To enjoy delicious, aromatic tomatoes grown on your site all year round, you need to assemble a modern polycarbonate greenhouse. Let’s figure out which type of greenhouse to choose and how they differ.
Arched greenhouse
The construction consists of arcs fixed on the base, covered with polycarbonate. It can be of any length, but its height does not exceed 2 meters. Otherwise, a technological change in the frame will be required.
Unlike other types, an arched greenhouse is easier and faster to build. Disadvantages of arched greenhouse shapes:
- in case of heavy snowfall, you will have to clean off the snow that accumulates on top. Large amounts of snow can create cracks in the roof and shorten the life of the structure. To strengthen the structure in winter, props are installed;
- the shape hides the height, especially at the walls, this sometimes makes planting and caring for plants quite inconvenient;
- not suitable for vertical placement of beds on the walls.
The low height of the arched greenhouses does not allow growing indeterminate tomato varieties, for which vertical space is important. But low- and medium-sized types of vegetable crops grows well in it.
You can plant several different types of plants in an arched greenhouse: tomatoes, eggplants, peppers. But do not forget the rules of the neighborhood, so as not to lose the harvest. It is undesirable to plant tomatoes and eggplants together, because the conditions for their cultivation are different: some like high temperatures, bright light and abundant watering, while others categorically cannot stand it.
Diseases that are the same in both cultures add to the difficulties. This leads to the immediate death of healthy bushes.
Bell pepper is considered a suitable “neighbor” for tomatoes. These crops do not compete for nutrients and are able to protect each other from pests by releasing phytoncides. Experienced agronomists plant three crops in the greenhouse at once, observing the following sequence:
- tomatoes;
- peppers;
- eggplant.
ClimaOrb Arched Greenhouse Kit for tomatoes
As you can see, our arched greenhouses do not have such disadvantages. They have a high vertical wall and allow you to grow tall plants, as well as place additional shelves – ClimaPod Shelving.
ClimaOrb Arched XL 9×28, 9×35 & 9×42 Greenhouse Series With 6-mm Polycarbonate
Gable Classic Greenhouse Shape
The gable greenhouse looks like a typical house. It has straight walls and a triangular roof. The design is convenient in that it can be high and wide. It is ideal for indeterminate tomato and cucumber varieties.
If we compare the arched and gable types, then with equal length and width, the latter will have a larger volume. Due to this, the air warms up and cools down more evenly. The pluses of the “house” include the ability to make vents in the roof. Those who have already purchased a gable greenhouse note such disadvantages:
- internal intermediate racks in the structure complicate maintenance;
- due to the small angle of inclination, the roof has to be cleaned by hand;
- during construction, more polycarbonate is required than for arched;
- the load on the greenhouse is higher, so the thickness of the material must be at least 6 mm;
- stability requires a level, solid foundation.
Droplet greenhouse shape for tomatoes growing
The design is suitable for snowy and rainy regions, as precipitation flows down the roof faster without creating pressure.
Thanks to the lancet design in the greenhouse, you can simultaneously place tomatoes of both determinant varieties and indeterminate varieties. The rule also works for other plants with different heights.
In order for tomatoes to give a good harvest, you need to properly organize the garter and the formation of the bush. All fastening methods are suitable for the “droplet”:
- linear;
- tapestry;
- mesh;
- vertical.
Often the methods are combined, especially when growing varieties of different heights at the same time. Cotton ribbons, twines, rods and clothespins are used as garters.
After the garter, tomato bushes are formed by pinching the tops of the plant when they have grown and formed flowering shoots. This technique provides better air circulation, simplifies watering and accelerates fruit ripening. When choosing the shape of a polycarbonate greenhouse, first of all, pay attention to the varieties of tomatoes that you plan to grow. Then consider the climate, lot size, and budget.
Climapod Passion XL 9×28, 9×35 & 9×42 Greenhouse Series With 4-mm Polycarbonate
