In the commitment to sustainability and local food production, shipping container greenhouse is on the rise. These repurposed containers serve as controlled environments for growing organic produce, herbs, and flowers year-round.
Whether it’s cultivating fresh vegetables or hosting gardening workshops at the Downtown Urban Farm, container greenhouses offer innovative solutions for urban agriculture. Residents benefit from access to fresh, locally grown produce, while the city reduces its carbon footprint.
Tradecorp supports the growth of container greenhouses and urban farming by providing shipping containers for sale, contributing to efforts toward a greener and more sustainable future.
This is the step-by-step procedure to turn a shipping container into a greenhouse!
Contents
How to Make a Sunlight-Based Shipping Container Greenhouse
Select & Inspect Your Shipping Container
Before buying a container, you have to know the size, type, condition, and intended use first. Then, conduct online and offline research to find a reputable container seller.
Tradecorp is a trusted provider of new and used container sales, purchase, rental, and modification services. With years of experience, Tradecorp has met a variety of client needs, including your shipping container greenhouse.
The suitable shipping container sizes for a greenhouse are 20’ or 40’. After you have the right container, inspect it for rust, dents, or chemical contamination. Then, clean and treat the interior for mold and pests.
Plan Your Greenhouse Layout
While planning your greenhouse layout and drawing a basic floor plan, decide on:
- The type of growing system (hydroponic, soil, vertical)
- Light source (natural or artificial)
- Insulation and ventilation needs
- Where doors, windows, vents, and electrical lines will go
Modify the Structure
You can start modifying the shipping container’s structure by cutting off one side or its roof. Then, frame a greenhouse structure using metal or PVC above it and cover it with polycarbonate sheets or UV-stable greenhouse film.
Electrical & Climate Control Setup
Electrical & climate control setup that a shipping container greenhouse needs are:
- LED grow lights (full-spectrum for indoor systems)
- Power outlets and switches
- Ventilation fans
- Thermometers, hygrometers, and timers
- Solar panels for off-grid power
Install the Growing System
Before installing the growing system, you need to choose one that suits your needs. If you choose hydroponics, install nutrient tanks, pumps, and PVC piping or NFT channels. Then, use vertical towers or shelf systems for space efficiency.
Meanwhile, if you choose soil beds, add raised beds or grow bags with good drainage. Then, use organic compost and soil amendments.
Irrigation & Water Management
Set up drip irrigation or recirculating hydroponic systems. Irrigation and water management for a shipping container greenhouse include a water tank/reservoir, timers, pH/EC monitoring, and a drainage system.
Monitoring & Automation
To monitor the shipping container greenhouse, you can add temperature, humidity, light, pH, and EC sensors. You can also use a microcontroller or smart system (e.g., Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or commercial kit) to automate lighting and watering.
Ventilation & Airflow
To have ventilation and airflow inside your shipping container greenhouse, install intake, exhaust fans, passive vents, and circulating fans.
Test and Start Growing!
After all the greenhouse preparation is finished, test all systems, including lighting, irrigation, and ventilation. Then, monitor the climate for 24–48 hours before planting, and begin growing herbs, greens, microgreens, or your chosen crops.
Conclusion
A shipping container greenhouse is a climate-controlled growing facility built inside or on top of a standard steel shipping container (usually 20ft or 40ft long).
To build a shipping container shed, buy used shipping containers from Tradecorp! With years of experience, Tradecorp is a reliable provider of sales, purchase, rental, and modification services.
Tradecorp also provides various types of containers, with a variety of sizes of 20’ or 40’ for cargo shipping, refrigerated, to modular containers. Consult your modification needs according to your wishes and get the best container sales and rental price offers from Tradecorp by filling out this quote form!