Greenhouse Farming on a 50 by 100 Plot in Kenya

Greenhouse farming on a 50 by 100 plot in Kenya is very possible. Many farmers across the country are running productive greenhouse operations on plots of land with a similar size.

The key is knowing what fits and how to plan the space appropriately. A 50 by 100 plot is small, but with the right greenhouse size and layout, it can support major farming operations.

Aqua Hub Kenya supplies and installs greenhouses for 50 by 100 plots countrywide. Call us on telephone via 0790719020 or email info@aquahubkenya.co.ke to get a quote for your plot.

Which Greenhouses can Fit on a 50 by 100 Plot?

The most practical greenhouse sizes for a 50 by 100 plot are the 8m x 15m and 8m x 20m.

8m x 15m Greenhouse Farming

This is the most common greenhouse size for a 50 by 100 plot in Kenya. It has a floor area of 120 square metres and fits comfortably within the plot. Therefore, it leaves space on all sides for nurseries and water storage.

You can fit a maximum of 2 to 3 of the 8m x 15m greenhouses on a standard 50 by 100 feet plot. This depends on the orientation of the greenhouses such as:

• In order to fit 2, 8m x 15m greenhouses on your 50 by 100 plot, you should place the 8m width along the 50 foot side and the 15m length along the 100 foot side.
• In order to fit 3, 8m x 15m greenhouses, you need to switch the orientation. Therefore, the 8m width is along the 100 foot side and the 15m length is along the 100 foot side.

8m x 20m Greenhouse Farming

An 8m x 20m greenhouse gives you 160 square metres of growing space. It fits on a 50 by 100 plot but leaves less room around the structure. Consequently, the paths become tighter and the space for the nursery is smaller or non-existent. Additionally, room for water storage systems requires more careful planning.

On a 50 by 100 plot, you can fit exactly one greenhouse.

What about larger sizes for greenhouse farming?

Going larger than 8m x 20m is not recommended. A greenhouse longer than 20 metres leaves very little room for water storage and paths. Additionally, you end up with a greenhouse that is harder to manage because the surrounding space is too tight.

If you would like professional guidance on the size of the greenhouse you should use on your plot, call +254790719020. Additionally, you can also get professional greenhouse construction that optimizes the space you have.

How many Greenhouses Fit on a 50 by 100 Plot?

You can fit 1 to 3 greenhouses on a 50 by 100 plot. However, a maximum of 2 is recommended, despite the size of the greenhouse. While having multiple, smaller greenhouses might work on paper, it has a few challenges in practice including:

• Ventilation issues: greenhouses need airflow on all sides. Two structures can be laid out to have space in between them. In contrast, more than two structures would have to be placed too close together. Consequently, this placement raises internal temperatures thus increasing the likelihood of crop death due to overheating. Additionally, overly warm conditions create the perfect environment for disease causing bacteria and viruses that could attack the crops.
• Infrastructure costs increase: each greenhouse will need its own infrastructure such as irrigation and pest management systems. Moreover, more installation work goes into building two greenhouses. Thus the cost goes up significantly for the same or less space.
• Paths disappear: There is simply not enough room for more structures on this plot size to move equipment around or spray comfortably.

Two, well-planned greenhouses (or one in the case of a 8m x 20m greenhouse) will always outperform multiple cramped ones.

How to Plan the Space For Greenhouse Farming on a 50 by 100 Plot

The area outside the greenhouse is just as important as what is inside it. A good layout on a 50 by 100 plot includes four zones.

Zone 1: The Greenhouse

Position the 8m x 15m greenhouse with its length running east to west. This gives the long sides a north and south orientation, which provides more even light distribution throughout the day. Set the greenhouse entrance facing the fronten of the plot where access is easiest.

Zone 2: The Nursery

Every greenhouse operation needs a separate nursery area for raising seedlings. A small 3m x 4m shade net structure in one front corner of the plot is enough. Keep it separate from the greenhouse so seedling work does not interfere with daily crop management.

Seedlings are raised in seed trays filled with coco peat under a 50% or 75% shade net. We supply seed trays in sizes from 50-cell to 288-cell and coco peat for nursery use at Aqua Hub Kenya.

Zone 3: Water Tank and Pump

A 2,000 to 5,000 litre plastic tank on a raised stand at the back of the plot provides the gravity pressure needed to feed the greenhouse’s irrigation system. Additionally, you can position it uphill from the greenhouse if the plot has any slope.

A 5,000 litre tank at 1.5 meters of elevation is enough pressure for drip irrigation across a greenhouse. In cases of longer runs or lower elevation, a small booster pump at the tank outlet compensates for the pressure shortfall.

