View source for Polytunnel

{{Short description|Type of greenhouse}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{more citations needed|date=April 2023}}
[[File:Polytunnel Balhungie.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Polytunnels on Balhungie Farm, [[Angus, Scotland|Angus]]]]

A '''polytunnel''' (also known as a '''polyhouse''', '''hoop greenhouse''' or '''hoophouse''', '''grow tunnel''' or '''high tunnel''') is a tunnel typically made from steel and covered in [[polyethylene]], usually semi-circular, square or elongated in shape. The interior heats up because incoming [[solar radiation]] from the sun warms plants, soil, and other things inside the building faster than heat can escape the structure. Air warmed by the heat from hot interior surfaces is retained in the building by the roof and wall. [[Temperature]], [[humidity]] and [[ventilation (architecture)|ventilation]] can be controlled by equipment fixed in the polytunnel or by manual opening and closing of vents. Polytunnels are mainly used in temperate regions in similar ways to glass [[greenhouse]]s and [[row cover]]s. Besides the [[passive solar]] heating that every polytunnel provides, every variation of auxiliary heating (from hothouse heating through minimal heating to unheated houses) is represented in current practice. The nesting of row covers and low tunnels inside high tunnels is also common.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Blomgren|first=Ted|last2=Frisch|first2=Tracy|date=May 2007|title=High Tunnels: Using Low-Cost Technology to Increase Yields, Improve Quality and Extend the Season|url=https://www.sare.org/wp-content/uploads/HighTunnels_UVM.pdf|access-date=26 October 2020|website=SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education)}}</ref>

[[File:Superbay Polytunnel.jpg|thumb|Superbay Polytunnel at Van Arnham Nurseries]]

Polytunnels can be used to provide a higher temperature and/or humidity than that which is available in the environment but can also protect crops from intense heat, bright sunlight, [[wind]]s, [[hail]]stones, and [[cold wave]]s. This allows [[fruit]]s and [[vegetable]]s to be grown at times usually considered off season; [[market garden]]ers commonly use polytunnels for [[season extension]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Winter Production in the High Tunnel {{!}} Johnny's Winter Growing Guide|url=https://www.johnnyseeds.com/growers-library/vegetables/winter-growing-guide-high-tunnel-production.html|access-date=26 October 2020|website=www.johnnyseeds.com}}</ref> Beyond season extension, polytunnels are also used to allow cold-hardy crops to [[overwintering|overwinter]] in regions where their [[hardiness (plants)|hardiness]] is not quite strong enough for them to survive outdoors. Temperature increases of only {{convert|5|to|15|C-change|0}} above outdoor ambient, coupled with protection from the [[drying]] effect of [[wind]], are enough to let selected plant varieties grow slowly but healthily instead of dying. The effect is to create a [[microclimate]] that simulates the temperatures of a location several hardiness zones closer to the equator (and protects from wind as well).

[[File:Bespoke Superbay Polytunnel.jpg|thumb|Superbay Polytunnel – Otter Nurseries]]

Every factor influencing a crop can be controlled in a polytunnel. Polytunnels are often used in [[floriculture]] and [[plant nursery|plant nurseries]], as the [[revenue]] value of the plants can justify the expense.

In recent years the true adaptability of polytunnel structures has been realised by adapting them to suit livestock housing. It is now commonplace in the UK to see polytunnels used for housing [[sheep]], [[alpacas]], [[goats]], [[Calf (animal)|calves]] and [[poultry]].

== Climatic differences ==

===Temperate regions===
Polytunnels are mainly used in temperate regions in similar ways to [[greenhouse]]s and cloches ([[row cover]]s). Modern designs allow sowing and harvesting machines to move inside the structures so as to automate production. Polytunnels have had a significant effect on the production of [[strawberries]] in the [[United Kingdom]]. Other soft fruits such as [[Raspberry|raspberries]] and [[blackberries]] are also cultivated in the same way.
[[File:5 bay Multi-span Polytunnel.jpg|thumb|Multi-Span Polytunnel – Evesham]]

===Climate change and protected culture===
In response to climate variability, many growers in colder regions are transitioning from open-field cultivation to protected agriculture using polytunnels and high tunnels. This shift allows for better control of temperature, less risk, and disease pressure—factors increasingly influenced by climate change. Large-scale projects now implement modern tunnel systems to extend growing seasons, reduce crop loss, and ensure more quality and higher yields.

[[File:HARNOIS Greenhouses - Entreprises Pitre Project.jpg|thumb|alt=170 high polytunnels by Harnois at Entreprises Pitre|170 high polytunnels by Harnois at Entreprises Pitre]]

===Other regions===
In a tropical climate, temperatures are prone to soar above all normal levels. In such cases, [[Ultrasonic hydroponic fogger|foggers]]/misters are used to reduce the temperature. This does not increase the humidity levels in the poly house as the evaporated droplets are almost immediately ventilated to open air.

