How to Start a Commercial Greenhouse, CEA Facility, or Indoor Farm

Starting Off on the Right Root- A Guide to Getting Started into the Commercial Horticulture Industry

Mark Twain once said, “The secret to getting ahead is getting started”. These words can not be more true when starting a new business especially when starting a new commercial greenhouse operation. An operator wanting to expand an existing venture or starting brand new from scratch has quite a few things to consider and become aware of. From planning, research, infrastructure, budgeting, lighting, and everything in between an operator needs to have the plan set in place and fully thought out.

Creating a Plan

Before following the dream of creating a commercial operation, a plan of action for the business should be drafted. This will help in ensuring that the dream is obtainable and has realistic goals. An operator should determine first the usual hurdles of marketing, operations, research into the industry and market of the crops to be grown, structure of ownership, and any state-specific guidelines and laws that may impact your operation. Depending on the type of operation, further considerations should be mapped out to ensure that laws and regulations are followed to a T. These range from security and traceability, removal of waste generated from the facility, compliance standards, logistics in retail and processing, testing protocols, as well as a complete description of the facilities including the equipment, grow media, and fertilizers that are going to be used.

Setting up the Operation

The selection of the right location and setup is seen as one of the most important parts of starting a greenhouse operation. One can have the best equipment and the top crop genetics, but if the greenhouse isn’t in the best location, the operation will fail. Considerations for climate, water availability and quality, topography of the land, possible windbreaks, room for future expansion, the overall market and demand for a greenhouse, legal requirements, and overall orientation of the greenhouse for optimal utilization of the sun.

Operation Type: What is going in the greenhouse?

Media Types- In the modern world of commercial horticulture, there are countless types of growing media that can be used in the production of crops. From the traditional soil and potting soil to coco coir and stonewool. There are countless options for any grower that depending on the goals of the operation and type of crops being grown, can be chosen. An operation that is hydroponic based will need a soilless media to grow in. The most common is coco coir, rockwool, or stone. In container grown operations, the most common are potting soil.

Irrigation and Drip Irrigation

Irrigation is one of the most important decisions of a greenhouse as water is an essential component of a successful growing season. Crops grown in a greenhouse require large amounts of water applied at the right time and at the right amounts. Over and under watering leads to poor crop quality and growth. Choosing the right system will help in reducing plant stress and help with the reduction of headaches down the road. There are open and closed watering systems that can be used. Drip irrigation is one of the most common in larger operations as the system uses water wisely and with direct application to root zones regardless of growing media. In hydroponics, the watering system contains a pump and in a closed system, recycles the water throughout in a constant state. The choice of watering system is up to the operations; goals, budget, and crop needs.

Management Systems

In a modern greenhouse, the operation is very technologically advanced with most of everything being controlled by a mechanism or machine. Operations can now control watering systems, heating and cooling systems, lighting, and more with digital timers and systems that once set will run the operation without much overall involvement other than monitoring.

Depending on the level of automation, the operation can control all aspects of the greenhouse and growing areas. Newer technology such as the Anden wi-fi touchscreen thermostat are able to be controlled and monitored through digital applications such as a phone or tablet app. The overall automation in a commercial greenhouse is dependent on the goals of the operation as well as the overall budget.

With Major Decisions Come A Need for Outside Guidance and Help

Starting or extending a commercial operation can be a daunting task. With the stress of making sure all needs and goals are met with ease, while also running a business, can cause any operator to rethink a decision to further the operation. This is where making a connection to a certified business that specializes in the field is a wise choice. Having the extra set of eyes and brain power will enable an operator to make wise decisions that will pay off in the long run.

MORR Inc. has new services offered for commercial greenhouse operations. These services are consultation and design services, construction and installation, and operations and maintenance services. Each of these services assist an operation from concept to overall maintenance of an existing operation. With specialists that have decades of combined experience in the field of commercial horticulture, teaming up seems like an easy decision.

Consultation and Design Services

With teams of knowledgeable and experienced professionals, the consultation and design services assist commercial growers with designing or redesigning their commercial controlled-environment facility. With designing, building/remodeling state-of-the art facilities, field operations, controlled-environment agriculture facilities, vegetation and cultivation rooms, and more, a diverse team of experienced professionals will help any commercial operation with essential equipment, systems, and products needed to be successful to meet goals. With consultations, questions, analyzing, designs, and build outs in a highly efficient, state of the art growing facility that will maximize production and yields with low setup and maintenance costs.

Construction and Installation

After the initial plan is developed, MORR Inc.’s teams offer further support in the construction and installation process as well. With assistance through the entire process from consultations, designs, build, install, and guidance of operations to help growers maintain the facility as efficiently and effectively as possible by using the business plan and marketing strategy specific to the operation. From services in plumbing, epoxy flooring, refrigeration panels, HVAC, rolling benches, electrical, and more.

Operations and Maintenance

After the commercial operation is fully planned and constructed, MORR Inc. offers services to keep the operation running smoothly and efficiently throughout each growing season. With trained professionals, an operator has the support for comprehensive training and support in operation and maintenance of a commercial facility. In essence, the growing operation will be set up for success with minimal risks and mitigating any potential for future mistakes or issues. With support from agronomists, laboratory testing, waste removal management and services, and biological control of disease and pests. Click here for more information about our next generation AG grow services

About MORR Inc.-

MORR Inc. is a wholesale commercial agriculture distributor for planting, growing, and farming located in Los Angeles, CA. MORR Inc. supplies top of the line wholesale commercial hydroponic systems, commercial grow systems, a wide selection of grow lights and automated control systems, nutrient rich soils and growing media, a large selection of specialized advanced plant nutrients for different plant life cycles, dosing and drip irrigation systems, high tech environmental meters and automated systems, fans, filters, plant pesticides, plant fungicides, automated crop management systems, general commercial grow facility supplies and services, plus much more! https://MORR.com. Call to Schedule a Consultation! 1-310-967-2022