Greenhouse vs Polytunnel: Which One Should You Choose? 

Excellent video that I’ve been wondering about for a while. Both are better options than my current solution of covering each plant with a blueberry bag 😅

Definitely the best video I have ever seen on the pro's and cons of both! Thanx Shaun. :)

Lots of mods for both. I got double polyethylene inflated with shade cloth on top and twin wall polycarbonate on both ends. Inflated poly has the highest R value. You can easily upgrade that poly tunnel with a blower and extra layer if you wanted to heat it.

What a fantastic video Shaun, thank you

nice comparison video, I currently have an old garden shed converted into a greenhouse using clear corrugated roofing plastic but plan on upgrading in the future. This video is very helpful.

My 2c worth: For people that are uncertain what they want or just need something short term like renters, polycarbonate greenhouses can be looked at. They assemble and disassemble without too much hassle so you can bring them with you if you want to move house or upgrade to a bigger one. Some brands can have very thin panels though so they might bend or buckle and pop out of place or even fly away if you place it in an open area or somewhere that gets heavy wind loading, many youtubers recommend using acrylic sealant around the panel edges, but it can look messy and make disassembly more difficult. Even small size greenhouses or polytunnels can get incredible heat build up, so air circulation can be a problem if they're too well closed without automatic venting like Shaun showed. A small solar panel with 12v fans can do a good job to get a bit of airflow going in a small space, even if it's just enough to shake the plants lightly and avoid powdery mildew and keep tiny crawlers away. There's some great ideas on the More Chillichump channel (www.youtube.com/@ChilliChump2) that I'll be getting into for automation, temp and humidity sensors over the rest of the summer. Lastly, don't be getting stressed about your polytunnel/greenhouse/gardening issues, it's meant to be stress relieving and enjoyment! Everyone has issues at some stage or another, solving them is pure satisfaction that you're making progress :)

Great video. You answered questions I never thought I needed answered. I only grow about 20 chilli plants, so I can get away with a heat pad close to a sunny window.

A boatload of great information. Thanks so much for giving us the 411. Your space always looks amazing. I am looking forward to your next LS. Until then Stay Spicy.

Nice and informative. I guess another bonus with having a greenhouse is that you can quite easily collect rain water from it as well. I heard JB talk about having seen something for polytunnels as well, but it at least seems a lot easier with a greenhouse.

I built a small greenhouse on wheels. 3'x8'x6' on wheels. Too bad I can't do a photo here on RU-vid as it's easier than describing. I skinned it like a drum or an artist's canvas with plastic sheeting and some plastic molding that I stapled down. To assist with the heat I had shade cloth, which could be rolled out over the top. This helped immensely when the ventilation wasn't enough (or I didn't want to roll the greenhouse into complete shade). The caveat here were the surprise hot days (external temp 115F). The sun is BRUTAL here. I didn't realize the temperature and the plastic was destroyed. I'm planning on moving but I'm leery of plastic now. Greenhouse all the way and perhaps a few external mounting points for shade sails if things get rough.

Thank you so much. I have recently cleared what was a huge raised bed and my first intention was to level it and put a poly tunnel in. I'm not going to now, I'll still level it but it will be a long greenhouse or two back to back. Hands down the best comparison video I have seen and as always honest and insightful. I also remember the problems you had with "that" greenhouse, I'll get mine elsewhere :)

very helpful video! @9:48 i am curious about keeping the green house clean. Here in Birmingham Alabama, at the Botanical gardents, they have an awesome green house (they grow citrus, coffee, banana's), but there is this 'growth' on the glass that they cant clean and dont know what it is. I notice a 'green growth' on your glass and wonder how labor intensive is it to clean.

Thank you

Very informative video Shaun! Hopefully you have answered many questions that viewers may have. In these parts there are times when the hail comes through, and not only spiders a front or rear windshield, the hail will also enter into the vehicle. Not all that often, but all it takes is that one hailstorm to defeat the long term benefit of a glassed greenhouse. On the other hand, the poly tunnel or hoop house can be a one person operation, although two sure makes assembly so much easier. In either event, one or the other can lead to an extended growing season. Stay Spicy! -Bob...

You can join smaller greenhouses as I've just had this done on ours, as we were offered another greenhouse the same size as ours as it was no longer used. I can clarify it is a pain though and required some jerryrigging, wouldnt recommend for anyone some decent DIY skills. If you are very handy though its a nice way to double up size if you get an offer / see a second hand greenhouse going cheap the same size (or at least width) as the one you currently have.

Think I'm going to be happy with two layers of row cover but I don't have that UK wind to worry about either. ✌😁✌

Another fantastic video shaun very informative, just realised poly tunnels dont have any gutters to collect rain water big disadvantage compared to a greenhouse. Keep up the great videos, regards brad from north lincs

looking at bg chump.. you obviously don't get to much snow... it would be rushed from snow load in the middle here.. it's just beautiful.. wish i had one.. little chump that is.

Nice vid

Live close to (and visit regularly) the south Devon chilli farm - all polytunnels even a new one they put up this year, on a slope which draws air, and fan vents up top both ends. They do plant into the ground though so maybe why that’s their preference?

Shaun you could lecture at the university...perfect video🙂

Hey Shaun, did you look at the polycrub ? with me living in the Outer Hebrides the wind was the reason for me to get a polycrub made and designed on Shetland very robust.

Could the glass house cool down slower due to thermal mass? I've found glasshouses a lot more dry than a tunnel, not sure why. Maybe the cracks between the glass to let it breath

I've given up on a greenhouse. The strong winds here in uk smash the glass

Great video. Do your louvre vents have auto-openers or do you operate those ones manually? If so can you recommend a brand? Thanks.

What are peoples thoughts on light spectrum filtering with UV treated or opaque products?

Would you ever consider fitting a misting system to dampen down on really hot days or would this potentially cause problems with damp/ humidity around the plants?

glass kilms have to be run 24/7 just to keep it running so hidden green washing in there polly tunnel plastic could be cut up as weed mats or put in hot oil to make runny goup for better waste processing

would you recommend running the hoop house e/s or n/s?

Good evening fellow lincolnshire man ... i have a question regarding insects if you have some wisdom you can share . This is the first year i am attempting to grow some chillis . Im behind i have made some blunders but we live and learn . My question is in relation to gnats and how you deal with them,ive done some research but i'm after your opinion on the matter please .. thanks in advance

Which one gives better pest protection. Pest are always my curse

Just put up a shading net.

Have you ever used twin wall in a greenhouse?

What size and brand popytunnel you got there exactly? 🤔

An extra arch added to the poly tunnel twice a season and maybe Mrs ChiliChump won't notice?

Even with fans, shade cloth, and vents in my greenhouse, I can't keep plants in there past early-June. Everything in there just gets fried.

I'm so happy with my Rhino Greenhouse. I was going 8 x 6 but in the end went 8 x 12 you are so right that you need to go as big as possible. I still think I'd easily fill it if it was twice as big.