-up windows and proper ventilation, the Polytunnel Elite Kit offers a 5-piece modular design that makes cover maintenance and seasonal changes straightforward.
2. Adjust Ventilation for Cooler Mornings
Autumn brings cooler nights and milder days. Stale, humid air encourages fungal disease, while sudden temperature drops can stress plants. Good ventilation is essential.
If your structure has roll-up windows, use them to create a cross-breeze during the day and close them before evening to retain warmth. Polytunnels with built-in ventilation, such as our Elite and Pro kits, give you the control you need. For growers planning an upgrade, ventilation is one of the most valuable features to prioritise.
3. Reassess Shade Requirements
In late summer and early autumn, the sun can still be intense in many parts of Australia. Shade cloth that protected crops in January may still be needed in March. As the angle of the sun changes, you may find that some areas need more shade while others need less.
Our shade cloth range includes 30%, 50%, and 70% UV block options. The 50% UV Block shade cloth with reinforced eyelets is ideal for vegetable gardens, reducing temperatures by 10 to 15°C while allowing plenty of light. For permanent shade structures, our Shade House Kits provide a robust, long-term solution.
4. Clean and Organise
Autumn is a good time to clear spent summer crops, remove debris, and sanitise surfaces. Algae, moss, and pest residues can build up over a long growing season. A clean environment reduces disease pressure and makes it easier to spot problems early.
Wipe down the inside of your cover to improve light transmission. Check gutters and drainage so water does not pool around footings. Inspect frame connections, bolts, and bracing. A well-maintained structure will handle autumn storms and prepare you for winter.
5. Plan Your Autumn Planting
Autumn is ideal for cool-season crops. Leafy greens, brassicas, root vegetables, and herbs thrive in the milder conditions. With a protected environment, you can extend your harvest well into winter.
Consider crop rotation to avoid soil-borne disease. If you use plant support systems, ensure stakes, trellises, and netting are in good condition. Our plant support and stakes collection includes everything from bamboo canes to heavy-duty rose rings for climbing plants.
Built for Life, Ready for Autumn
A polytunnel that is well maintained and correctly configured will reward you with healthier plants and longer harvests. Taking time now to inspect, ventilate, shade, and clean pays off as the season changes.
Not sure which structure or cover is right for your autumn setup? Browse our polytunnel range or book a consultation with our team.
