09
Jun
Intro
Vertical farming has been in practice for decades and by now we know the ins and outs of the process. If you’re looking to start your own vertical farm, here are some things you need to know before you do.
The first step is to decide which type of vertical farming you want to use. There are two types: aeroponics and aquaponics. Aeroponics grows plants with their roots suspended in the air, misted by a nutrient-rich water fog. Aquaponics grows plants with their roots submerged in nutrient rich water and they also receive doses of microalgae for nutrients.
Both methods have their pros and cons, so you’ll need to decide which one is right for your objectives. Aeroponics is great for smaller plants and can be more efficient with water usage, but it can be more difficult to set up and maintain. Aquaponics is better for larger plants and can be more forgiving if you make mistakes, but it uses slightly more water.
After deciding on the type of vertical farming you want to use the next step is to decide what kind of plants you want to grow. Not all plants will thrive in a vertical farm setting, so do your research ahead of time. Next, it’s time to start building! Building a vertical farm can be a daunting task, but if you’re organized and patient it can be a very rewarding experience. A huge benefit to vertical farms is that they don’t take up a lot of space compared to traditional farming however, you’ll need to consider the amount of space or acreage needed to meet your objectives.
You’ll also need to decide if you want to run your farm full-time or part-time. You might not be able to run the farm 24/7 so you’ll need to consider other options for what you do with your produce when your farm isn’t running. Once you’ve decided all of these things, it’s time to think about what equipment you’ll need to get started.
To start a vertical farm, you’ll need some basic equipment. Below is a list of some items that you’ll need to source to start your farm:
- LED lights,
- air humidifiers,
- air dryers,
- air conditioning,
- water purification systems,
- automation systems,
- computers,
- sensors,
- webcams.
Once you have the equipment, it’s time to start planting! To ensure that your plants are healthy, you’ll need to monitor the conditions in the farm. If you’re using aeroponics, you’ll want to make sure that humidity levels are at the right level. If you choose aquaponics, it’s important to make sure there aren’t any harmful bacteria or chemicals in your water source. Once everything is set up and running, it’s time to start growing!
Conclusion
Starting a vertical farm can be challenging, but with research, proper planning, and most importantly execution it can be a successful and socially rewarding endeavor. Assuming that you have your space/ land for the farm, the first step is deciding what type of vertical farm system you want to leverage: either aeroponics or aquaponics system. There are trade offs with both systems so you must consider your objectives when making a decision. Next, you need to make a decision on the plants that will work in the environment you are setting up. After that you need to research and procure the equipment that is necessary for your space. This may seem like a lot, but with passion, determination, and grit you will be setup in no time. If you’re looking to start a vertical farm system and would like to discuss how our consultation services and products can support your objectives follow us at ( insert social media handles)