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General Types of Indoor Growing Environments

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Introduction:

Large Corn field at a farm

When many people think about farming and agriculture, massive corn fields are what come to mind here in USA. I am sure that is different depending on where in the world you are located but the same idea. HUGE OUTDOOR FIELDS is what comes to mind. 

But today we are talking about Many Different types of Indoor Growing Environments. Many people see Indoor Growing as a way of the future. But due to its higher entry cost, it is less common. This is changing as our world is changing which is causing more & more large scale “indoor growing” operations are popping up everywhere.  

Indoor Growing - In General

Indoor growing is the act of cultivating plants “inside” VS traditional “outdoor” agriculture where plants are cultivated outside. Indoor growing can have many different advantages basically due to your ability to “take control” almost all growing conditions known as Environmental Factors (Check Out Our Article). The more optimum growing conditions you provide? The better your crops will do growing faster, stronger, and most likely better yields. 

Large Commercial Greenhouse Complex

Pro's

  • Better control of growing conditions
  • Can control almost all conditions instead of just “some” with outdoor growing
  • Extend the growing season
  • Allow plants that can’t grow outdoors in certain climates to be grown. 
  • So much more!

Con's

  • Much higher cost per sqft of growing space.
  • More complicated than traditional outdoor growing where “mother nature” takes care of many environmental factors.

Greenhouses

Greenhouses are what most people think of when “Indoor Growing” is brought up. That is because traditionally they have been the center of indoor growing. They provide the benefits of better control of all the environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, CO2 Levels, and so much more like all indoor growing methods. But many places / crops will not require Growing Lights in a Greenhouse unlike the other types of Indoor Growing Environments. This is clearly due to the Greenhouses are usually covered in a transparent material such as glass, plastic, plexiglass, and such. These materials allow natural sun through. 

Greenhouses come in many different forms and size factors from massive commercial greenhouse complexes to tiny “cold frames” that you can’t even walk in. They have many different structural designs from “hoop houses” to more traditional framed greenhouses. They can also range from very economical plain metal frames covered in plastic to very expensive / beautiful iron frames with glass. The types, designs, and purposes are almost endless with Greenhouses.   

Commercial Greenhouse Complex

Commercial Greenhouse Complex example

"Hoop House" Greenhouse

Commercial Hoop House Greenhouse

Residental Frame Greenhouse

Residential Greenhouse Example

Cold Frame Greenhouse

Cold Frame Greenhouse Example

Grow Rooms

Grow Rooms have grown in popularity over the last few decades. This is due to high level of control they provide AND most important security. Many crops raised in Grow Rooms are of very high value where the grower wants better security than a traditional greenhouse can offer. 

Like a greenhouse, Grow Rooms provide all the benefits of the control ability of all environmental factors. They are also many times more “sanitary” with less pest and disease problems compared to greenhouses. However, they are more costly to setup per SQFT compared to Greenhouses due to they require more ventilation, SQFT inside a building, LIGHT for the plants to grow. This light is provided by one or more types of grow lighting systems. Check out our many articles on Grow Lights such as Different Types of Grow Lights (Click Here)

Grow Room Example

Grow Tent

Mars Hydro 8' X 8' Grow Tent

Grow Tents are extremely popular growing solutions for the person looking to grow couple plants. They are very economical compared to a full blown Grow Room, easily movable to new location, and many other advantages. But they generally only come in up to 8′ X 8′ which is a limiting factor if you plan to continue expanding overtime. 

Quality Grow Tents will come with metal pole system as its “skeleton” support structure. AVOID PLASTIC! The material should be a heavy canvas for longevity with quality zippers / clips for openings. They come in many different sizes ranging from as small as 2′ X 2′ for a corner of a room to the larger 8′ X 8′ more suited as a movable “grow room.”

If you would like to learn more about Grow Tents, check out our other articles such as Overview of Grow Tents (Click Here)

Hydro-Unlimited actually sells an amazingly quality line of Grow Tents from Mars Hydro. Check them out by Clicking Here!

