Cubic farming, vertical farming, and container farming all refer to up-and-coming innovative farming methods that aim to solve common field farming problems.
As soil erosion continues to be a persistent issue and population growth demands more construction, the availability of arable land is shrinking. Add damaging weather like droughts to the mix and traditional agricultural practices face problems that can easily be solved by indoor farming methods.
Vertical, container, and cubic farms plant crops indoors, using electric light and nutrient-dense solutions instead of sunlight and soil.
Farms that build up rather than out are called vertical farms. They use hanging contraptions and shelves to grow more plants in smaller spaces.
Container farms grow crops in repurposed shipping containers and often use vertical farming techniques.
Cubic farming takes vertical and container farming to the next level by maximizing the amount of produce grown per cubic foot. This is often done by using conveyor belts to minimize the space needed for human movement.
Each of these three types of farm use soil-free systems such as hydroponic, aeroponic, and aquaponic technology so there is no worry of soil erosion.
Hydroponic farming systems soak the roots of crops in water-based solutions. The solution provides the plants with all the nutrients they would otherwise get from soil, but it in higher concentrations, leading to quicker growth.
Instead of being soaked in water, plants grown in aeroponic systems are watered by having their roots misted. The mist is created from the same nutrient solutions that hydroponic systems use, but aeroponic technology uses less water as the plants don’t have to be submerged in it.
Aquaponic farming combines fish and plant ecosystems. Water from indoor fishponds is used to fertilize the crops, which absorb the nutrients from the water, and then it’s filtered back into the ponds.
Benefits of cubic farming include maximizing production, conserving water, and reducing hazards.
Because cubic farming grows crops vertically as well as horizontally, it can grow more plants in a smaller area.
Indoor farms allow crops to grow year-round. Changing seasons don’t affect crops that are grown in carefully controlled environments.
Everything from air temperature to lighting to nutrient levels in our Pure Greens container farms can be controlled with a mobile app.
As a result of the space and weather benefits, cubic farms have the potential to yield about 50 times more harvest than field crops, according to a study published by the International Society for Horticultural Science.
Our container farms grow anywhere from 1,000 to more than 2,000 plants in a 320 square foot container. That’s about three to six plants per square foot!
Produce grown with vertical farming methods also save water. For example, growing a head of lettuce in a container farm can use as much as 97 percent less water than growing one on a traditional farm.
In addition to maximizing production, container farms are safer for humans.
Growing plants inside nearly eliminates the need for pesticides and herbicides as pests and weeds have a harder time infiltrating indoor farms.
Plus, because more plants can be grown in a smaller area, fewer workers and heavy-duty machinery are required, minimizing accidents.
Now that you know about new ways of farming, it’s time to give it a try!
Visit our website or give us a call at 602–753–3469 to learn more about how you can have your own container farm.
