Greenhouse vs Poly Tunnel

[Mumbles]

I currently have a blow away greenhouse but (although he doesn't know it yet) my lovely boyfriend is going to make me a more permanent structure toward the end of this year ready for next growing season.
Now apart from the shape and material they're made out of I can't see any difference between greenhouses and poly tunnels, which one do people recommend? It'll be used for seedlings and toms mainly but I do tend to get a bit excited when buying seeds so could be used for anything!

Thanks



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[RedThorn]

Use a well known search engine starting with g plug in your question and growfruitandveg in the search bar there's quite a few threads

Personally for me it's a glass greenhouse

[Vince G]

Polytunnel all day long. Far cheaper (OK you have to replace the cover every 4 or 5 years or so, but only cost £60 or so). I got a 10' x 10' polytunnel for £200. Imagine how much a greenhouse of that size would cost...

[Mumbles]

wow that sounds like a good deal, where was that from?

[Brom]

There are advantages and disadvantages for both. For me the polytunnel won because I got much more space for my money, now I wish I had bought a bigger one...the more space you have the more you want, they fill up so quickly.

[redser]

More bang for your buck so Polytunnel for me.
But space is an issue. So I have the tunnel at the plot, and an 8 x 6 greenhouse at home.

[Bill HH]

I got one of the cheap polytunnels with the green squared poly cover and zip up doors, but it was only £50 marked down cos the box was damaged. I built a door from wood and I love it. The coverings of this type only last 2 seasons but the frame looks good for years and a new cover with proper poly wont cost much. Compare that to my greenhouse of a similar size which was £300. Thats the cost side of it, but looks are another matter, if its in your back garden the GH wins.

[andy_j]

Glass every time for me.

[Nightshade]

This very question was covered on Gardeners Question Time on BBC Radio 4 several weeks ago.

I will give you the short answer. A glass greenhouse with good ventilation is the best option as the airflow is different to a polytunnel and much better. But a pollytunnel wins on price alone and nothing else. You will get more space for your money with a pollytunnel.

So if you are rich get a good large glass greenhouse if not get a small glass greenhouse or a large pollytunnel.