Spring is almost here, and you’re probably bursting with ideas and desires for this new growing season that’s just around the corner. Whether you’re an amateur gardener or a professional looking for efficiency, choosing your greenhouse equipment is a crucial step that can transform your greenhouse-growing experience. In this article, we guide you through the process of selecting modules for your Myfood family greenhouse, focusing on our Family model, to help you make informed choices that are relevant to your specific needs.

Take a pen🖊️, we’ll design your greenhouse together!

The right questions to ask yourself:

Production or relaxation?

Choosing a production orientation maximizes the space dedicated to growing with many permaculture tanks (up to 7 in the greenhouse) in combination with the two aquaponics tanks. Pots for growing tubers are also added, giving priority to yield and diversity of production. This arrangement is ideal for those who dream of abundant and varied harvests, transforming every square centimeter into potential for growth. In the same spirit, the 3rd Basin Module with its 32 growing towers is also recommended if you want a real little family farm!

In a different spirit, the relaxation-oriented design invites you to a completely different kind of experience. Here, the space is not just for growing, but also for relaxing. The entrance to the greenhouse opens onto a welcoming space, enhanced by the Wooden Floor Module, which provides that warmth (and practicality for sweeping 🧹). The Finishing Module and its shelves also contribute to the aesthetics of the space, transforming it into a living space where design and nature coexist harmoniously.

What are your objectives in terms of autonomy and diversity?

If you simply want to supplement your diet, or concentrate your growing efforts on just a few varieties, the Family22 greenhouse aquaponics system comes with 16 growing towers, which is ideal for feeding a family of 2 or 3 people, ideally with the Perma Module, which equips the greenhouse with 5 self-irrigating growing trays for root vegetables and/or large vegetables (beef tomatoes, courgettes, etc.).

Now, if you’re really looking for food independence and a complete, diversified family basket, we recommend that you opt for some additional equipment:

• The Extension Module will extend your aquaponics growing capacity to 24 vertical towers. This really maximises yield per m². You can start with 16 towers and add the module later, step by step.
• The 3rd Pond Module for large families, with 36 growing towers.
• The Microgreens Module and the Spirulina Module are essential for adding vitamins to your plate.
• Finally, to boost your winter productivity or if you have a lack of light, the Lighting Module will solve the problem.

Marseilles or Megève: what climatic conditions?

Contrary to popular belief, the function of a greenhouse is not just to protect against the cold, but generally to protect against the vagaries of the weather (heat, too much sun, cold, wind, hail, snow, etc.). The greenhouse helps to smooth out temperature variations, extend growing time and increase yields.

However, adaptations will be necessary depending on your geographical location.

In summer and in hot climates, a professional shade cloth is strongly recommended, even if the greenhouse already includes hammered glass on the roof. Shade cloth limits the greenhouse effect, while still letting light through. For this, opt for the Comfort Module, also equipped with a double front/rear door and plates to shade the basins.

Now, recognising the need to adapt to climate change and hot weather, Myfood has recently developed its Summer Module, which includes an integrated automatic misting system, a south-facing side shade cover and removable mosquito screens. If you’re in a hot region, don’t do without this equipment!

On the other hand, in cold climates or at high altitudes (or simply to provide comfort when you’re growing in winter), the Winter Module is an integrated pellet stove to keep your crops safe in frosty weather and limit the humidity that interferes with light. This module is ideal as a complement to the Horticultural LED Lighting module if you’re aiming for food self-sufficiency in northern regions.

For those who want a compromise when it comes to winter management, the Insulation Module comes with polycarbonate panels to insulate the north face (better inertia) and heating elements to keep the water in the ponds at the right temperature. This is not only good for the fish, but also for the roots of the plants.

Towards energy autonomy?

The final aspect to consider is resources (energy and water). Aquaponics has the great advantage of being a very low-energy and low-water consumption method (less than 70W continuously – that’s a big light bulb! and 90% less water than gardening).

If, for some reason specific to your home, you want to make your greenhouse more self-sufficient from an electrical point of view, either because you don’t have access to electricity or because you have frequent power cuts, the Solar Module is designed for this. This innovation is unique at Myfood, as it integrates semi-transparent panels directly into its structure, with a circuit that does not require an inverter (24v safety current for the pump, bubbler, etc.) and a pair of batteries. Depending on exposure and region, you can potentially cover the requirement. But wherever possible we will always recommend connecting to the electricity grid anyway.

Finally, because water management is becoming a strategic issue, the Myfood greenhouse can be fitted with a pair of rainwater harvesters. The greenhouse’s aluminium gutter already incorporates the option of collecting water, and connecting the Water Collectors Module will provide storage for 2 x 300 litres, ideal for aquaponics. This equipment is especially recommended if your mains water is highly mineralised (high hardness).

A modular approach

The Myfood concept is based on an innovative and sustainable approach to urban and family farming. The greenhouses are designed to be not only productive and environmentally friendly, but also fully modular. This modularity means that you can customize them as you go along and spread out the investment according to your financial capacity. Bear in mind that all the modules can be added to after installation, except for the Finishing Module of course, because we’re not going to send you a can of paint for the lacquering 😜.

Finally for more information on the greenhouse modules and options, we invite you to study our 2024 Price Offer.