Mitigating Costs of Growing Tomatoes in a Greenhouse

Prospiant Tomatoes

Photo: Prospiant

For optimum crop health, tomato crops need water and fertilizer, but light is the driving force for photosynthesis. It allows tomato plants to accept more energy, reduce water loss, and maximize growth.

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To mitigate the costs of growing tomato plants, greenhouse light systems and internal climates alike must be taken into consideration. Lighting systems can be designed to supplement lower levels of light during certain seasons. To reduce costs, growers can use supplemental light during the winter months. The lighting can be set for the perfect number of micromoles preferred. And since target micromoles will be achieved or exceeded with sunlight most of the year, the supplemental lighting can used when it would most benefit crop growth.

Growers can then implement a two-crop rotation where it’s possible to begin planting tomatoes in June or July, and then seed again in December or January. This process is the best way to produce the most fruit in a greenhouse. With supplemental lighting, larger yields can be achieved — exceeding actual environmental conditions that are dependent on seasons.

Having an ability to dim lights can also save on operating costs. Light dimming best simulates sunrise and sunset and can be used to increase lighting intensity throughout the tomato crop growing stages. Dimming is especially important in a greenhouse because it allows a cultivator to reduce the natural flux of sunlight at any given time.

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Finally, a lighting system design needs to be aligned with proper heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC). Each of these elements directly impacts the cultivation success of a greenhouse’s tomato crops. When systems are set specifically to achieve return on investment (ROI) calculations and yields, growers can achieve better yields and overall crop quality.

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