Irrigation systems.

Hydroponics and aeroponics, closed-loop by design

Irrigation is where an indoor farm meets the plant's most basic needs — water and nutrients — and inside a vertical farm there are two main systems to choose between: hydroponics and aeroponics. Both can be run as tightly closed loops, recirculating nutrient solution layer by layer so that consumption approaches the crop's biological minimum, essentially what the plants transpire. Which system fits best depends on the crop, the layout and the risk profile you are comfortable with, and our specialists model those trade-offs for each project.

Hydroponics is the most established and widely proven approach, and it splits into four irrigation principles. In Ebb & Flow, benches are periodically flooded so plants in substrate can take up water, then drained again. NFT (nutrient film technique) runs a constant thin film of nutrient solution through a gutter, continuously feeding the roots — a method already proven in greenhouses. Deep Water Culture (DWC) floats plants on a nutrient pond in a single-layer setup, relying on a stable biological balance in the water. And the shallow water system, a middle ground between NFT and DWC, keeps a small layer of solution in the bench so the concept works in multi-layer racks where DWC cannot. Some projects go further into aquaponics, combining fish and vegetable production in one interconnected loop that turns fish waste into plant nutrients.

Aeroponics takes a different route, delivering water and nutrients to bare roots as a fine mist. Because the roots sit in air between mistings, they gain excellent oxygen access alongside moisture, which supports vigorous development, and water use is minimal since very little solution is circulated. The trade-offs are real, however: with no water reserve at the root, the system is sensitive to power interruptions, and maintenance is critical — a single blocked nozzle can meaningfully reduce output. Choosing between hydroponic and aeroponic irrigation, or combining them across crops, is a decision worth making with expert input; get in touch to weigh the options and their pros and cons for your farm.