As someone who’s spent years experimenting with greenhouse growing, I’ve found that one of the most exciting and rewarding ways to use a greenhouse is to grow small, fast crops in containers. Whether you’re looking to maximize the production from a small space or you’re aiming for a high-profit yield, growing in containers can be a game-changer. Plus, with the right setup—like stacking shelves and incorporating drip irrigation—this approach can be hands-off, fast, and incredibly efficient.
In this post, I’m going to dive into the benefits of growing small, fast-turnaround crops in containers for high production and high profit. I’ll share some tips on maximizing space using stacking and shelving, discuss the advantages of automated watering systems like drip emitters, and walk through some practical examples of how much you can grow and earn with just a little bit of space. Let’s get started!
Why Grow Small, Fast Crops in Containers?
When I first started greenhouse gardening, I was focused on growing larger, longer-term crops like tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers. But over time, I realized that smaller, faster crops offered some unique advantages, especially when space is limited or when you’re trying to turn a quick profit.
Here are a few reasons why growing small, fast crops in containers makes sense:
1. Quick Turnaround: Many small crops, like lettuce, spinach, and herbs, have a short growing cycle, meaning you can harvest and replant quickly. This allows you to grow multiple crops in the same space over the course of a season, increasing your overall yield and profit potential.
2. Less Space Required: Smaller crops don’t need as much room to grow, which means you can pack more plants into a smaller area. This is perfect for those of us working with limited space, whether it’s in a backyard greenhouse or an indoor growing setup.
3. Easier to Manage: Because you’re dealing with smaller plants, container gardening is often easier to manage than growing larger crops in the ground. Containers can be moved around as needed, and you have more control over the growing environment, including the soil, water, and nutrients.
4. High Profit Potential: Fast-growing crops allow for multiple harvests per season, meaning you can generate more income in a shorter period of time. By focusing on high-demand crops that fetch a good price, you can maximize your return on investment.
5. Scalability: Whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand your growing operation, container gardening offers flexibility. You can easily scale up by adding more containers or stacking shelves to increase your growing area vertically.
Now, let’s dive into some of the specific strategies and techniques that can help you maximize your production and profit potential.
The Power of Stacking and Shelving: Vertical Growing for Maximum Space Utilization
One of the best ways to increase your growing area without taking up more horizontal space is by stacking or using shelving. In a greenhouse or other controlled environment, vertical growing can be a game-changer, especially when you’re working with small, fast-growing crops.
1. Stacking for More Plants in Less Space
When you grow vertically, you can fit more plants into a small footprint, effectively doubling or tripling your available space. I like to use multi-tiered shelving units in my greenhouse to make the most of the available vertical space. This is particularly effective for smaller crops like herbs, lettuce, and microgreens, which don’t require a lot of vertical room to grow.
For example, let’s say you have a greenhouse that’s 10 feet by 10 feet in size. If you grow your crops in containers on the ground, you might only have space for about 100 plants (assuming each plant requires 1 square foot of space). But by adding two or three tiers of shelving, you can effectively increase your growing area to 200 or 300 square feet without needing more floor space.
Here’s a quick example of the math:
- Ground-level only: 10 ft x 10 ft = 100 square feet (100 plants)
- Two tiers of shelving: 100 sq ft (ground) + 100 sq ft (shelves) = 200 square feet (200 plants)
- Three tiers of shelving: 100 sq ft (ground) + 100 sq ft (shelf 1) + 100 sq ft (shelf 2) = 300 square feet (300 plants)
By adding shelves or stacking containers, you’ve essentially tripled your growing space in the same area. This means you can grow more plants, harvest more frequently, and ultimately generate more income without expanding the size of your greenhouse.
2. Choosing the Right Shelving System
When it comes to choosing a shelving system for vertical growing, there are a few things to keep in mind. You’ll want to make sure the shelves are sturdy enough to support the weight of your containers and plants, especially if you’re watering them regularly (wet soil can be surprisingly heavy). Additionally, look for shelves that allow for good airflow and light penetration. Wire shelving is a great option, as it allows light to pass through to the plants on lower tiers.
In my own greenhouse, I use wire shelving units with adjustable heights, which allows me to customize the space for different crops. For example, I’ll set the lower shelves closer together for crops like microgreens and lettuce, while the upper shelves have more space for slightly taller plants like herbs.
Drip Emitters: A Hands-Off Approach to Watering
One of the most time-consuming aspects of container gardening is watering. With so many plants packed into a small space, keeping them properly hydrated can quickly become a full-time job. That’s where drip irrigation systems come in.
Drip emitters are a fantastic solution for automating the watering process, allowing you to maintain consistent moisture levels in your containers without having to hand-water each one. Not only does this save time, but it also ensures that your plants are getting just the right amount of water, which is crucial for healthy growth and high yields.
1. How Drip Irrigation Works
Drip irrigation systems use a network of tubes and emitters to deliver water directly to the base of each plant. The emitters release water slowly and steadily, allowing the soil to absorb it gradually and reducing the risk of overwatering or water runoff. Because the water is delivered directly to the roots, there’s less evaporation, which means you’re using water more efficiently.
