Greenhouse Sizes In Kenya
Greenhouse sizes in Kenya range from smal units of 120M sq, to large commercial structures spanning dozens of acreage. The most common greenhouse size in Kenya are tabulated belowGreenhouse Sizes In Kenya
A. Small
| Dimensions in meters | Tomato Crop Population | Price in KES |
| 15 x 8 | 600 | KES 195,000 |
| 24 x 8 | 800 | KES 275,000 |
| 30 x 8 | 1,200 | KES 365,000 |
| 40 x 8 | 1,500 | KES 530,000 |
| 48 x 8 | 1,600 | KES 600,000 |
2,880M sq of greenhouses contructed for a medium scale farmer in Heni area, nyandarua county. The target crop is herbs and spices
B. Medium
| Dimensions in meters | Tomato Crop Population | Price in KES |
| 24 x 16 | 1,500 – 1,600 | KES 540,000 |
| 30 x 16 | 2,400 | KES 660,000 |
| 40 x 16 | 3,000 | KES 990,000 |
C. Large From 800M square. Kes 900 per meter square. We customise our price according to size, and your greenhouse budget
What determines greenhouse sizes in Kenya?
- Land area. The size of the greenhouse will be limited to the amount of land available to develop
- Water availability. The larger the greenhouse, the greater the water use
- Use. A seedlings propagation greenhouse unit in a fram will be smaller than the commercial units where these seedlings establish as crops in the same farm
- Budget. Greenhouse construction is a capital undertaking. The size of the greenhouse unit will be determined by the capital available
Greenhouse Sizes in Kenya
Construction materialsI. UV treated greenhouse polythene with anti drip properties
This is the key material that protects the crop from the elements of weather; sun, wind and rain. It creates the ‘greenhouse effect’, and minimises disease and pest incidences on the crop. It is either clear or yellow in color. Clear greenhouse polythene for fruiting crops, or in ornamentals, bi or multi colors. This is because it allows in more light which these need for photosynthesis, the process that makes food for the plants. Yellow is for vegetative crops, and mono color ornamentals. In mono color ornamentals, it intensifies the colorII. Galvanised steel bars
They provide structural support to the greenhouse, and also to the crop as ‘crop support structures’ for tall indeterminate crops such as; tomato, peppers, and cucumbersIII. UV treated high density insect nets
These nets keep away insect pests. They are for self pollinating (do not require external pollinators such as insects and birds) greenhouse cropsIV. Bird nets
These are only used in greenhouse crops that require insect pollination from bees, butterflies, hornets and many other pollinating insects. They allow in the insects, but keep away bird pests. An example of such a crop is strawberryV. Profiles
They are screwed onto the galvanised steel bars so that the greenhouse cover is tucked in themVI. Wiggle wires
Once the greenhouse cover is tucked in the profile, wiggle wires keep it in place so that it is not removed by wind or other physical force. Wiggle wires have a plastic covering to prevent damage to the greenhouse paper the are in direct contact with
Wiggle wires hold in place a clear greenhouse polythene sheet tucked in a profile
VII. Screws
The join the profiles to the galvanised steel structureVIII. Concrete
This is what supports the galvanised steel structures on the ground and keeps them upright
Humidification through misters in a seedlings propagation greenhouse
Greenhouse Sizes In Kenya
FAQs1.What is greenhouse farming?
2. What is the most profitable crop to grow in a greenhouse?
A 30M x 8M tunnel type greenhouse by Grekkon Limited in Rimuruti area, Laikipia county. Notice the front sanitary pouch, and side roll up
3. How profitable is greenhouse farming in Kenya?
Greenhouse farming consists of self-pollinating crops such as greenhouse indeterminate tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers, and also insect-pollinated crops like strawberries. These are high-value crops that require intense attention and protection from pestilences such as; hail, drought, pest, disease, storms, and cold. They are moderately profitable. We design none food metallic greenhouses for flowers such as; roses, carnations, and chrysanthemums, and herbs such as geraniums, mint, basil, rosemary, and lemongrass. These crops are highly profitable and are grown by successful greenhouse farmers in Kenya.
4. How do you build a greenhouse?
Greenhouse farming in cool highland zones will have a tunnel-type greenhouse constructed because it conserves heat, while those in the warm lowlands will have a vented type greenhouse that allows better cooling. The difference between the two greenhouse types is that the vented type has a roof top ventilation. This is created by overlapping one side of the roof above the other (see the wooden greenhouse image below) Our sizes range are small, medium and large
The interior of the tunnel type greenhouse
6.How thick does the plastic need to be for a greenhouse?
It will be 200 to 220 microns. Our greenhouse polythene price in Kenya is Kes 96/MSQ7. What is the best covering for a greenhouse?
8. Are greenhouse tomatoes better than outdoor tomatoes?
Greenhouse tomatoes have less pesticide applied to them because the crop is protected. Greenhouse tomato farming prevents high pests and diseases outbreak. These tomatoes have a lower shelf life than open field tomatoes because their rind is softer than open field tomato. Complete exposure to the sun is what gives open field tomato tougher rind, assuming the same level of nutrition for both. To increase the shelf life of greenhouse tomato, calcium and boron feeding is necessary
9. How well can a small-scale farmer run a greenhouse?
Grekkon Limited has developed manuals to assist small-scale farmers to achieve high yields in their greenhouses. We also conduct crop assessment visits during the first 4 months of production, free of charge. The reason we make it 4 months is because by this time, the crop has been harvetsed severally and the farmer knows all the basics of production
A low cost vented type wooden greenhouse in Kenya by Grekkon LimitedGreenhouse Sizes In Kenya
How profitable is greenhouse farming in Kenya?
