Want to practice greenhouse farming? Here is how

Greenhouse farming entails growing horticulture namely flowers, fruits and vegetables in a framed or inflated structure covered with a transparent or translucent material under controlled climatic conditions at a partially controlled environment.  A net like material is used on the side for air ventilation.

Initially, greenhouses were mostly used, and gained popularity in Kenya, from their heavy large scale use in growing flowers in Naivasha.

 Kenya is the lead exporter of roses to the European Union (EU) with a market share of about 38 per cent from the floriculture being practised in the green houses.

Due to the unpredictable weather changes and adverse weather conditions which are usually unfavorable to most crops, farmers have been forced venture into greenhouse farming.

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Research has shown the most profitable crops to grow in a greenhouse are:

        ·       Flowers

        ·       Tomatoes

        ·       Kales and spinach

        ·       Cucumbers

        ·       Mushrooms

        ·       Herbs

        ·       Lettuce

        ·       Pepper

        ·      Strawberries.

Growing crops in a greenhouse ensures high yields as one can do drip irrigation and the presence of a shade ensures minimum evaporation and there is no excess heat.

This helps save on water as one can cut on water usage. Plants are protected from the scorching sun, wind, pests and floods unlike crops on the fields hence give better yields.

Plants in green houses have the best growing conditions thus production is usually higher. One main advantage of growing crops in a green house is that there are longer seasons.

 Farmers can grow crops at any time of the year regardless of the climatic conditions of an area. This is because despite the cold climate or the dry sunny seasons outside, they are not experienced in the greenhouse where the temperatures inside don’t vary.

To make the most profit a farmer should research on crops not usually available during certain times of the year as you can produce fresh vegetables out of season.

 With the right seed selection, right fertilisers and agro chemicals a farmer will be guaranteed of a bountiful harvest in a greenhouse.

Tomatoes do very well in the green houses which reduce their production cost. Tomatoes grown in green houses are free from pests and diseases.

 Farming in a greenhouse saves on labour as one person can work on many unlike in the field. A farmer can also do mulching in greenhouses to prevent tomatoes touching the ground and rotting and enjoy water retention, soil being cool among other benefits of mulching.

A farmer starts first by preparing the seed bed adding rotten manure at planting time. Then mixes them and waits for about two weeks for the soil to have mixed well with manure and with water so that when you start planting a crop like tomatoes the soil is fertile with enough nutrients.

 After two weeks you make holes and add fertiliser and mix well to not burn the crops.

The land is then raised between beds which tomatoes prefer leaving walkways ensuring the crop has adequate space to grow. The tomatoes will then have space to produce as much as they can.

After transplanting your tomatoes, you ensure the green house is fully covered to maintain temperatures while keeping pests away.

You can water your plants twice a day using drip irrigation that avoids the splashing.

Tomatoes are one of the easiest crops to grow because once a plant begins to sprout you apply the fertilisers and pesticides.

You can also add crop support in the greenhouse to support and hold creeping/climbing crops like tomatoes for proper growth and increase production.

Setting up a greenhouse might be expensive buying all the materials required to set it up but the benefits realised make it worth it as an investment. For a small scale farmer, it is advisable to start small to save on capital.

Challenges faced in green house farming are some adamant pests but they are manageable. Advice to farmers willing to start greenhouse farming is for them to use professionals to set up the green house structures for it to be good, long lasting and able withstand harsh weather conditions.