How to grow?

Sizing the facility

Based on off-take agreements, market investigations and competitor analyses, a pretty accurate forecast can be made on the production volume the new greenhouse project should have. This works well in spreadsheets and business models, but keeping this manageable in terms of labor and quality as a start-up, is just as important. Once the cornerstone of the greenhouse operation is set, expansion possibilities should also be considered. If that infrastructure is considered from the start, scaling up can be a lot easier.

Climate Requirements

The key to both quantity and quality produce are climate and light. First off, we look at the crop requirements and determine the parameters that we need for the plants to thrive. For more informtion on crop specific requirements, please visit the cultivation section of our website. After that, what look at what is needed based on the climate, local weather occurrences and natural sunlight in the area of construction. This is used to scale up and add on or deduct technical installations.

Energy

Getting the climatic installations right, involves an investment, but also operational costs, of which energy is by far the most significant. With our design and calculation software CRUX, we quickly gain insight in not only the investment, but also the operational expenditures. Strategically choosing and sizing equipment based on energy consumption and energy prices, can create competitive advantages which recur annually.

Irrigation & Crop Specific Requirements 

Besides energy, water is also an operational expense to keep track of. In Dutch greenhouse projects, we choose hydroponics to give us complete control over the quality of water that goes to the plants. For more information on hydroponics and suitable cultivation methods, please visit the technology section of the website.