How to get high yields in your greenhouse farming
1. Soil test
Conduct a soil test to determine the right fertiliser regime. A soil test will be done in a soil testing laboratory after soil samples are collected from the site.
2. Nutrition
Before making your beds, trench to 2 feet and add manure mixed with soil and ash then do your bed over this trench. This will feed your indeterminate crop for many months, providing consistent productivity
3. Water usage
Drip irrigation is the method of watering your greenhouses. Tomato farming, strawberry farming, pepper farming, herbs farming, cucumber farming, and for every crop in the greenhouse.
4. Crops to grow
Indeterminate vegetable crops like; tomato, cucumber, strawberries herbs, and peppers. This is because the yield over a prolonged period of time, which is key in returning the greenhouse investment
5. Pests and diseases
Greenhouses reduce the incidence of pests and diseases because the crop is under a protective greenhouse cover
Ripe greenhouse tomato fruit
Ripe open field tomato fruits
Greenhouse Sizes In Kenya
Summary
For your greenhouse investment in Kenya, we provide a kit for an additional cost that consists of;- Seedling trays
- Coco peat
- Fertiliser (planting and topdressing)
- Pesticides; insecticides (long and short PHI), and fungicides (preventive and curative)
- Personal protective equipment
- goggles
- gas mask
- overalls
- gloves
- gumboots)
- A 20-liter knapsack sprayer
Spraying agrochemicals on a young open field tomato crop donning the full PPE kit
Greenhouse Paper In Kenya
Grekkon Limited’s greenhouse paper in Kenya is of various rent characteristics. These characteristics determine it’s overall performance on the crop. The paper choice is the same irrespective of the greenhouse type by shape, or by structural material. Our greenhouse paper price in Kenya is Kes 96/M sq irrespective of the polythene properties.
Greenhouse Paper In Kenya; Properties
- Thickness. 200 microns/ 0.2mm
- Colour . Clear or yellow
– clear paper allows more light. This is good for fruiting crops such as tomato, strawberry, capsicums, and peppers. This is because more light has higher photosynthesis, which equates to more food for the plant. It is necessary for bi-color or multi -color flowers to enhance the different colors
– yellow paper will be for leafy vegetables, herbs, spices, and mono color flowers. These require less food as they are not fruiting
3. Width 5.5M, 8M, 16M. This not split but supplied as such to the grower
4. Roll length of 100M. The roll is cut as per client’s ordered length
5. UV treated. UV treatment blocks off excess UV light which in turn enhances the greenhouse paper lifespan. Our UV treatment is for 3 years/ 36 months. This warranty is on the paper
6. Anti-drip properties. Anti drip treatment prevents dew drop lets from forming on the greenhouse paper. Dew formation is as a result or crop respiration which releases moisture from the plant. Dew droplets falling or crops in the greenhouse pr-dispose the crop to fungal infections. The droplets also refract light, limiting the amount of light falling on the crop
How to choose your greenhouse polythene
- By crop. Is it a leafy or fruiting vegetable? Is is s mono or bi/ multi-coloured flower? This determines the paper color
- By width. There are different widths to choose from based on your greenhouse structure size
When the greenhouse paper tears, we provide a greenhouse repair tape that has the same characteristics as the greenhouse paper
FAQs
I. How much is greenhouse polythene in Kenya?
Greenhouse polythene price in Kenya
| Price | Treatment |
| Kes 95/M sq | With anti -UV only |
| Kes 120/M sq | With additional anti-drip treatment |
II. What plastic can be used for greenhouse?
Yellow or clear plastic are the choices for a greenhouse cover
III. What is the best poly for a greenhouse?
As explained above, the right greenhouse plastic depends on the crop type
IV. How do you attach polythene to a greenhouse?
For a metallic greenhouse, steel profiles and wiggle wires secure the paper against the steel frame
V. How long does polythene last on a greenhouse?
Our anti-UV block treatment is guaranteed for 36 months use. However, the paper itself will last for 5 years
VI. How thick should greenhouse poly be?
200 to 220 micron
VII. How often do you replace greenhouse plastic?
We recommend every 3 years so which is when the anti-UV block ceases
How to Keep Your Greenhouse Polythene Tight
- Spread out the paper on the greenhouse structure early in the morning or late in the evening when he temperature is below 20 degrees celcius. If it’s too hot, the paper will tear on contraction when it gets cold. If it’s too cold, the paper will sag when the temperature rises
- Roll it or pull it from one end to the next frame or runner and secure it with a profile and wiggle wire. Then stretch it again for this point to the next and so on
- Avoid covering in the afternoon when it is very windy as this will cause the paper to tear
How To Maintain Your Greenhouse Sheet
Observing these habits will keep your greenhouse polythene price in Kenya at the barest minimum
- Have a greenhouse tape for minor repairs when the paper is torn. Grekkon Limited’s greenhouse tape is UV resistant, trans-parent and is designed for outdoor use
- Clean your greenhouse cover monthly to prevent algae, moss, and dust which inhibit light from shining through
- Change it at the right time, which is when the anti-UV treatment expires
Caution: Do not use your greenhouse polythene in awater pan or tank to store or harvest irrigation water
Greenhouse repair tape. It has the same qualities as the greenhouse paper
Greenhouse polyethylene price in Nairobi
This is Kes 96/ M sq in Nairobi and all our up country branches