Using a Commercial-Sized Urban Cultivator
More delicious greens are sprouting inside my new Urban Cultivators!
Recently, I received two new indoor units from Urban Cultivators - a hydroponics company in Canada that manufactures automated gardening machines to grow a wide variety of fresh, organic herbs and microgreens year-round. I love these Urban Cultivators and have been using them at my farm for several years - they’re easy-to-use and require no pesticides or chemicals of any kind. On yesterday’s blog, I shared photos of my new residential model. I also have a new commercial-sized machine, which is much larger and houses more trays.
Enjoy these photos.
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- This is my commercial-sized Urban Cultivator getting wheeled into the head house of my main greenhouse. It weighs 545-pounds and can hold up to 16-flats. http://www.urbancultivator.net
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- The automated system provides a self-contained growing environment with everything the plants need to thrive.
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- The seed trays sit over these reservoirs and are automatically watered from the back of the unit. The Urban Cultivator Commercial model uses only about 32-gallons of water a week to refill and clean the reservoir.
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- Ryan removes all the trays, so they can be filled with seeds.
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- Each of the 16 trays measures 10-inches by 20-inches.
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- Here, Ryan uses some of the various pre-seeded grow mats, which fit perfectly into the cultivator trays.
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- These seeds are already spread over the surface of the mats.
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- Here is a closer look at the thickness of the mats – they retain water, keeping seedlings moist as they develop.
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- Blackie loves to sit on a nearby table to watch all the activity.
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- Here, Ryan uses seed sheets, which also fit perfectly into the Cultivator tray. Ryan tries a variety of substrates to see which ones work best.
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- Each of these seed sheets has seeds spread evenly across for best growing.
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- Another growing option… hemp mats, which are 100-percent biodegradable and compostable, all-natural, and ph neutral.
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- Hemp mats are used as an alternative to soil – they make clean-up much easier. Ryan pours a layer of pea seeds onto the mat.
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- The seeds the Urban Cultivator provides have all been tested specifically for the machines. They are non-GMO (non genetically modified organism), organic, and come in a wide variety.
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- These hydroponic seed mats absorb more water and offer a more consistent environment for growing seeds and roots.
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- Here is Ryan pouring more pea seeds onto the mat’s surface. These seeds are not spaced in rows, but still have ample room to grow.
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- He filled every tray and placed them all back into Urban Cultivator. These trays will grow pea, lettuce, kale, watercress, and broccoli sprouts.
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- Next, Ryan places humidity domes over each tray. The humidity dome remains positioned over the seed tray until germination begins. Each tray receives about 18-hours of light a day.
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- The machine has pre-set growing conditions, but users can also custom program the cultivator to fit specific needs.
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- The liquid crystal touch screen enables one to control the functions and monitor watering, lighting, temperature, relative humidity, and nutrient data.
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- After the weekend, Ryan checked in on the growing seeds. It is fascinating to see how much the plants develop from day to day.
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- Here is one tray – it’s filled with wonderful healthy sprouts.
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- One of the hardest things about maintaining a garden in many regions is the vast change in the weather. Harsh climates can spoil crops in an instant. It’s so wonderful to be able to grow all these delicious lush greens inside our greenhouse all year long.
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