Page 12 - Griffin Gazette Issue 2 - 2018

MOVING FROM

FLOWERS

Helping new lettuce and herb growers find success

By Tami Van Gaal, Production systems supply of product. While basil likes warmer
CEA Division Lettuce, leafy greens and herbs can temperatures, lettuce requires cooler
Leader be produced in a number of ways, with temperatures. All flower growers know what
the most common approach using it means to heat a greenhouse. Maintaining
Consumer interest hydroponics. Deep water culture (DWC) cool conditions in the warmer months
in sustainable, locally involves supporting the crop with a raft that is something that fewer growers have
produced food is floats on the top of a shallow pond in the needed to address. For most locations,
driving small markets, greenhouse. The pond contains a nutrient lettuce crops will require active cooling
local restaurants, solution that feeds the crop. Only the roots during the warmer months. This is one
and both regional come into contact with the solution. DWC reason that greenhouse lettuce production
and national grocery is most commonly used for head lettuce, is more common in northern states than
chains to source greenhouse-produced though it can be adapted to leafy greens southern states. In lettuce production, it’s
crops. A review of the restaurant menus production, too. not uncommon to cool the nutrient solution
and a walk through grocery store aisles in addition to cooling the production space.
proves this out: Locally sourced produce For new growers converting existing In some cases, cooling the space may be
is heavily marketed and carries a stronger, greenhouse space, the easiest approach achieved with traditional fan/pad systems.
perceived value. Griffin works with a will be to retrofit the production space Larger growers will often turn to advanced
large number of controlled environment with a nutrient film technique (NFT) chiller technology to support predictable,
agriculture (CEA) growers producing system. NFT systems are highly efficient, year round production.
lettuce and herbs in greenhouses recirculating systems in which a thin
around the country. This is definitely a stream of water runs through food-grade Lettuce, especially head lettuce, can
growing market. gutters or channels. The gutters support develop tip burn under certain conditions
the crop so that the roots are bathed in the when transpiration is limited (low light,
Odds are good that most flower growers nutrient solution. Head lettuce, leaf lettuce, high humidity, poor air flow). As in flower
can name a couple of growers that have leafy greens and herbs are all commonly production, HAF fans are important in
expanded into food in the last two or three grown in NFT systems. maintaining a constant environment
years. Are you thinking of growing your across the production space. However,
business into this rapidly expanding arena, Climate control lettuce needs a little extra help on this
too? If so, let’s look at how production of Year-round production of food crops front, as HAF fans will not break down the
lettuce and herbs will differ from what you requires good environmental control microclimate that develops at the growing
know in flower production. through the summer and winter to maintain tips. The best way to prevent tip burn in
crop quality and to ensure a consistent

12 | Griffin Gazette 2018 More to see online | See our digital Gazette for more on Moving from Flowers to Food!