Vertical farming is leading the way in the transition away from dependence on land-based systems of production. Thanks to advances in technology, people can now grow their crops indoors and at a much higher per-square-foot production level. What is even better is the fact that they can do this without being at the mercy of changes in weather and climate.
Currently, the equipment needed to run a vertical farm is more affordable. Information about what works when it comes to maximizing crop yields is also readily available. Both of these things have made this form of farming more accessible. However, while the chances of successfully starting and running a vertical farm are high, you need to keep a few things in mind as you start your journey.
Your Choice of Lighting Will Affect Your Yields
Since you will be growing the plants indoors, they will be wholly dependent on you for light. Therefore, for your plants to survive, you need to ensure that they get the right light and in the right amounts. Generally, too little light normally leads to lower yields. And when the light is too bright or too intense, it tends to burn crops.
Once you settle on the type of crop that you want to grow in your vertical farm, you need to find out the type of light that is perfect for your plants. There are a lot of light and growth recipes for plants online and following these guides will increase your odds of success. As far as your lighting options are concerned, you should go for high quality LED lights like the ones manufactured by led ibond. These lights are affordable, pose a lower risk of burning your crops and they are adjustable. While it may be tempting to go for cheaper vertical farm lighting options, LED farming lights offer the perfect balance between convenience, affordability and effectiveness. The fact that they produce less heat when compared to other lighting options also makes them easier and cheaper to work with.
Controlling Heat, Humidity, and Airflow Matters
No matter how efficient a lighting system is, it usually emits a certain amount of heat. Plants also tend to emit a certain amount of heat as a natural consequence of their biological processes. When these factors are combined with the effect that environmental temperatures have on an indoor farm, it is easy to see why installing climate-controlling devices is a must for an indoors vertical farm to succeed.
An easy way of keeping the heat in your farm under control is to simply create enough ventilation in the building. Doing so will increase airflow and this will go a long way towards reducing unnecessary heat in your farm. A good aerator can also help to keep temperature under control. And since heat also tends to lead to increased humidity, installing a device to control the humidity in your farm will definitely help to ensure that your plants enjoy the best possible environment for higher yields.
Never Overlook Spacing Requirements
One of the main things that you should get right from the start is the spacing in your farm. Remember, while vertical farms make it easier for people to get more produce per square inch, this does not mean that you can get away with cramming as many plants as you can in your farm. The plants need enough light, you need to be able to adequately control the heat and humidity in the place, and you will also need to move in between plants since you have to take care of them.
When plants are placed too close together, they keep each other from getting enough light. While some compensate for this inadequacy by investing in stronger lights or placing the lights closer to the plants, this is something that always leads to burnt plants. Poor spacing can also make it harder for you to control humidity and heat since it restricts airflow. Therefore, making sure that your plants are properly spaced right at the beginning of your farming journey will help in keeping you from having low yields or having to spend money on expensive renovations.
Image Source: Unsplash
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thanks Boris