Welcome to our blog post on “high tunnel vs greenhouse”! This topic is crucial for every gardener and homeowner looking to optimize their plant nurturing environments.
The choice between a high tunnel and a greenhouse significantly impacts plant growth, protection, and overall gardening success.
After conducting experiments with it, we found that a greenhouse offers superior climate control, durability, and advanced ventilation options compared to a high tunnel, making it ideal for year-round gardening and customizable for specific needs.
Let’s delve into the specifics, exploring the pros, cons, and notable differences between high tunnels and commercial greenhouses by Greenhouse Emporium to guide you in making an educated decision for your gardening endeavors.
High Tunnel vs Greenhouse – Pros and Cons of Each
Navigating through the choices between a high tunnel and a greenhouse is a pivotal decision in your gardening journey.
Both structures offer unique advantages and challenges that cater to the different needs and preferences of gardeners.
Through our practical knowledge here at Greenhouse Emporium, we’ve seen how this choice can significantly influence the success and ease of your gardening endeavors.
Let’s delve into the specifics.
Site prep and construction
As indicated by our tests, high tunnels are generally simpler and quicker to construct than greenhouses. This is due to the fact that they usually don’t require a permanent foundation, making them relatively easy to move if needed.
However, site preparation for high tunnel greenhouses, like leveling and ensuring good drainage, is crucial to avoid waterlogging and ensure stability. Moreover, we encourage thoughtful consideration of location, space, and climate, which are crucial in the early stages of planning.
Greenhouses, particularly Solexx greenhouse kits, and brands like Janssens, Riga, and Mont, often require a more stable foundation to ensure durability and longevity. The construction is typically more intensive and may require professional installation or a seasoned DIYer.
But what you get at the end of it is a more durable greenhouse that can last you for up to 10 years at a time.
Ventilation
High tunnels rely on manual methods for ventilation, such as rolling up the sides or opening end doors, which can be labor-intensive and less precise in controlling temperature and humidity.
Greenhouses, particularly geodesic greenhouses from Lumen & Forge, often have more advanced ventilation options, including automatic vent openers, exhaust fans, and louvre windows, providing better control over the internal environment.
They can be set to operate based on temperature or humidity levels, ensuring optimal conditions for plant growth without requiring constant manual adjustments. This advanced ventilation technology provides gardeners with superior control over the internal environment.
Durability
After rigorous testing, we’ve confirmed that high tunnels, while effective for short-term use, don’t match the durability of greenhouses.
Their simpler construction and lighter materials make them less resilient to extreme weather conditions. However, with proper maintenance, they can serve you well for multiple growing seasons.
Brands like Riga and Mont are known for their robust and durable small garden greenhouses, capable of withstanding harsh weather conditions and providing a more permanent and stable solution for year-round gardening, even in smaller backyards.
Design
High tunnels usually sport a simple, quasi-cylindrical design that prioritizes function over form, making them a go-to for gardeners who are more concerned with practicality.
In contrast, greenhouses from brands like Janssens, Solexx, and Lumen & Forge offer a wide range of greenhouse shapes.
Whether you’re looking for a classic Victorian style or an ultra modern greenhouse, you can select a greenhouse that not only meets your horticultural needs but also the best indoor greenhouse kits that enhance the visual appeal of your home and garden.
Heat retention and shading
Through our practical knowledge, we found that high tunnels can retain heat but generally lack the advanced insulation options available for greenhouses. Shading in high tunnels often requires manual effort, like applying shade cloths.
Are glass greenhouses better than plastic? Yes, they are. Based on our first hand experience, greenhouses, particularly ones made of glass, can provide superior heat retention through integrated heating systems and automated shading solutions, providing a more controlled and efficient environment for plant growth.
Brands like Solexx offer these options in the form of replacement covers for greenhouses to protect plants during the hotter months.
Internal microclimate
Because they’re limited in controlling the internal microclimate (just like with ‘hot house vs greenhouse‘ discussions), high tunnels depend heavily on manual intervention to regulate temperature, humidity, and ventilation.
By offering advanced technologies and accessories, greenhouses allow gardeners to create and control an optimal internal microclimate, enhancing plant growth and extending the growing season.
Overall, both high tunnels and greenhouses have their own sets of pros and cons, and the choice between the two should align with your gardening needs, skills, and future plans.
Both structures can cater to different skill levels of gardeners, from beginners to seasoned professionals.
Choosing between a high tunnel and a greenhouse involves considering various factors, including:
- construction
- durability
- design
- ability to control the internal environment
Both have their merits and limitations, and your choice should resonate with your gardening aspirations, spatial availability, and climatic conditions.
Overall, we determined through our tests that, when compared with a high tunnel, a greenhouse provides better climate control, durability, and sophisticated ventilation choices, making it perfect for year-round growing and adaptable to different gardening needs.
Act now and shop our premium greenhouses and quality greenhouse kits at Greenhouse Emporium, and let’s cultivate your green haven together!
