Are you a backyard gardener or professional farmer looking to improve your yields and extend your growing season? Then protected growing is the way to go. Let’s find out how you can use tunnel greenhouses to protect your crops and extend your growing season.
Why use a Tunnel greenhouse?
High Tunnel greenhouses are a great and simple way to increase your crop yields. Most importantly, they extend the growing season. By protecting plants from the elements and providing insulation, the soil inside a high tunnel takes much longer to freeze and frost damage is reduced by an extra 3 to 4 weeks at each end of the growing season. This allows growers to start planting earlier and harvest longer. Plants grown in high tunnels are also healthier than those grown in the field; high tunnels protect plants from wind, reducing stress and potential photosynthesis shutdown. High tunnels also keep out harmful driving rain, allowing you to maintain adequate and consistent moisture levels with your own irrigation system. High tunnels also reduce overall labour requirements.
Soil warming, wind and rain protection and reduced labour and operating costs are not the only benefits of a high tunnel. In the field, diseases, insects, pests and wildlife can threaten your crops. All of these harmful factors are greatly reduced by high tunnels. By controlling the moisture, sun and heat inside your high tunnel, you can reap the benefits of better-flavoured produce sooner.
VEVOR Walk-in Tunnel Greenhouse
This portable walk-in tunnel greenhouse is made of a galvanized frame and a waterproof PE cover. The cover is designed to keep out pests, while the frame provides excellent support during strong winds and storms.
This greenhouse has several advantages we will highlight below to ensure your plants are safe under any weather condition.
Features and performance of VEVOR Walk-in Tunnel Greenhouse
- Easy to assemble
This type of greenhouse comes with tools that are easy to assemble and place on the cover. As a user, you get an easy time setting up and protecting your plants against harsh weather conditions.
- Suitable for home plants
In case you plan to have home plants such as vegetables and flowers, this is a good choice as you can easily regulate to optimum conditions for your plants at home. You do not have to worry during extreme weather periods such as summer or winter, your plants are sorted.
- Protect from UV rays
The cover is made of polyethylene (PE) material that prevents your plants from being severely affected by UV rays from the sun. Indoor plants can thrive well here because these features are suitable for such sensitive plants.
- Dome shaped
This greenhouse is dome-shaped which is efficient for the snowing season. Unlike a flat-shaped greenhouse, with this, the snow does not build up on top adding more weight to the frames.
- Zipped up door
This feature allows you to regulate temperatures in the greenhouse. When the temperatures are high, you can open the door to allow clean air to flow in the greenhouse and when it is cold, you can also zip up the door to keep the inside warmer.
Specifications
- Frame Material: Galvanized Steel
- Cover Material: 140 g/cm³ PE
- Size: 10 x 7 x 7 ft / 3 x 2.1 x 2.1 m
- Weight: 28.2 lbs / 12.8 kg
- Mesh Windows: 6
- Top Beam: 1
- Diagonal Poles: 2
Comparing the difference between a high tunnel and a Tunnel greenhouse
So we now know that both options can offer extended growing seasons and, in the case of a greenhouse, year-round growing. Both can help growers get a head start in the early spring and extend their growing season right through to the cooler, darker days of autumn.
The fundamental difference is in the way they work, with a greenhouse being more active and a high tunnel more passive. But what does this mean?
For air exchange and cooling, a high tunnel uses passive ventilation, whereas a greenhouse typically uses electricity and automated heating and ventilation systems. This means that high tunnels, Tunnel greenhouse and polytunnels are passive and greenhouses are active.
However, the argument between high tunnels and greenhouses has to go beyond the simple fact that one is active and the other passive, because technological advances and practical work change the parameters of this argument.
Best Tunnel greenhouse kits: Buyer’s Guide
Regardless of the desired length, height or width, your Tunnel greenhouse greenhouse will need to include a few essential components. These elements or features make these greenhouses perfect for backyard placement. As a result, we have included a list of some of these basic features to serve as your guide when buying a Tunnel greenhouse greenhouse.
Before we go any further, let us remind you that there is no best or worst greenhouse option. It all depends on your needs, available space, local weather, etc. Therefore, look for the ‘right greenhouse’ for you rather than the ‘best greenhouse’.
The hardware
Not all kits are created equal. That’s why it’s important to do your homework on the hardware that comes with the hoop greenhouse kit you’re considering buying. For example, some kits include the hip boards and skirting boards, while others require you to buy them locally.
So think about what is best for you and make your choice. However, we recommend that you choose a kit that includes all the essential and basic hardware components such as nuts, screws, bolts, washers, etc.
The thickness of the tyres
The thickness of the tyres is a consideration that we often forget to take into account. The strength of the hoop is indicated by the metal gauge used in its construction. All gardeners are advised to use 16 gauge galvanised steel hoops. In addition, it would be fantastic to choose hoops with a waterproof coating. Keep in mind that while lighter gauge metals are less expensive, they won’t be as durable.
Additional information
Before you buy a greenhouse kit, make sure you have all the options you need. Many brands offer in-depth information to help you make the best choice. Research the product, the kit components and local hardware requirements. Also consider the price and availability of locally sourced items. There is nothing worse than missing nuts and bolts.
Can I use a Tunnel greenhouse in the summer?
Yes, Tunnel greenhouse are ideal for use during the summer months. A Tunnel greenhouse acts as a mini greenhouse without the glass cover. Instead, the heavy greenhouse plastic sheeting does the job. To keep insects away from your plants, cover them with blankets or fabric. In addition, shade covers can protect your plants on hot summer days.
Why is not everything included in a Tunnel greenhouse?
The explanation is simple: You may not always need the extra items. Different growers use Tunnel greenhouse for different purposes. Most brands offer Tunnel greenhouse kits with all the basic hardware. Whether you need accessories depends on how you customise the kit. You would therefore need to buy them locally.
Things to consider before buying a backyard greenhouse
If you’re in the market for a backyard greenhouse system, remember the attributes that make a great backyard growing structure. The goal is to get a structure that has the ability to provide a successful growing environment for years to come.
Here are four important things to look for in ANY backyard greenhouse:
- Durability
- Versatility
- Season extension capabilities
- Scalable size
Each of the models outlined in this article has durability and strength built into its design. This can provide you with an excellent protected growing environment for many years of reliable growing. Choose the model that suits your needs and be confident that you are choosing the best.