I’ve been using drip irrigation in my greenhouse for years, and it’s been a total game-changer. Instead of spending hours with a watering can, I can set the system to run automatically at regular intervals. It also makes it easier to maintain consistent moisture levels in the soil, which is especially important for fast-growing crops that require frequent watering.
2. Setting Up a Drip Irrigation System
Setting up a drip irrigation system for containers is relatively simple and can be done with just a few basic components:
- Drip tubing: This is the main line that carries water from your source to the emitters.
- Drip emitters: These are small devices that control the flow of water to each container. You can choose emitters with different flow rates depending on the water needs of your plants.
- Timer: A timer allows you to automate the system, so it turns on and off at set intervals. This is especially useful if you’re growing in a greenhouse and want to ensure consistent watering even when you’re not around.
Once your system is set up, all you need to do is check periodically to make sure everything is working correctly. This hands-off approach allows you to focus on other aspects of your growing operation, like planting, harvesting, and marketing your produce.
Fast Turnaround Crops for High Production and Profit
One of the biggest benefits of growing small crops in containers is the fast turnaround time. Because many of these crops mature quickly, you can plant, harvest, and replant multiple times throughout the season, effectively increasing your total production.
Here are some of the best crops for high production in a container-based system:
1. Lettuce
Lettuce is a fast-growing crop that can be harvested in as little as 30 days, depending on the variety. By using a cut-and-come-again method, you can harvest individual leaves while allowing the plant to continue growing, giving you multiple harvests from a single planting.
2. Spinach
Spinach is another quick-growing green that thrives in containers. Like lettuce, it can be harvested using the cut-and-come-again method, which allows for multiple harvests over the course of a few weeks. Spinach is in high demand for salads and smoothies, making it a profitable crop for small growers.
3. Herbs (Basil, Cilantro, Parsley)
Herbs like basil, cilantro, and parsley are popular crops that grow quickly in containers. They don’t take up much space, and they can be harvested frequently, making them an excellent option for high production. Herbs also tend to have a higher profit margin compared to other crops, especially when sold fresh.
4. Radishes
Radishes are one of the fastest-growing vegetables, maturing in as little as 25 days. They’re perfect for container gardening because they don’t require much space, and they can be harvested quickly and replanted for multiple crops per season.
5. Microgreens
Microgreens are small, nutrient-packed greens that are harvested when they’re just a few inches tall. They’re incredibly fast to grow, with some varieties ready to harvest in just 10 days. Microgreens are a high-value crop, often selling for $20 to $30 per pound, making them a fantastic option for growers looking to maximize profit in a small space.
Maximizing Profit: How Much Can You Grow and Earn?
Now that we’ve covered the best crops and growing strategies, let’s take a look at some real-world examples of how much you can grow and earn with container gardening.
Example 1: Lettuce Production
Let’s say you’re growing lettuce in a 10-foot by 10-foot greenhouse using three tiers of shelving. With each plant taking up about 1 square foot of space, you can grow 300 lettuce plants at a time.
- Harvest time: 30 days
- Number of crops per year: 12 (assuming you replant immediately after each harvest)
- Yield per plant: 1 head of lettuce
- Total heads of lettuce per year: 300 plants x 12 crops = 3,600 heads of lettuce
If you sell each head of lettuce for $2, your total revenue would be:
- Total revenue: 3,600 heads x $2 = $7,200 per year
Example 2: Microgreens Production
Microgreens are a high-value crop that can be grown in shallow containers on shelves. Let’s assume you’re growing microgreens in the same 10-foot by 10-foot space with three tiers of shelving.
- Growing area per tier: 100 square feet
- Total growing area: 300 square feet (with three tiers)
- Yield per square foot: 0.25 pounds of microgreens
- Harvest time: 10 days
- Number of crops per year: 36 (assuming a 10-day growth cycle and immediate replanting)
- Total yield per year: 300 sq ft x 0.25 lbs x 36 crops = 2,700 pounds of microgreens
If you sell microgreens for $25 per pound, your total revenue would be:
- Total revenue: 2,700 pounds x $25 = $67,500 per year
Conclusion: High Production and High Profit in Small Spaces
Growing small, fast crops in containers is an incredibly efficient way to maximize both production and profit, especially when you combine it with strategies like vertical growing and drip irrigation. With a focus on quick-turnaround crops like lettuce, spinach, herbs, and microgreens, you can generate significant yields even in a small space.
By stacking shelves to increase your growing area and automating the watering process with drip emitters, you can create a low-maintenance, high-production growing system that’s perfect for small growers looking to turn a profit. Whether you’re growing for personal use or to sell at markets, container gardening offers flexibility, scalability, and the potential for impressive returns.
So, if you’re ready to take your greenhouse to the next level, give container gardening a try. If you’re interested in a greenhouse or high tunnel to get started or grow your farm, check us out at Greenhousekits1.com, where we’re happy to help you find the right fit for your budget and growing goals. With the right crops and techniques, you’ll be amazed at how much you can grow—and how profitable it can be. Happy growing!
#greenhouse #growyourown #farmlife #garden #farm #foodsafety #lowergrocerybill #groworganic #growfast #plantsforcash #greenhousekits1 #containergrowing #happyplants
Comments