The rise in container plant agriculture – growing plants in shipping containers – is one of several uses on the rise, including non-plant agricultures like fish or even insects.
Surprisingly, retired shipping containers offer a small, completely manageable environment to develop an ecosystem beneficial for plant growth. So, if you’re struggling for gardening space, a container could be the perfect solution.
But how do people cultivate small ecosystems, or gardens, in shipping containers?
Let’s find out…
Can you grow plants in a shipping container? The basics of Controlled Environment Agriculture
Using Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), gardeners can grow plants and cultivate gardens that are technically indoors, inside 40ft shipping containers. Using technology and climate control, CEA gives plants the optimal conditions they need to grow, develop and multiply – creating a lush, healthy garden.
Traditionally used by farmers and agriculturalists, CEA removes many of the risks that keep the green-fingered up at night. Worrying factors can all be controlled, both using technology and by growing within a controlled environment such as a 40ft shipping container.
CEA controls:
- Temperatures
- Humidity
- CO2
- Light
- Nutrients
- Water
By controlling these things using specialist technology, farmers and food producers can help their plants to thrive – producing crops in much better condition than those grown outside.
Increasingly, the principles of CEA are also being used by at-home gardeners to cultivate charming gardens – or an impressive veggie patch!
Benefits of shipping container gardening
While it is definitely a departure from tradition, there can be real benefits to shipping container gardening, both for the gardener and your chosen plants.
These benefits can be separated into two key areas: the container’s and CEA’s benefits.
The benefits of container gardening
Shipping containers are ideally designed for garden spaces because they can allow users to craft a garden in a relatively small space if they do not have access to a formal garden of their own.
As some shipping containers can fit in a standard parking space, homeowners can completely reutilise underused private parking spaces, creating their very own green oasis without the need for complicated paperwork.
Ideal for those living in heavily urbanised or city locations, 40ft shipping container gardens give homeowners access to green space without travelling.
As well as giving people the chance to grow plants, shipping container gardens also provide extra entertaining space, as they can easily accommodate small dining or seating areas, allowing you to spend time outside no matter the weather.
Moreover, these garden spaces are also extremely secure, meaning that you can leave all of your garden essentials safe within the container, confident they will still be there when you return!
The benefits of growing using CEA principles
By carefully managing and controlling the growing conditions of your plants, you can ensure that your chosen plants grow well and create the picturesque garden oasis you’ve been dreaming of.
Gone are the days of binning dead flowers and plants that you’ve just purchased – using CEA ensures you have given the plant everything it could need, helping it to bloom and thrive.
Using CEA principles also takes a lot of the guesswork out of the situation, which can put off fresh-faced gardeners- making gardening more enjoyable and more accessible.
What plants are best for shipping container gardens?
CEA is a rapidly growing industry used to grow fresh produce worldwide. But what could you grow in your shipping container garden?
CEA experts have found that the following plants grow exceptionally well using controlled growing methods:
- Edible flowers
- Herbs
- Micro-salads
- Leafy greens
- Cropping fruits such as peppers and tomatoes
Similarly, if you are not interested in growing edible produce, don’t feel disheartened, most plants will grow if you get their conditions right. Common garden plants grown across the UK, include:
- Non-edible flowers, including but not limited to, roses, sunflowers, peonies, and lavender
- Shrubbery
- Decorative grasses
- Lawn grass – perfect for lounging on!
No matter what you are eager to grow, you are sure to find a 40-foot shipping container for sale that is perfect for your garden project and plenty of help online.
Start shipping container gardening with Gap Containers today
If you’re chomping at the bit to get growing, find a selection of used 40-foot shipping containers for sale perfect for your garden project.
We offer a variety of sizes, from 10- 40ft shipping containers and accessories including internal racking, padlocks and more.
For more information about our 40ft shipping container price, you can give us a call on 0870 240 9405 to speak to a member of the team or send an email, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
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