Fact vs. Fiction: How to Choose a Vertical farm provider

Over the last few weeks we’ve been exploring the options faced by prospective growers. Ultimately, comparing systems means crunching the numbers and understanding your market, your community, and the “why” behind your project.

Here are a few takeaways from each week.

Week 1: Turnkey vs. DIY container farms

With modular farming your project can be up and running in as little as four months. But the timeline (and associated costs) depends on your existing knowledge, and whether you are designing the farm on your own, or partnering with a vendor who offers a turnkey option.

Do-it-yourself options usually require more knowledge, more time, and have the potential to be less expensive (or the inverse, much more expensive). Every aspect of a do-it-yourself option can be customized but there is also more risk involved, especially when it comes to the electrical or carbon dioxide elements.

Turnkey modular farms bring more quality assurance to the table. Often created as a “plug and play” option, these are backed by the provider’s research and development, as well as support teams. While sometimes more expensive than their DIY counterparts, turn-key providers (that’s us!) are a better choice for first-time farmers, or those who will need to hire less skilled labour to run day-to-day operations.

Grab the entire vertical farm comparison series as a PDF here.

Week 2: Yields

This week was all about getting a grasp of the differences between plant and harvest sizes. Effectively, you’ll need to answer the question: how much can I grow? Yield refers to the full amount of product produced. Your first thought might be the more, the better, but quantity isn’t everything. Higher plant densities impact your disease potential and harvest quality. Take a step back and think about who you’re growing for.

In this stage, you’ll want to ask:

• Are the number of heads of lettuce produced based on the number of retail-sized heads?

• What is the average weight per head of produce?

• Clarify growing slots: how many seedling and mature slots are there?

• Are the plants grown horizontally or vertically? In general, vertical farming yields smaller plants.

Week 3: Horizontal vs. Vertical stacking

We’ve all been hearing a lot in the news about “vertical farming” lately. It is often used as a blanket term for all controlled environment (indoor) agriculture, and is a bit of a misnomer.

Both horizontal and vertical systems exist, and carry select advantages and disadvantages depending on your priorities.

In summary, in a horizontal system plants grow like they do in nature and in a vertical system, there is more potential for smaller plants if light and nutrient distribution are not distributed evenly through the vertical structure.

However, the stacking orientation does not make a big difference, because the type of hydroponic growing system matters more (whether it’s nutrient film technique or deep water culture or ebb and flow).

Week 4: DWC vs. NFT

In modular or container farming there are different methods for growing, and the differences can have an impact on your overall yield, and sometimes, your risk of crop failure.

The biggest differences have to do with a system’s ability to feed the plants the nutrients and hydration that they need to grow.

NFT (Nutrient Film Technique)

• Plants are in enclosed troughs with a shallow nutrient solution flowing in at a slight angle

• System needs to always be on (requires that there be no down time in the system)

• Multiple, smaller parts make cleaning time consuming

• NFT is good for experienced growers who know what they’re doing and want to fine tune their systems to work for them, but it’s harder to learn with more room for error.

DWC (Deep Water Culture)

• Plants are in a “pond” filled with nutrient solution

• Floating rafts holding the plants

• System can tolerate down time

• Cleaning is easier but you have to do it more often

• You’ll have to worry about your waste water management more because there’s more water in this setup

• DWC is the most forgiving system for new growers and considered the most accessible technology when compared to NFT and ebb and flow systems.

• You will need to decide which method to rely on, long-term.

Learn more about the Osiris Farm.

Or grab the entire vertical farm comparison series as a PDF at the bottom of this page.

So What’s Next?

The first step in planning your farm is research. Understanding the options available to you is as important as the growing process itself. Choose a solution based on your needs, and ask yourself:

• How much time do I want to commit?

• What are my goals?

• What resources do I currently have and what do I need?

• What am I willing to pay and what are the trade-offs I can tolerate if I choose a bare-bones approach?

• What kind of return on investment do I want?

• How much support do I need, and can my provider offer it?

We’re here to help you reach your goals, and are available to help you explore your options. Call us anytime or book a call at your convenience.

Vertical Farming Comparison Guide

This guide compares and contrasts key aspects of vertical farms, helping you make decisions about your own business, understand more as a student or educator, and ultimately dispel any myths and legends.

Download the guide to better understand:

• DIY vs. Turn-Key Solutions

• All About Yields

• Horizontal vs. Vertical Stacking

• DWC vs. NFT Hydroponic Setups

• Choosing Your Provider