Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Growcer?

Growcer is a vertical farming company enabling anyone to grow fresh, hyper-local produce year-round using its hydroponic modular farms and proprietary technology.

Growcer was created to make growing healthy food year-round in any climate, based on the firsthand experience of our founders in Nunavut, Canada in 2015. Our growing technology was first deployed in food insecure, remote communities, and is now used by businesses, retailers, schools, and anyone else who sees the value and opportunities in growing hyper-local hydroponic produce.

To date, customers have used 70+ Growcer farms to grow more than ten million servings of local, nutritious greens across Canada. Read more about our story.

What do you do?

We work with you to successfully grow fresh produce year-round for your community. We develop indoor modular hydroponic farms and support you every step of the way - from seed to strategy - to grow your project. View our top vertical farming resources to get growing now.

What is hydroponics?

Hydroponics refers to a soil-free growing method that uses nutrient-rich water to grow plants using less space, time, and crop inputs. At Growcer, our modular farms are automated to provide full environmental control. Plant growth factors such as light, nutrients, temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, and water are monitored and adjusted in real time. For more information, read the ultimate guide to hydroponics to learn more about the growing method.

What is Growcer’s return on investment (ROI)?

Growcer’s return on investment varies based on factors such as your local price of produce, the cost of electricity, the business model you adopt, and much more. Contact us to assess the best business model for your project and develop an accurate financial projection.

Are Growcer’s container farms appropriate for home growing?

Growcer’s container farms are for commercial use and are not suitable for home or hobby growing.

Can I grow cannabis in your system?

Growcer’s container farms are not designed to grow cannabis. Check out the appendix in our Everything guide to see hundreds of crop varieties of greens, herbs, and cultural crops you can grow in a Growcer container farm.

How much does your modular farm cost?

Growcer Farms start at $205,762 CAD (prices vary for international orders) plus shipping costs based on your distance from our factory in Winkler, Manitoba. When you choose Growcer, you’re choosing to partner with more than a vendor. You gain a lifetime partner in growing to help you develop a successful project and grow healthy plants.

How long does it take to get a Growcer system?

Once your order is confirmed, it takes 15 weeks to get a Growcer system installed. During those 4 months, the modular farm goes into production and you work with the Growcer team to plan your project. The farm installation and onsite training takes one week to complete. You can produce the first harvest in 4 to 6 weeks after installation.

Where is Growcer’s head office?

Our head office is in Ottawa, Ontario. We acknowledge we operate on the traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishnaabeg people.

What can Growcer’s container farms grow?

Growcer container farms can grow lettuce, leafy greens, herbs, brassicas, and some cultural crops regardless of the exterior climate.

Current customers grow varieties like Wildfire lettuce, arugula, Monte Carlo romaine, spinach, Red Russian kale, Collard greens, Asian greens like Win-Win Choi, mustard greens, mint, parsley, Thai basil, cilantro, mountain sorrel (qungulit), and more.

Check out our comprehensive guide to Growcer for a full list of crop varieties we’ve grown to date and farm specifications.

Can you grow different crops inside simultaneously?

Yes, and many of our current customers do. When growing different crops at the same time, it’s important to note that some varieties (like herbs) have different growing needs compared to sturdier plants like lettuces. Our Growcer training covers the needs of the different plants so you can optimize your planting schedules and overall production.

How long does it take for the plants to grow?

It takes 5 to 7 weeks from seed to harvest to grow lettuces and leafy greens (i.e. kales, spinaches). Herbs take between 8 to 12 weeks.

Are the crops grown in a Growcer considered organic?

In Canada, crops grown using hydroponic production systems (like Growcer’s farms) cannot be labelled or sold as certified organic. The Canadian Organic Standards do not allow hydroponic systems because organic farming practices include soil improvement and these systems do not use soil at all. While Growcer grown produce may not be able to have the certified organic label, it is still grown without synthetic pesticides.

Where do you get your seeds/fertilizers?

Our seeds are sourced from select North American seed suppliers. Growcer’s hydroponic modular farms use four main inputs to grow the plants: a growing media (rockwool), a macronutrient and micronutrient solution, and pH control product. The nutrients are sourced from different specialized hydroponic growing suppliers within Canada and the United States as well.

Have you tried growing strawberries? Tomatoes? Broccoli? Peppers?

Yes, strawberries are on the radar of our research team for the future to ensure you’re able to grow them reliably and at a volume that makes sense. Strawberries, tomatoes and peppers are all flowering crops, and although they can be grown in hydroponic systems, they require a different set up and additional considerations (e.x. pollination) to be cultivated indoors, year round.

