The Advantages of Indoor Hydroponic Container Farming
The Basics of Indoor Hydroponic Container Farming
Indoor hydroponic container farming allows Vertical Roots to maximize yields and minimize contamination. Put simply: Hydroponics is a way to skip the soil, sub in a different material to support the roots of the plant, and grow crops directly in nutrient-rich water. There are many types of hydroponic systems, Vertical Roots uses NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) hydroponic systems. The core elements needed for hydroponic systems are:
Fresh Water
Oxygen
Root Support
Nutrients
Lights
The Perks of Indoor Farming
We can grow anywhere
Our controlled indoor containers can be placed virtually anywhere regardless of weather or seasonality. If we do come across growing issues, we’re able to minimize crop loss and reduce contaminations.
We grow faster
Our lettuce receives the exact lighting, water, and nutrients it needs to grow, creating the optimal growing environment. Our hydroponic plants can mature within 30-35 days compared to 40-45 days using traditional farming methods.
We use fewer resources
Our hydroponic NFT systems recycle and reuse water, using up to 98% less water compared to tradition soil-based farming. We’re occupying less land while producing more food and with our local distribution and food access points, we’re lowering emissions.
We make data-driven changes
Because our software allows us to monitor and control each environmental component and tailor nutrient recipes, we’re able to harness data to make better decisions – creating high quality food.
From Seed to Store
Using our farm software we are constantly monitoring growing environments and tracking our products throughout the growth and distribution cycle.
Based off orders from our community partners, we know which greens to grow and how many we’ll need. Seeded trays are them put into propagation areas until they sprout.
Nutrient water, humidity and light helps seeds sprouts within 3-4 days. Seedlings live in these trays for 2 weeks. Once seedlings are transplanted, the trays are thoroughly cleaned before the new batch arrives.
Once the seedlings are large enough, they are moved into freshly cleaned growing pods outfitted with NFT channels that deliver nutrient water, special lighting, and controlled temps until they are ready to be harvested.
After about 21-35 days the lettuce is ready to be harvested. Our farmers are decked out in food safety gear and fill sanitized bins until the pod is empty and ready to be sanitized.
Freshly harvested products are moved into a cooler area where our food safe farmers are ready to clean, weigh and package products for distribution.
Our lettuce likes to be cold. Cases of packaged products live in our cooler pod for 1-3 days waiting to be loaded into temperature controlled trucks or delivery vans.
Products that are loaded up and ready to go are driven to stores that day. Our lettuce doesn’t have to travel far to get to your local grocery store or restaurant. Whether you’re shopping at your local grocery store or picking out what to eat at your favorite restaurant, you can trust that your food is clean, healthy, and fresh.
