Grow container, a plug & play solution
A grow container is a shipping container converted into an urban farm. We use insulated containers for this that can be used both indoors and outdoors. The containers are fully equipped in our workshop for growing the crop you want. This fast plug & play solution offers great flexibility. You can start working on your urban farming project immediately after delivery and when the container needs to be moved, it can be transported on a truck to be used elsewhere. The compactness of the containers makes them relatively easy and cheap to climatize. Shipping containers are available in various sizes and are high enough to accommodate multiple floors. Despite the small floor space, a considerable growing area can still be created. The container is equipped with racks of 80 cm deep and 250 cm high. This is where the plants grow. These racks are placed along the walls of the container with a path of almost 70 cm wide between them. Depending on the type of crop you want to grow in the container, 1 or more levels can be installed. Ebb & flow trays are placed on these levels that are suitable for use in a drip or ebb & flow irrigation system. Another option would be to use special hydro growing containers in the racks. The plants’ roots hang directly in a water/nutrient solution and no substrate is used at all. The containers are available in 4 sizes:| Model | External dimensions l x w x h | Internal dimensions l x w x h | Number of m2 growing surface/floor |
| 10ft | 2,99 x 2,44 x 2,90 mtr | 2,20 x 2,29 x 2,57 mtr | 2,4 |
| 20ft | 6,06 x 2,44 x 2,90 mtr | 5,38 x 2,29 x 2,57 mtr | 5,92 |
| 40ft | 12,20 x 2,44 x 2,90 mtr | 11,92 x 2,29 x 2,57 mtr | 14,4 |
| 45ft | 13,72 x 2,50 x 2,90 mtr | 13,55 x 2,44 x 2,70 mtr | 18 |
Basic Elements
Each grow container must include four basic elements: lighting, ventilation, heating/cooling, and irrigation. Lighting The type of lighting installed in the containers depends entirely on the crops to be grown. Growing plants such as leafy greens, microgreens, and sprouts require less light and a different spectrum than flowering plants like tomatoes, peppers, or cannabis. Specific lighting needs also exist for cultivating young plants from seeds or cuttings. Ventilation To remove warm, humid air, one or more duct fans are installed. By exhausting air from the container, negative pressure is created, which draws in fresh, CO2-rich air. Additionally, active air intake can be implemented by installing fans that draw air from outside into the container. The capacity of the fans depends on the chosen container model and the type of lighting used. Heating/Cooling To maintain an even temperature, a split-unit heat pump is installed in the container. These devices can both heat and cool. The cooling and heating capacity depends on the chosen container model, the lighting system, and the location where the container is used. Irrigation Each container is equipped with an irrigation system that waters the plants at set intervals. This can be a drip, ebb and flow, or hydro irrigation system. These systems consist of components such as water tanks, pumps, drip trays, and drippers. In addition to the above basic functions, various other parameters can be controlled depending on the crops to be grown and local conditions. Electrical devices, sensors, and software are required to monitor and adjust these factors. These components significantly influence the final price of the container. Parameters that can be automatically monitored and adjusted include:- PAR/PPF (light intensity) values in different zones
- CO2 levels
- Day and night humidity
- Substrate temperature
- Substrate moisture levels
- Nutrient water temperature
- pH of nutrient water
- EC of nutrient water
- Water level in the tank