Zone 4: Paths and Buffer

Keep at least 1 meter of clear path running along each side of the greenhouse and a 1.5 to 2 meter clear zone at the front. These paths need to be wide enough to move a wheel-barrow or carry a full crate comfortably. Narrow paths become a problem on every working day.

What Crops Grow Well in a Greenhouse Farming on a 50 by 100 Plot?

The most common greenhouse crops in Kenya for a plot this size are tomatoes and capsicum. Both are high-value crops that respond well to the controlled environment a greenhouse provides.

Tomatoes

An 8m x 15m greenhouse can hold approximately 240 tomato plants. At an average yield of 5 to 8kg per plant over a season, that gives you between 1,200 and 1,920kg of tomatoes per cycle. Greenhouse tomatoes in Kenya typically yield significantly more per plant than open-field production because of reduced disease pressure and more consistent growing conditions.

Capsicum

Capsicum fetches some of the best prices of any greenhouse vegetable in Kenya. It takes longer to establish than tomatoes but produces fruit continuously for 8 to 12 months in a well-managed greenhouse. An 8m x 15m greenhouse holding 240 capsi-cum plants can be a significant source of income for a farmer supplying supermarkets or export markets.

Other Crops

In addition to tomatoes and capsicum, cucumbers, french beans, baby marrow, and herbs are also grown in greenhouses on small plots in Kenya. The right crop for your greenhouse depends on your market access. If you have a relia-ble buyer for a specific crop, grow for that market. If you are selling to a general mar-ket, tomatoes and capsicum are the safest starting point.

Irrigation for Greenhouse Farming on a 50 by 100 Plot

Drip irrigation is one of the best systems for greenhouse farming on a 50 by 100 plot. It delivers water directly to the root zone of each plant, keeps foliage dry. Consequently, this reduces diseases and allows the farmer to use significantly less water than any overhead method.

For an 8m x 15m greenhouse, a basic drip kit covers the full planting area. The mainline enters from the end of the greenhouse closest to the water tank. Lateral drip lines run the full length of the greenhouse along each plant row with emitters positioned at each plant.

Many farmers on small plots in Kenya now connect drip irrigation to a solar pump, re-moving the daily cost of running a petrol or diesel engine for irrigation. A 0.5HP solar pump with two panels is enough to fill a 2,000 litre overhead tank during the day and keep the drip system supplied. We supply solar irrigation systems for greenhouse set-ups at Aqua Hub Kenya.

Cost of Greenhouse Farming on a 50 by 100 Plot

The cost of a greenhouse farming on a 50 by 100 plot varies based on whether the structure is metallic or wooden. Moreover, the size of the greenhouse also impacts the final price you pay for the installation.

To get a quote on your greenhouse supplies and installation from Aqua Hub Kenya, contact +254790719020 or email info@aquahubkenya.co.ke.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best greenhouse size for a 50 by 100 plot?

The best greenhouse for a 50 by 100 plot is a 8 by 15 metre greenhouse. This is because it leaves enough room for a water tank, pathway, and future expansion.

Can I fit more than one greenhouse on a 50 by 100 plot?

Yes, in some cases you can fit more than one greenhouse on a 50 by 100 plot. However, it depends on your greenhouse size and planning. A careful greenhouse layout plan is needed before committing to more than one unit.

How much water do I need for greenhouse farming on a 50 by 100 plot?

You need about 5,000 to 10,000 litres for greenhouse farming on a 50 by 100 plot. But, this depends on the crop and season.

Is metallic or wooden better for a small plot?

Metallic frames cost more upfront but last far longer, which often makes them the better long-term choice for a plot you intend to farm for years.

What crops perform best in greenhouse farming on a 50 by 100 plot?

There are various crops that perform best in greenhouses such as:

• Tomatoes
• Capsicum
• Cucumbers
• French beans

Do I need council approval to build a greenhouse on a residential plot?

Requirements vary by county, so it is worth checking with your local authority before construction, particularly in urban areas.

Final Thoughts on Greenhouse Farming on a 50 by 100 Plot

A 50 by 100 plot is enough land to run a productive greenhouse farming operation in Kenya. It is not a large plot, but it is workable when the space is planned well and the right greenhouse size is chosen.

The 8m x 15m greenhouse is the right fit for most 50 by 100 plots. It leaves enough space for a nursery, water tank, and working paths while giving you meaningful growing capacity of around 240 plants per cycle. With drip irrigation and consistent crop man-agement, that greenhouse can generate a reliable income.

There are various mistakes to avoid such as:

• Do not try to fit two greenhouses on the plot.
• Do not skip the nursery structure.
• Do not undersize the water storage.
• Do not build before planning where everything goes.