What are the different methods of vertical farming?
There are three most common indoor vertical farming methods: aquaponics, aeroponics and hydroponics. All of them use soilless cultivation methods to provide healthy nutrition to plants.
Aquaponic vertical farming
In aquaponic vertical farming, fish farming is combined with a hydroponic system for growing plants. In other words, aquaponics is the co-cultivation of fish and greens.
During this process the waste water from fish tanks is collected, filtered and supplemented with needed elements by a pump system. Then, this water is circulated up to the plants located above the fish unit. The plants, in their turn, get all the essential nutrients from this water, while oxygenating it. After that, it is pumped back to the tank with the fish.
Aquaponic farming is a "win-win": the greens are provided with all they need for healthy growth, and the fish get water with high oxygen levels. Another advantage of aquaponics is that such farms do not need much space, since the trays with plants are located above the fish unit.
Aquaponics functions as a self-contained cycle, so if one part fails, the entire system fails. This is the biggest disadvantage of this vertical farming system. Setting up and expanding an aquaponic farm is expensive because it’s much more intricate than hydroponics and even aeroponics.
Aeroponic vertical farming
Like hydroponics and aquaponics, aeroponics allows growing plants without soil. In such farms, the plants are submerged in a nutrient-rich mist solution. At first glance, it may appear the plants in an aeroponic vertical farm are simply hovering. But it is a much more intricate process.
The plants are cultivated on foam, and the roots penetrate a mesh lid, extending into the fog chamber. The roots are showered with a nutrient-rich solution, providing the plants with sustenance. A timer is attached to the pump to make sure the roots are kept sprayed with water and nutrients at regular intervals.
AeroFarms is one of the top businesses utilizing vertical farming with aeroponics. The company has farms around the world growing over 550 kinds of vegetables, fruits, and greens. Tower gardens and farms have also been built with aeroponics, and can be constructed atop urban buildings, offering amazing sights.
Aeroponics has the downside of being expensive to set up and requiring specialized equipment; hydroponics, on the other hand, involves investing in nutrients and adding them to the water supply, and the system then takes care of the rest.
Hydroponic vertical farming
Hydroponics is the most optimal vertical farming system because of its market efficiency (the farm can pay off in less than 4 years!) and versatility: it can be used in both industrial and retail settings. With hydroponics, a larger variety of crops can be cultivated, and the initial costs are much lower than with aeroponics. The system is less complex, as there’s no co-cultivation of fish and crops like in aquaponics. The main challenge of running a hydroponic vertical farm is setting the right automation which would reduce costs and prevent production risks. In hydroponics, plant roots are submerged in substrates such as perlite and rockwool, usually along with a nutrient-rich water solution. Hydroponics farming systems employ diverse techniques of cultivating plants in simulated settings, such as wick, drip, flooding and nutrient layer.
Vertiseed Farm primarily uses hydroponic methods of farming in its vertical farming systems.
Hydroponics is an ideal method for vertical farming because it allows for precise control over the growing environment. The plants receive the exact amount of water and nutrients they need, and the use of artificial lighting ensures that they receive the right amount of light for optimal growth.
Vertiseed Farm's vertical farming systems are designed to meet the needs of both small-scale urban farmers and large commercial operations. Our systems are scalable and customizable, so whether you're growing herbs in your apartment or producing crops for a restaurant chain, we have a system that can meet your needs.
At Vertiseed Farm, we're committed to sustainable and efficient farming practices. Our vertical farming systems use less water and fewer resources than traditional farming methods, and our hydroponic systems eliminate the need for pesticides and herbicides, resulting in a cleaner and healthier product. Contact us today to learn more about how our vertical farming systems can help you grow fresh produce in a sustainable and efficient way.