PURE GREENS GENERAL INFO
Here are some of the questions we get asked the most. Contact us if you don't find the answer you're looking for and we'll be happy to answer them.
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General FAQs
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Who are Pure Greens Container Farms right for?
Our shipping container farms give organizations in a variety of industries what they need for their indoor vertical farming operations. Some examples include research institutions, universities, nonprofits, restaurants, hotels, and established farms.
What are the benefits of container farming?
Shipping container farms are portable, scalable and stackable, giving you more flexibility in your sustainable farming practices. They also grow plants in a clean, controlled environment without soil or pesticides. This results in bigger, tastier yields you can harvest daily or weekly. Additionally, they give you the ability to grow year-round in any climate and in areas you normally wouldn’t be able to farm.
Why should I choose Pure Greens over other shipping container farm companies?
Pure Greens offers more container farm sizes and configurations than other container farm companies. It also has its own in-house team of electricians, welders, carpenters, plumbers, growers and engineers who have several centuries of combined experience working with thousands of diverse shipping container modification projects. Most other container farm companies outsource their fabrication work, so you won’t know the level of expertise and craftmanship quality behind their work. We focus on quality over quantity to ensure your vertical farming systems are built right.
What can I grow in a Pure Greens Container Farm?
Pure Greens Container Farms are optimized to grow leafy greens, herbs and microgreens. Growers have also found success growing a variety of other crops, including seedlings for nursery production, edible flowers, mushrooms, and some root vegetables. If you need to grow a different type of crop, we can customize a container farm for you with your design and drawings.
What is a container farm?
Container farms are ocean shipping containers used to grow produce through indoor vertical farming. Ours use hydroponic growing techniques to grow crops and comes with controlled environment technology so you can create the perfect growing environment for your plants.
What are the benefits of indoor vertical farming?
Indoor vertical farming has many great benefits. To name a few: You can grow year-round in any climate because the farms are insulated with HVAC units. It saves space by enabling you to grow more crops per sq. ft. than traditional farming. It limits crop losses by preventing damage from weather, seasons and pests. You use 90% less water than traditional farming. And it gives you more control over your growing environment for cleaner produce and faster harvest.
What are the benefits of hydroponics?
Growing your crops hydroponically saves water, leads to faster growth and gives you total nutrient control for bigger growth. It also makes your produce taste better due to how clean and nurturing hydroponic environments are.
Can I grow organic produce?
Many vertical farmers contend that container farm crops are not only organic, but also exceed these standards. Our hand washing sink and vestibule add-ons make food handling practices safer and may help you achieve organic certification. You may also list that you use “organic practices” without the certification.
How many plants will a container farm hold?
Pure Greens Container Farms have 1,500 to 6,300 plant sites, depending on site density, layout, customizations and add-ons. For example, a typical layout with the narrower 3.75-inch-wide channels would consist of 210 individual channels. With 8 inches of spacing between sites, you’d have 3,150 plant sites available.
How tall can the plants grow in my container farm?
Your plants will be able to grow up to 12 in , but this may vary depending on your layout, customizations and add-ons.
What in my Pure Greens Container Farm can be automated?
Your automation system can control your container farm’s room and water temperature, humidity and pH levels, CO2 concentration, nutrient solution concentration and flow, water oxygenation, lighting spectrum and intensity, water and light schedules, fans and more.
How are Pure Greens Container Farms automated?
Pure Greens Container Farms feature state of the art monitoring, control and automation systems that are designed and manufactured in-house using open-source software. These systems are controlled from an intuitive touch screen inside the farm or remotely from your mobile devices or PC.
What vertical farming systems do your container farms come with?
Pure Greens Container Farms come with your choice of nutrient film technique (NFT) or deep flow technique (DFT) hydroponic systems. Both are active recovery systems that constantly run nutrient solution through your plants’ roots and recycles the water. If you need a different hydroponic system, we can customize your farm to accommodate.
What kind of grow lights will come with my container farm?
We use full spectrum 40-Watt 100 μmol/s light fixtures, which provide excellent vegetative growth with lower power consumption and heat output than traditional fluorescent bulbs.
What are the dimensions of the growing system rows?
Depending on your layout and system, the grow racks span 20 to 32 ft along the sides of the grow room. They’re 25 to 28 inches wide and 96 inches tall.
