LED Lights Explained
Farmshelf relies on several technical components including LED lights to create the ultimate growing environment for your crops. Why are LED lights so integral to the inner workings of your Farmshelf? We took some time to break down the basics of LED lighting - its unique advantages, functions for plant growth, and applications beyond hydroponics.
What are LED Lights?
LED stands for Light-Emitting Diode. What’s a diode? A diode is an electrical device or component with two electrodes that supports the flow of electricity. The current travels in one direction, coming into an anode (+) and flows out of a cathode (-). An LED light is a device that emits light when an electrical current passes through.
How are LED Lights Used?
LED lighting is considered the future of light because of its efficiency, size, and longevity. The applications for LEDs are varied. They can be found in traffic signals, advertisements, planes, and grow lights. Everyday new technological innovations are finding ways to implement LED lighting because of these unique advantages.
How Plants Use Light
Light is vital to all plants because it allows for the facilitation of photosynthesis, a process that converts light, oxygen, and water into carbohydrates (a form of energy). Quality of light can impact the growth, color, nutrition, and even the taste of plants!
It's no surprise that Farmshelf has dedicated years of research and experimentation to develop the lights used in each unit.
Why Use Colored Light With Plants?
Electromagnetic radiation is a form of light energy that travels in wavelengths. The electromagnetic spectrum is a range of these wavelengths varying in size. The human eye can only detect wavelengths ranging from 400-700nm. This is known as visible light, while other portions of the spectrum have wavelengths too large or too small and energetic for human perception - but not for plants!
In most conventional indoor farming setups and operations, you will most likely see purple grow lights being used. This is because the most effective wavelengths of visible light are within the blue (425-450nm) and red (600-700nm) range. A combination of these wavelengths provide optimal light conditions for crops. Quality and wavelength of electromagnetic radiation can contribute to color, nutrition, texture, size, and even taste.
Why Use LED Light With Plants?
LED As a Sustainable Light Source
Hydroponic agriculture provides plants with a controlled growth environment, similar to a lab. Variables that impact growth and yield such as light, nutrients, and temperature are manipulated to optimize the harvest. In traditional farming, outdoor growing leaves plants susceptible to variables out of a grower’s control - such as pests, weather, and light intensity. Sunlight emits fixed wavelengths, while LED lights can be tailored to a given farm size and scale. LEDs are the most cost-effective option for indoor farming due to its low heat output and ability to change color.
Farmshelf Lights Up the World of Indoor Farming
Paving the Way to Automated Agriculture
The future of farming is here and it's using LED lighting! Customization through LED lighting, water, and nutrients control allows for endless possibilities in modern farming. With the Farmshelf app’s smart settings, the lights turn on when they need to as they need to to support your plant’s growth cycle. Can you say, “instant green thumb?”
Smart Crop Rotation is a feature that allows Farmshelf farmers to delay harvest times, slowing plant maturation. Going on vacation? No problem! Say goodbye to wilted produce in your crisper drawer and hello to Farmshelf’s revolutionary design.
Similar to biophilic design, Farmshelf has introduced not only agricultural innovation, but a new relationship between food and consumers. Now, we can have an up-close and personal view of what it takes to go from seed, crop, to plated meal. While elevating access to wholesome, nutritious foods, Farmshelf is also an education tool. It bridges the knowledge gap that has plagued our global food network since society’s shift from agrarian life. Facing a worsening climate crisis and rapidly diminishing resources, outdoor farming has become increasingly taxing on natural landscapes. Thanks to LED technology, the future of farming is indoor, controlled growing that opens endless possibilities for agricultural development. Now, food production can be adapted to the specific needs of smaller communities. Shifting from large to small scale, growing as local as your kitchen.