For broccoli, we can grow broccoli microgreens (allowing broccoli to sprout, then harvest right away). The microgreens would have the flavour of broccoli and some of the nutritional benefits, but overall broccoli heads grow large and heavy which makes them not a good choice for hydroponics. The growing cycle of broccoli is also long, again, making it less suitable for hydroponics. When it comes to hydroponic growing, it’s never a question of “can we grow it,” but are hydroponics the most efficient way to grow the crop?

What is the size of a Growcer system?

A Growcer farm is 40’ (feet) long by 10’ wide by 10’ high. View the farm's spec sheet to learn more.

How many different sizes of farms do you offer?

All our modular farms are the same size physically, but we offer different options based on how much you’re planning to grow. The production levels change within each model because the number of growing shelves inside change.

Growcer Osiris: Our flagship vertical farm allowing you to grow a wide range of produce year-round regardless of the weater.

Growcer Osiris and Farm Hub: Our most popular option and combines one farm with on farm hub for extra space. It is suitable for a wide range of communities because it allows you to scale when ready.

Growcer Farmplex™: The industrial size involves combining multiple modular farms together and including a dedicated Farm Hub which give you extra space to work and store produce. It is ideal for development corporations or for supplying multiple communities.

Growcer Osiris Access: A modified version of the Osiris farm built to be ACA compliant and allows for operators who use a mobility device.

What are Growcer’s installation requirements?

Our modular farms are built to be turn-key and require minimal set up. You will need:

Space: We recommend a 4’ clearance area around the farm, so a 48’ by 18’ total clearance area is recommended. Growcer’s farms are National Building Code compliant and Growcer assists with zoning, site selection and building permits.

Water: You can connect your farm directly to a water source or have the option to fill with a garden hose or water truck. A Growcer farm requires approximately 1,900 to 2,200 litres (L) of water per month.

Power: You will require a 200A, 240-volt single phase power supply. On-site or hired electricians complete the hook-up. Backup generator add-ons are also available.

Internet: A hardwired internet connection is preferred, but other options are possible.

Storage: Once you start harvesting, you’ll need a dry and refrigerated place to store all your produce. You can source ready-to-go fridges from Growcer or work together to evaluate other options.

How is a Growcer farm with zoning and building permits?

All our farms are National Building Code compliant and Growcer assists with zoning, site selection and building permits. Building codes are locally administered and each jurisdiction has slightly different requirements depending on where you are based. Contact us to talk about your specific situation.

How much water is required?

A Growcer farm requires approximately 1,900 to 2,500 litres (L) of water per month. The farm recirculates water continuously and receives a top up of water every three weeks, so it is conservative in its water usage.

What is a typical electricity bill?

Electricity costs vary depending on your location and how the farm is powered. For example, using Ottawa’s electricity rate of $0.12, you would expect an average monthly electricity bill of $630. To have a better sense of costs based on your specific situation, reach out to us directly and we’ll help you from there.

What is monthly power consumption?

Power use is approximately 80,305 kWh annually in a four-season climate or 76,000 annually in a cold climate. To run a Growcer farm, you will require a 200A, 240-volt single phase power supply and any on-site or hired electricians can complete the hook up for you. Backup generator add-ons are also available.

Are Growcer’s container farms only for the Arctic?

Not at all! Although our operations started in the North, we expanded into the southern regions of Canada. Take a look at all our featured farmers.

Are Growcer’s farms made out of shipping containers?

No, Growcer’s farms are no longer made using shipping containers. When Growcer first started, we up-cycled shipping containers but now we custom build our farms using structural insulated panels (SIP). Using SIP allows Growcer farms to have better insulation, energy efficiency and temperature control, in addition to a longer lifespan compared to upcycled shipping containers.

Are Growcer’s container farms compatible with solar panels?

It is possible to power our farms with solar panels, but it’s a custom option that you’d have to explore the feasibility of with our team first. Growcer has some preferred solar vendors and we can help you figure out the details from there!

Are Growcer’s container farms stackable?

Growcer’s units cannot be stacked on top of each other for structural and safety reasons; however, they can be connected to each other horizontally using one of our packaging units which features a commercial-grade kitchen to ease the packaging and storing of produce.

Where are Growcer’s container farms located?

We have more than 45 farms across Canada. Our farms can be found in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Quebec, and Nunavut.

Who are Growcer’s customers?

Growcer has supported incredible communities, educational institutions, nonprofits, and farmers across North America to create numerous economic, social, and environmental benefits using our system. Take a look at our customers here.

What are the main barriers or issues for setting up these systems that you have seen for remote, northern communities?

Each community is different, but there have been some common hurdles encountered when working in remote, northern communities. For example, there are challenges in remote communities around employee turnover, the transportation of the unit, and community engagement. For Growcer, we are aware that we are only one potential tool in a toolbox that communities can use to help provide better food for their members. You can read more about how we work with northern communities here.