Can you add more space, like an extra row to the top or longer rows?
Yes, we can add more space. We only recommend adding an extra row to the top if you’re growing small, short crops like lettuce. We can install longer rows up to 35 ft long, if you don’t opt for a vestibule. This would also require decreasing your lighting to avoid overloading your farm’s electrical system. It can also be refitted for plant propagation without having to change the power load. This would depend on the configuration of the farm. We believe we’ve covered the majority of feasible options that would be suitable for your needs, but feel free to ask. We’re always open to considering other possibilities and will be sure to give you our honest opinion on the advantages, disadvantages and feasibility of any proposed designs.
How do the reservoirs fill with water?
The water reservoirs refill automatically with a float valve. You can also add a reservoir level and temperature for monitoring.
How are the container farms cooled and heated?
Each Pure Greens Container Farm is equipped with an HVAC unit, sized appropriately for your specific configuration, heat load and location. The conditioned air is distributed through a perforated fabric duct on the ceiling, which spans the entire length of the Grow Room.
Do your container farms come with carbon dioxide?
Yes, we offer a carbon dioxide add-on. It’ll be stored in a tank and emitted through perforated tubing. You can automatically regulate carbon dioxide output using an electronic solenoid and our proprietary automation system. However, you would need to supply the tank at your location as road transportation of a pressurized CO2 tank should be kept to a minimum.
Your website says I don't need pesticides, but I have a small infestation. What do you recommend?
Although rare and often minor, pests may be carried into the grow room from external sources, such as seeds or your clothing. We recommend using biological pest controls like citric acid or beneficial insects to maintain the quality and health of your crops.
Does Pure Greens provide training to new farmers?
We will train you on how to operate your container farm and provide you with an owner’s manual at our site or remotely. We also provide ongoing phone support with our expert growers if you need it.
How much space do I need for my container farm?
Ideally, you need at least a 55’ x 12’ area to have enough room for standard utility connections such as water hookup and an electricity outlet, opening the entry door, and HVAC airflow. Some custom modifications may require additional exterior room. Please contact us for measurements specific to your Container Farm.
Do I need to prepare the ground where I'll be placing my Container Farm before delivery?
Yes, container farms need a firm foundation. We recommend a level concrete pad or concrete footings. You can also use railroad ties to raise the farm if required. Any “softer” foundation, such as asphalt or gravel, may result in your container farm settling or distorting. Maintaining a level foundation is crucial for your farms’ performance.
What kind of electricity do I need for my container farm?
The electricity you need to operate your container farm will be determined by which system and layout you choose. Power supply requirements can range anywhere from 60 amps to 200 amps, 120/240 Volt Single Phase.
Do Pure Greens Container Farms require assembly?
Your container farm will be delivered fully assembled, but you’ll need a certified electrician to connect it to a power source.
How long will it take to receive my container farm after I purchase it?
Our 90,000 sq ft fabrication facility and large staff of in-house experts has the capacity to simultaneously build multiple pre-designed or custom container farms. It typically takes 14 to 16 weeks from purchase to delivery, depending on your custom features and location. You can expect an additional two weeks after for any other purchased units.
What yields can I expect?
The yields you’ll achieve will depend on the crops you’ll be growing and the container farm configuration you choose.
What return on investment (ROI) can I expect?
Your ROI will depend on your business model, what growing system you choose and what crops you’re growing. Once you’ve chosen your crops and calculated how much you’ll need to sell to reach your desired ROI, we can help you select the best container farm layout /design to meet your goals.
How do I estimate revenues and expenses?
Regarding expenses, there are many things to consider. When calculating your expenses, be sure to include the cost of:
- Shipping, duties (if applicable) and taxes.
- Installation and training.
- Labor to operate your container farm.
- Electrical and water cost.
- Inspections and maintenance.
- Seedlings, nutrients, CO2, packaging, etc.
Pure Greens can help you calculate the cost of electricity, depending on where your container farm operation would be based. These are the general expenses you would need to consider for your container farm operation, but there may be others.
Do I have to pay a subscription fee for the automation system?
Unlike some competitors, we design and build your automation system in-house. This means it’s fully customizable and free of monthly or yearly licensing fees.
Do you offer financing?
We offer financing for your container through Contain.ag