Hoophouse Or High Tunnel

Hoophouses and high tunnels are more popular than ever for farms and home gardens. A hoophouse is a greenhouse usually heated only by the sun. Hoophouses are usually made with steel bows and covered with plastic. They are generally built without concrete footings and used for growing crops in the ground.

Hoophouses stay warmer than outside and protect crops from wind and rain. This helps to prevent stress and reduce pressure from fungal disease. Hoophouses allow fruits and vegetables to grow at times usually out of their regular growing season. They even allow cold-hardy crops to grow through the deep winter. High tunnels create a microclimate that simulates the temperatures of a location several hardiness zones closer to the equator.