Does Growcer provide training?

Yes! Every step of the way, we work closely with you to ensure effective onboarding and training. During the project planning stage, we work alongside you on business feasibility planning, distribution planning, and packaging and branding development.

Growcer’s customer success team is there for ongoing support for the lifespan of the farm. They help with technical troubleshooting, plant health, yield optimization, and replenishing supplies. Understand what your first year with Growcer looks like by downloading the Training Overview Guide.

How does Growcer support customers?

Growcer helps you accomplish your growing goals through effective training, 24/7 remote system monitoring, and collaborative troubleshooting with Growcer’s farm technicians. To date, we’ve trained more than a hundred growers to grow hydroponically year-round.

What if something breaks down?

Your Growcer farm comes equipped with common replacement parts and a full one-year warranty on workmanship. A Growcer farm is built to last, but we know sometimes components can break down. If something breaks, you can call Growcer's farm support team to walk you through how to fix the issue. The farm is built to be plug-and-play and doesn’t require special technicians to fix parts.

Do I need a background in farming or hydroponics to operate a system?

No, but it is helpful to have! There is always a learning curve when it comes to learning how to grow inside a Growcer farm. Many of our current operators started with little to no experience and became comfortable growing over time. At Growcer, we provide thorough training, resources, and dedicated ongoing support so, regardless of prior experience, you can feel comfortable growing using our plug-and-play modular farm. Listen to Growcer’s first container farm operator in Churchill, Manitoba share her experience about getting started and learning how to grow.

Does Growcer supply seed options or would that be up to me to source?

Yes, Growcer offers customers a comprehensive seed catalogue that lists all the different varieties Growcer has in stock. Once you make a seed selection, Growcer ships the seeds directly to you. However, we don’t limit anyone to just our catalogue selection. If there are other varieties you’re interested in, we work with you to source them.

Do you help with the business plan?

Yes, we work with you to develop a business plan. Before reaching out to a member of our team, take a look at previous Growcer projects to gain a better understanding of your goals and what you want to accomplish.

Do you offer financing/leasing?

Yes, we have a lease-to-own model that allows you to own your Growcer farm by making smaller monthly payments. We have introduced Growcer Finance, a program that pairs prospective Growers with investment partners. Check it out here.

Can you help find grants for nonprofits?

Yes, we are able to provide support in finding relevant funding opportunities. Depending on your location, there are potentially opportunities at the federal, provincial, regional, and municipal level that would be applicable to start a Growcer project. However, it is important to note that many grants only cover a portion of the investment and an independent contribution is required.

Feel free to reach out to a Growcer team member and we will be happy to help assist and point you in the right direction on finding a grant that is the right fit for you. The funding environment is ever-changing so the more we know about your project the better we would be able to assist you.

What are the different ways I can distribute the produce I grow?

There are many different ways to distribute the produce you grow, including selling directly to community members through a subscription box, selling to your local grocery store, and supplying local businesses or restaurants. You can also partner with ongoing programs (school cafeterias, community service programs) to donate your produce. Listen to Growcer’s first farmer share her experience distributing produce.

Do I need food safety measures to be able to sell the produce?

As long as you are not altering the food, selling Growcer produce follows the same rules as any farmer would have when selling raw produce to farmers’ markets. However, Growcer trains you to follow good agricultural practices and employ best practices for sanitary measures. There is no federal inspection requirement, but it’s best to reach out to our team who are familiar with the health and food safety requirements in different jurisdictions on a more regional level.

How many hours of labour are needed?

The farm needs 30 hours of work per week to be maintained. However, anticipate that the hours will fluctuate when you are doing more labour-intensive tasks such as harvesting and deep cleaning the growing system. Depending on how you run your Growcer farm, you will also need to account for hours spent on non-growing tasks such as packaging, marketing, and community engagement.

How many people do you need to run a Growcer farm?

This is up to you! If you have one person who can dedicate up to 30 hours per week to run the Growcer farm, then you would need one person. Many Growcer customers choose to rotate between a couple people to keep their farm running and ensure there’s always a backup operator to account for sick days and vacations.

What’s the value of Growcer produce?

Growcer produce isn't just local produce, it’s hyper-local produce. When the time between harvest and consumption is reduced, your produce is fresher, retains its nutritious value, and has a longer shelf life. You also reduce the carbon footprint associated with imported produce and directly support your local economy.

Growcer greens are produced in a safe, fully controlled environment using 90% less water and no synthetic pest control products. If you’re part of a community or nonprofit, your produce also represents your social mission of supporting the local community.