Hydroponic Grow Tent Example

Grow Box

Supercloset Trinity Grow Box

Grow Boxes or Grow Cabinets are generally the smallest of the growing units. They generally are used in place of a Grow Tent when the grow is only few plants which require top level security. They range from the size of a desktop computer to very large storage cabinets.

Many people DIY build them or you can buy one from multiple builders such as SuperClosets. They can range in cost depending on options and size from $500 to $5000! 

To Close

In closing, “Indoor Growing” is very important means of agriculture. It has been greatly growing in use over last few decades. This started with the most valuable crops, but it now has become way more common in many more different crops. This has been greatly due to the rise in commercial hydroponics which is mainly done in Greenhouses. Indoor Growing has allowed for plants to be grow in different climates more successfully, provide food when late frosts destroyed traditional outdoor crop yields, and so much more. We have and will continue to write many articles on Indoor Growing so please explore our blog and subscribe for our regular new articles!

Hydroponic Growing Environments

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Introduction

Hydroponic systems generally do best in well controlled indoor growing environments. This is mostly accomplished by a few different methods. They include greenhouses, grow tents, grow rooms, and grow cabinets. This allows for cleanliness, control of the environmental factors, and more. Controlling the environment increases yields, crop quality, and less issues with the hydroponic system. 

Main Types of Grow Environments

Greenhouses

Greenhouses range from small residential wall units to massive commercial operations. Wooden structures with glass have become a things of the past. They have been replaced by metal structure with polycarbonate “glass.” These structures are not only cheaper but last longer than traditional greenhouses. 

Hydroponic Greenhouse Example
Hydroponic Greenhouse Example

Pro’s

  • Provide great environmental control if setup correctly. With heating systems they can be used year around even during harsh winters. 
  • If lighting systems are used, they are used as supplemental light as greenhouses allow for sunlight.
  • Many times provide more room than other grow environment options

Con’s

  • Generally the most expensive option by far.
  • May be unavailable to people without land to install them on. 
  • Some land especially in HOA’s may have covenant restriction against building a greenhouse at your home.

Grow Rooms

Grow rooms are also a popular option for people that have extra space in their basements. Basically you have a walled off room, walls need to be flat white, and electrical available. You will need to install all the ventilations and grow lighting will be required unlike a greenhouse. But many times people build them similar size or larger than many residential greenhouses. They are mostly seen as the best truly indoor option.

Grow Room Diagram
Grow Room Diagram

Pro’s

  • Can be done in houses inside HOA’s or restrictive land covenants due to its inside the house. 
  • Depending if you already have a walled off room in your basement, can be much cheaper than building a greenhouse

Con’s

  • Requires grow lights unlike the greenhouse
  • Can be expensive if you have to wall off a new room in your basement.

Grow Tent

Grow Tents are a great option for people that have less space than a full grow room. They are like their names sounds, a frame holding up a tent to create this controlled environment for your plants. They can also be a great option for someone wanting something the size of a grow room but do not want to wall off their basement. We carry a Mar Hydro 8’X8′ unit that is like a mini grow room in size. 

Mars Hydro 4'x4' Grow Tent
Mars Hydro 4'x4' Grow Tent

Pro’s

  • Very cheap and affordable option compared to above two.
  • Portable if you ever need to move it.
  • Provides a great controlled growing environment for your plants.

Con’s

  • Require grow lighting to provide all light for plants
  • Wear out faster than above two more expensive options. But you can get years of service out of a quality product. 

Grow Cabinets / Boxes

This method of controlled growing environment is normally the smallest. They can be as small as a PC up to a large wall cabinet. Most people that use them live in apartments or have limited space. They are popular as they are less obvious in appearance compared to a more affordable grow tent.   

Grow Box example

Pro’s

  • More stealthy in appearance compared to any other option.
  • Many sizes available to fit even small spaces.
  • Portable if needed. 

Con’s

  • More expensive than a Grow Tent
  • Customization is more difficult 
  • Harder to transport as they can be very heavy