A guest post from Andrew Plantinga, Facilities Director, Van Belle Nursery
When people ask me about the decision to invest in a high tunnel structure for our nursery, I always say the same thing: it was one of the best calls we’ve made in years. And I don’t say that lightly. I’ve been in this industry long enough to know that not every major purchase delivers on its promise.
We run a large, commercially-oriented nursery operation. Scale matters. Reliability matters. The cost of downtime, crop loss, or a structure that underperforms isn’t just an inconvenience. It’s a real financial hit. So when we started looking at high tunnel options, we weren’t shopping casually. We were doing our homework.
What We Were Looking For
In the U.S., the term “high tunnel” gets used broadly. For us, it meant something specific: a freestanding structure. No gutter connections, no shared load paths. A building that stands entirely on its own, holds its shape under load, and gives us the flexibility to position it wherever our operation needs it.
That distinction matters more than most buyers realize upfront. A freestanding high tunnel handles wind, snow, and structural stress differently than a multi-bay connected greenhouse. The arch design, the steel profile, the foundation system. Every one of those choices has downstream consequences for performance and longevity.
We needed a structure wide enough to allow equipment access, tall enough to support our production workflow, and built to handle real weather. For floriculture and nursery operations, those requirements are non-negotiable. You are not just protecting a crop. You are protecting inventory that took months to develop. We evaluated several options. What brought us to Harnois, and specifically their Ovaltech line, was a combination of things: their manufacturing reputation, the engineering behind their oval tube design, and the way their team communicated with us through the entire process.
The Decision
I’ll be honest with you. Harnois was not the cheapest option on the table. But here’s what I kept coming back to: the total cost of ownership. When you factor in structure longevity, parts availability when something eventually needs attention, and the kind of after-sale support that actually shows up when you need it, the calculation changes.
Harnois stood out at every stage. Clearer invoicing. Faster response times. Better parts availability. Even if it wasn’t the least expensive option, all things considered, it was by far the best decision.
That’s not a marketing line. That’s what I told our ownership team when I made the recommendation, and it’s what I’d tell any grower sitting across from me today.
The High Tunnel in Practice
Once our Ovaltech structure was up and in operation, it delivered exactly what we needed. The freestanding design gave us full flexibility on placement and layout. The growing environment inside was stable and manageable. The structure handled seasonal loads without issue. And when we had questions post-installation, we got real answers from real people who knew the product.
For nursery operations, a high tunnel is about more than just protection from the elements. It’s about extending your productive window, improving crop consistency, and reducing the variables that eat into your margins. Done right, it pays for itself. Done wrong, it becomes a headache that follows you for years.
What I’d Tell Other Growers
If you’re in the market for a high tunnel, spend less time obsessing over the sticker price and more time asking the hard questions. How long will this structure last? What happens when I need a replacement part in year seven? Who’s actually going to answer the phone?
The best greenhouse manufacturers operate like partners, not just vendors. They want to see your operation succeed because your success is tied to their reputation. That’s the kind of relationship worth investing in.
Harnois has been manufacturing professional greenhouse structures in Quebec for three generations. Their Ovaltech freestanding high tunnel is engineered for North American growing conditions, built with high-grade galvanized steel, and backed by a team that stays with you well after installation day. If you are a commercial grower serious about your next structure, they are worth a direct conversation.
Andrew Plantinga is the Facilities Director at Van Belle Nursery.
