Polytunnel vs Greenhouse poll

[andrewo]

We all know or assume (let's break some of the myths here) that you can grow in a polytunnel all year round and that a greenhouse can lie fallow but I want to hear some of the pros and cons of either. What draws poly heads to tunnels and glass monsters to the house? I would be interested, I've never had a polytunnel but if I had the space I would. However, I have heard that unlike greenhouses they can have major problems with infections and overheating. So, I'm interested, what do you prefer polytunnels or greenhouses?

Andrewo

Brave Man

Greenhouses. Where is Jaxom? We need a poll !!

I will start one at once
Jax

Andrewo asked for information. Lesley asked for a poll.
so here it is.
I will also try to merge the two threads for ease of use.
So we want to know, what do you prefer polytunnels or greenhouses?

Did try and set one up in the thread I started but for some reason it wouldn't accept just two? So apologies for that.

Andrewo

Sorry folks I made a few botch button selections hope the corrections go correctly. cross fingers1 Jax

[Jaxom]

Polytunnel vs Greenhouse poll

Sorry folks I made a few botch button selections hope the corrections go correctly. cross fingers1 Jax

hope this works?

[Nicos]

well... from the poll it looks like we need more info to make our choice!! maybe GYO could present something on this?? My thoughts are that I would prefer to start with a polytunnel rather than a greenhouse because of all the broken glass we get each year due to the high spring winds. We have no water either so that would favour polytunnels too. We only have a greenhouse because it was free. (although we are still very pleased with it!). This is a very interesting thread!!

[Lesley Jay]

Jaxom you missed off one choice - Do you think polytunnels are a blot on the landscape?

[andrewo]

What have I started? Will those who have either please step forward and tell us the pros and cons, so that they undecided amongst us can learn more. I have only ever had a greenhouse but something calls to me from the polytunnel.

Andrewo

[ric]

i started with a 6x8 greenhouse, from the local free ad paper. its oriented east / west with staging on the north side. it did its job but prone to getting too hot , tomatoes in the ground and seed trays or pots on the staging needed watering twice a day. then at a car boot we got a similar sized leanto greenhouse which is now on the west end of the bungalow. this is used as a potting shed and nursery . the trays and pots dont dry out so quick and it doesn't get as hot in early summer cos its not in direct sun until midday. occasionally 3 0r 4 tomatoes get planted accross the south end, but other than that its only got stuff waiting to be planted out elsewhere. about 5 years ago we got two 14 x 30 polytunnels, the tunnels run n/s at either side of the veg patch so act as shelter for the beds between. each tunnel has a bed down the middle for tall stuff, and a bed each side for shorter stuff. the tunnels tend to stay at a more even temp, they dont get so cold at night and the daytime air is a lot damper, if there is no condensation on the roof the soil is far too dry. spring and autumn we only water once a week, twice in mid summer, with an ordinary lawn sprinkler .,
i know i am comparing a small house with a much larger tunnel, but realistically that is the choice most of us have got, large greenhouses are far more expensive than tunnels. My advise is get the biggest tunnels you can fit in, in our case where space is not an issue we actually bought a 65 ft tunnel and assembled it as 2 thirty footers.. not only did this make two sides to the veg patch , but we were advised that a long narrow tunnel may not get enough ventilation in the middle. going wider with the tunnel meant a larger metal gauge with a considerable price hike. what we got was the lowest pound per square metre in the catalogue.

[JennieAtkinson]

Ric
I would be very interested to know what sort of varieties of veg you grow in your polytunnels. Do you grow anything during the winter? I am still experimenting, so ideas gratefully received. I'll start a new thread so it doesn't get mixed up with the poll.

I like the idea of having two tunnels, sheltering an area of ground for veg in the middle. I have not set mine out very well inside - I have a wide bed down one side, smaller on the other and grow bags in the middle. So my plan next year is to redesign with a large bed in the middle and smaller ones at the side. Big job!

Jennie

[Caithness Gardener]

Question evades the real decider - cost. Personally I WOULD LIKE red cedar greenhouse with Alan Tichmarsh to paint it once a year and keep it watered when on holiday.

I HAVE a 24' polytunnel with automatic hozelock watering timer.

[nick the grief]

Ventilation is the main problem with a poly tunnel when you compareit to a greenhouse. but there again, tunnels are cheaper. All the stuff I've read indicates that they aren't the same for growing in either.

Plastic isn't such a good light trasmitter compared with Glass, I don't think its so good a heat retention either, so I would say the best idea is to have both!