High-tech poly houses even have space-heating systems as well as soil-heating systems to purify the soil of unwanted viruses, bacteria, and other organisms.  The recent Indo-Israel collaboration at Gharunda, near [[Karnal]] is an excellent example of Polyhouse farming taking place in a developing country.
[[File:FlockMaster Polytunnel.jpg|thumb|FlockMaster Livestock Polytunnel – Church Farm]]
[[File:Polytunnels near Ide - geograph.org.uk - 1321021.jpg|thumb|Spanish Fruit Tunnels]]
[[File:Solar Single Span Hobby Polytunnel.jpg|thumb|Hobby Polytunnel]]
If developing countries were to develop a special incentive program solely for fruit-and-vegetable farmers, especially in demographically large nations like India, then the migration rate from rural to urban areas (as well as the loss of horticultural and fruit/vegetable farmers) to urban areas may be reduced.  This brings a huge potential to improve the farming sector, which is key to long-term economic stability. The small polytunnels used by each farmer in each village promote the cultivation of vegetables both on-season and off-season, and would actually help to moderate the market rate for fruit and vegetables in long run, on a year-round basis, and would help to satisfy local market needs.

For example, in India, the inability to grow tomatoes generates price spikes during the monsoon season. This is seen as an ideal time to grow tomatoes in polytunnels, since they provide the ideal climate for the crop. In India, the [[Abhinav Farmers Club]] grows flowers and organic vegetables in polytunnels.<ref name="LM-20120517">{{cite web |url= http://www.livemint.com/Politics/fW2Pw8ziSw8mFsElM8AEnM/Planting-the-seeds-of-prosperity.html |title= Planting the seeds of prosperity |last= Bhattacharyya |first= Pramit |date= 17 May 2012 |work= Livemint.com |access-date= 23 November 2012 |publisher= [[HT Media]]}}</ref>

==Development==
[[File:Hoop house.jpg|thumbnail|A Missouri farmer inspecting an early tomato crop in a hoop house.]]Hoophouses have existed at least since the 1940s, but they are much more commonly used with each passing decade, and their design continues to evolve. Because of the wide variety of constantly changing designs, in reality there is an entirely [[continuous function|continuous]] spectrum from high tunnels through low tunnels to the simplest row covers, although they are often thought about as discrete steps. Major themes of continuing development are (1) achieving the same results with lighter construction and less cost and (2) making hoophouses easily movable. The advantages of mobile hoophouses include greater [[return on investment]] (with the same unit of investment getting greater use per year across different crops in different months) and more flexibility on [[crop rotation]] without ever having to bother to dig the soil out of a stationary house (or use [[soil steam sterilization]]) to cure greenhouse soil sickness.

A [[US Department of Agriculture]] program is helping farmers install polytunnels. The program was announced at the US [[White House]] garden in December 2009.<ref>{{cite press release |title= USDA to launch high tunnel pilot study to increase availability of locally grown foods |author= Office of Communications: [[United States Department of Agriculture]] (USDA) |url= http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2009/12/0617.xml |issue= Release #0617.09 |date= 16 December 2009 |location= Washington, DC |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100131040940/http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true |archive-date= 31 January 2010 |url-status= dead }}</ref>

Farmers in [[Iraq]] are building these in increasing number and adding [[drip irrigation]] to grow tomatoes.<ref>{{cite web |last= Tharp |first= Mike |date= 17 July 2009 |title= Once world's bread basket, Iraq now a farming basket case |work= McClatchyDC |publisher= [[The McClatchy Company]] |url= http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2009/07/17/72051/once-worlds-bread-basket-iraq.html }}</ref>

== References ==

{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{YouTube|id= 14jE1T2Vd_Q |title= USDA promotes hoop houses at White House garden event intro}}. 11 December 2009 by {{YouTube|user= usda |title= USDA |link= no}}.
* [http://www.hortweek.com/polytunnels/products-kit/article/1414832 Polytunnels] on Hortweek 1 November 2016
* [http://www.hortweek.com/polytunnels-second-generation/products-kit/article/1333766 Polytunnels: Second generation] on Hortweek 13 February 2015
* [http://www.hortweek.com/polytunnels/fresh-produce/article/1371682 Polytunnels – Fresh Produce] on Hortweek 6 November 2015
* [https://www.firsttunnels.co.uk/buyers-guide Polytunnels – FAQ & Buyers Guide] on First Tunnels 17 May 2023

[[Category:Agricultural buildings]]
[[Category:Greenhouses]]
[[Category:Horticulture]]
[[Category:Portable buildings and shelters]]