Urban Farming: How to Start Vertical Farming with Shipping Containers
As urban spaces become increasingly limited, innovative solutions, like vertical farms, have emerged to address the need for sustainable food production in urban environments. Using a shipping container to create a vertical farm offers a unique opportunity to grow crops in a space-efficient manner and help to eliminate food waste. Vertical farming shipping containers reduce land usage, use resources efficiently and increase food security by providing communities access to fresh, local produce year-round.
What is vertical farming?
This innovative agricultural technique involves cultivating crops in vertically stacked layers or towers, often indoors or in controlled environments. This method revolutionises traditional farming by employing innovative technologies like aeroponics (growing plants without soil and using a nutrient-dense mist instead of water) or hydroponic farming. A vertical farm focuses on utilising a vertical growing space to grow food, prioritising efficiency and resource conservation over traditional expansive outdoor farming practices.
Indoor farms minimise water usage through irrigation systems that recycle and recirculate water. Plus, they enable year-round cultivation, independent of weather conditions, by providing artificial lighting and climate control. A vertical farm also reduces reliance on pesticides and herbicides, as controlled environments minimise the risk of pests and diseases.
Why Shipping Containers are the Future of Farming
Container farms provide a controlled environment agriculture solution to grow leafy greens, culinary herbs, micro greens, edible flowers and even gourmet mushrooms 365 days a year. Container farms are cost-effective, readily available, and their conversion requires a relatively low initial investment compared to constructing purpose-built structures.
As container farms are portable, they allow flexibility in setting up a farm in urban areas and relocating. Shipping container farming offers opportunities for customisation, with their modular structure enabling farmers to adapt and optimise the interior layout according to their specific crop requirements and environmental controls.
How to Start a Vertical Farm with Shipping Containers
Starting a container farm can be an exciting and rewarding venture to grow leafy vegetables and other fresh and nutritious food. Here are five essential steps to guide new growers:
A Greener Future: Vertical Farming in Shipping Containers
Container farming can be a fulfilling and sustainable endeavour with numerous benefits. Container farming empowers people to grow produce, contribute to local food production, and promote a healthier, more environmentally friendly lifestyle.
If you’re ready to start growing food in your own container farm, browse our range of shipping containers online. We provide options for purchase or hire, with affordable delivery to your home or commercial location. Contact us by phone or email [email protected] to determine the best solution for your container farm.