Grow Produce Year-round With Tunnels And Greenhouses

Climate change is an inescapable reality and can wreak havoc in open-field production systems that rely on the right weather patterns to produce good yields. For this reason, many producers worldwide have turned to growing crops in tunnels or greenhouses. These production systems offer protection from changing weather patterns, allowing them to grow crops throughout the year.

- Ursula Human

Although tunnels and greenhouses seem similar, there are some differences. While tunnels are usually constructed over bare soil and crops are grown directly in the soil, greenhouses often have a ground cover and plants are grown in pots and other substrates such as peat moss, vermiculite and perlite. In terms of climate control, smaller tunnels typically do not use heating or cooling systems, while greenhouses and larger tunnels use technology to control ventilation and temperature.

Popular crops

According to Dries Henning, managing director at greenhouse supplier Dynatrade, anything can be grown in tunnels or greenhouses if the value of the produce warrants the initial investment and running costs associated with these production systems.

Crops that are commonly grown in both tunnels and greenhouses include flowers, fruit, and vegetables that are sensitive to external elements. Greenhouses are also used to create the ideal conditions for farming fish and crocodiles.

According to Monique Pretorius, sales and marketing co-ordinator at Haygrove Growing Systems, most fruit and vegetables can be grown in tunnels. “Our tunnels are popular for producing blueberries and strawberries, fruit trees, seedlings, flowers, cannabis as well as for housing hydroponic systems.”

Sacha Buchanan, owner of Eco Tunnels, says their tunnels are popular among gardeners and small-scale farmers. She says that salad crops such as lettuce, tomato, peppers, spinach, and celery are commonly grown in tunnels.

The benefits of greenhouses