The use of vertical towers in our 5,000 ft² greenhouse allows us to produce the same amount of yields as that of a 50,000 ft² traditional greenhouse facility.
True Garden implements a successful solution for vertically grown, local and pesticide-free produce
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- Greenhouse:
- True Garden
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- Location:
- Arizona, United States
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- Crop:
- Lettuce
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- Challenge:
- Uneven light, thermal stress
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- Solution:
- Luxous 1547 D FR
JUNE 2019
True Garden, located in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, is the Southwest’s leading vertical aeroponic food farm and the first of its kind in the United States capable of producing cool-season crops year-round despite the desert climate. Combining advanced greenhouse technologies with sustainable practices, True Garden grows pesticide-free lettuce, spinach, herbs, and leafy greens in vertical towers, achieving high productivity in a small footprint.
The operation uses a combination of smart technology solutions, including Svensson climate screens and insect control netting, to create optimal growing conditions in extreme summer heat and to reduce energy use during the cooler months.
True Garden operates a solar-powered aeroponic greenhouse that allows water-efficient and space-efficient food production. The vertical aeroponic system uses 95% less water and 90% less space than conventional farming methods. All produce is grown without pesticides or chemicals and is nutrient-dense.
“The use of vertical towers in our 5,000 ft² greenhouse allows us to produce the same amount of yields as that of a 50,000 ft² traditional greenhouse facility,” says Troy Albright, Founder and CEO.
To support year-round, pesticide-free cultivation in Arizona’s harsh desert climate, True Garden relies on Svensson’s Luxous 1547 D FR energy screen to create a stable microclimate for heat-sensitive crops, paired with Econet 1515 insect netting for effective pest exclusion without limiting airflow.
Climate control in extreme summer heat
During summer months, when daytime temperatures can reach 120°F (49°C) and nights remain warm at 90°F (32°C), the greenhouse uses the diffusive properties of the Luxous screen to maintain optimal internal temperatures. The screen is deployed during peak solar radiation hours, helping to keep temperatures below 87°F (30°C) inside the greenhouse.
“To help control the climate in the summer, our Luxous 1547 D FR screen is used between the hours of 1:00 – 3:00 PM, when the solar radiation is the most intense. Ideally, we want to keep temperatures under 87°F (30°C) in the greenhouse, and we can do so thanks to our energy screen’s diffusive properties,” describes Albright.
Winter energy savings and light management
In the winter, True Garden operates in a naturally ventilated mode. Coupled with the energy savings provided by the Luxous screen, the greenhouse minimizes supplemental energy use. Additionally, the diffusive screen characteristic allows more light to reach lower plants on the vertical towers, maximizing light availability during shorter winter days.
“We not only use our Luxous screen for energy saving purposes during the winter; its diffusive characteristic allows more light to reach the lower plants on our towers, maximizing the light in the greenhouse during the shorter winter days,” says the team.
