Types of Greenhouses in Kenya: Which Design Works Best for You

Greenhouse farming provides farmers with an effective way to protect their crops from unpredictable weather that characterizes many parts of Kenya today. It also allows them to make better use of limited land and increase their yields. However, not all greenhouse types are suitable for every scenario.

Understanding the various types of greenhouses in Kenya can help you make informed decisions about investing in this technology. This knowledge is critical because the wrong greenhouse type or greenhouse design can lead to overheating, increased operational costs, suboptimal plant growth, and even structural failure.

In this article, we walk you through the various types of greenhouses in Kenya to help you identify what might work best for you.

What Is a Greenhouse?

A greenhouse is a specialized, protected structure designed to control temperature, humidity, light, and other environmental factors to optimize plant growth.

Greenhouses typically have transparent walls and roofs that allow sunlight through to the inside of the structure, where plants usually need it. Meanwhile, the structure controls the amount of heat reaching the plants, creating an ideal microclimate for growing high-quality crops.

This way, greenhouses tend to enhance productivity, providing economic stability for farmers by mitigating the challenges associated with unpredictable climatic conditions.

Types of Greenhouses in Kenya

The classification of types of greenhouses in Kenya depends primarily on structural design, permanence, and the covering material, rather than the latter alone.

That said, here is a look at the various greenhouse types on the market for you if you are considering taking the leap.

Polytunnel greenhouses

This is generally the most popular greenhouse type in the country. A poly tunnel greenhouse consists of a curved or arched frame made from steel or plastic pipes and a UV-treated polyethylene cover.

Poly tunnels are widely used in Kenya because they are affordable and quick to install. They are also widely available from local suppliers like Irrihub.

This greenhouse type is an ideal option for growing vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, capsicum, and leafy greens.

Polytunnels are especially suitable if you are a small or medium-scale farmer seeking to start greenhouse farming with manageable capital.

However, if not properly anchored, poly tunnels are more vulnerable to wind damage than the more robust greenhouse options we will explore below. They can also create heat buildup that stresses crops in hot lowland areas if the ventilation is poor. You must also replace the plastic cover every few years, often two to four years.

Polycarbonate greenhouses

These are durable and semi-permanent and offer better insulation and stability than polytunnels. They use rigid polycarbonate panels mounted on strong steel or aluminum frames.

Polycarbonate greenhouses perform well in cooler highland areas and windy conditions because they generally retain heat more efficiently and are more resistant to structural damage. While they may be more expensive upfront than polytunnels, their longer lifespan makes them more cost-effective in the long run.

Polycarbonate greenhouses are less common in Kenya due to their higher upfront costs. They are also less readily available locally and may require more technical expertise to install compared to their simpler cousins.

Glass greenhouses

These are high-end greenhouses usually set aside for institutional use. A glass greenhouse is generally the most advanced of all and is usually capital-intensive to design. As such, they are usually found in research institutions, seed companies, and large export-oriented farms.

Glass greenhouses boast precise climate control, excellent light transmission, and long structural life.

On the downside, glass greenhouses may be unsuitable for many small or medium-scale farmers in Kenya due to their prohibitive costs, high and often demanding maintenance requirements, and the risk of breakage.

Wooden greenhouses

These are typically built using locally available timber combined with plastic covering. Since wood is readily available in the country, wooden greenhouses are common in many parts of Kenya, especially rural and peri-urban settings.

However, wood is vulnerable to moisture and insect damage when untreated, so the wooden frame may not last as long as its metal alternatives. Since wood is generally prone to rot, it is not ideal for use in humid areas despite the low upfront cost.

How Do You Choose the Best Greenhouse for Your Situation?

As we already noted, no single greenhouse design is perfect for all farmers and use cases. The right greenhouse design depends on your specific conditions. Let’s break that down:

1. Climate

If you live in a hot lowland area, your greenhouse must have excellent ventilation, while a cool highland setting will benefit from better insulation.

2. Scale

For a backyard grower, a simple structure may be all you need for a greenhouse. However, if you are a commercial farmer, your situation requires a durable, scalable greenhouse system.

3. Experience

If you are a beginner, you will be more likely to succeed with a simpler greenhouse design than a complex one. Experienced growers, on the other hand, can handle a more complex greenhouse with relative ease.

Original Reliable Greenhouses in Nairobi, Kenya at Irrihub Ke, +254 112 148 880

If you are looking to install a reliable greenhouse in Kenya, Irrihub has nice offers you may consider. We offer a range of greenhouses, including large, medium, mini, and portable greenhouses, to suit every need. Our other complete solutions include:

Green House – Large

KES 400,000

• Galvanized metal structure 8m by 30m
• 200microns polythene, 1.5 gauge
• Clear or yellow, capacity 1400+ crops
• Polythene Zig-Zag wires
• Entry Porch
• Rollup side ventilation, white insect net
• Complete drip irrigation system
• High quality 500L water tank
• Installation, training & crop support
• Warranty period of 2 years

Read More 

Green House – Medium

KES 720,000

• Galvanized metal structure 16m by 30m
• 200microns polythene, 1.5 gauge
• Clear or yellow, capacity 3000+ crops
• Polythene Zig-Zag wires
• Entry Porch
• Rollup side ventilation, white insect net
• Complete drip irrigation system
• High quality 1000L water tank
• Installation, training & crop support
• Warranty period of 2 years
  Read More

Green House – Medium

KES 360,000

• Galvanized metal structure 8m by 24m
• 200microns polythene, 1.5 gauge
• Clear or yellow, capacity 1120+ crops
• Polythene Zig-Zag wires
• Entry Porch
• Rollup side ventilation, white insect net
• Complete drip irrigation system
• High quality 500L water tank
• Installation, training & crop support
• Warranty period of 2 years

Read More

 

Green House – Mini

KES 300,000

• Galvanized metal structure 8m by 15m
• 200microns polythene, 1.5 gauge
• Clear or yellow, capacity 700+ crops
• Polythene Zig-Zag wires
• Entry Porch
• Rollup side ventilation, white insect net
• Complete drip irrigation system
• High quality 300L water tank
• Installation, training & crop support
• Warranty period of 2 years

Final Thoughts

Successful greenhouse farming requires matching the right greenhouse design to your climate, plot or land size, and crop production goals. Poly tunnels, polycarbonate greenhouses, glass greenhouses, and wooden-frame greenhouses all serve different needs.

We hope that this article helps you understand the different types of greenhouses in Kenya, allowing you to make informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes.

Meanwhile, the experts at Irrihub are always on hand to answer any questions you may have. Reach out any time.