ShelterTech High Tunnel Greenhouse

Greenhouses convert sunlight energy into heat, which is trapped inside the greenhouse giving the plants a warmer and more suitable environment. The sun’s rays enter the greenhouse where they are absorbed by plants and crops and turned into heat. The plants and crops release this heat into the greenhouse where it is trapped, therefore creating a warmer atmosphere. Depending on the size of your greenhouse, it may get too hot, which is where ventilation windows may come in handy.

Smaller, single plant greenhouses are known as cold frames. Cold frame greenhouses are typically much smaller and cover one or two plants. They still function like a typical greenhouse in that it provides shelter and warmth to the plants year round.

While there are multitude of crops that can be planted in a cold frame greenhouse, it is important to remember that cold frames do not supply additional heat, unlike modern greenhouses that may utilize electricity or gas to provide an additional heat source. That being said, you still have plenty of options when it comes to commercial greenhouse farming.

Feb – April (Early Spring)

·        Arugula

·        Broccoli

·        Spinach

·        Kale

·        Radishes

·        Chard

·        Lettuce

·        Cabbage

·        Cauliflower

·        Scallions

April – May (Late Spring)

·        Melons

·        Cantaloupe

·        Pumpkins

·        Tomatoes

·        Peppers

·        Eggplant

·        Corn

·        Beans

·        Celery

·        Squash

Autumn

·        Cauliflower

·        Lettuce

·        Spinach

·        Kale

·        Radishes

·        Cabbage

Winter

Spinach
Leeks
Parsley
Lettuce
Arugula
 

The main difference between a high tunnel and a modern greenhouse is that high tunnel greenhouses utilize passive ventilation for cooling and air exchange. Modern greenhouses are typically equipped with electricity or gas to provide automated heating and ventilation.

High tunnel greenhouses by ShelterLogic are either 11ft 6in or 12ft, depending on width and length. All ShelterLogic cold frames are fully customizable to desired specifications.  They can range from 18-34ft wide and 4-100ft long.

Certain crops such as peppers, tomatoes, and beans are susceptible to higher temperatures. Temperatures exceeding 85°F may cause certain crops like lettuce to not germinate. Proper ventilation in your cold frame greenhouse is vitally important to ensuring your crops stay healthy.