During the last 12 months, GrowSave has continued to inform growers and decision makers about the options open to them with respect to energy saving and efficiency practices through workshop-style events.
For those who missed these workshops, there are some important points to take away. The economic viability of supplementary lighting for UK grown soft fruit remains questionable; those considering LED setups should certainly carefully calculate expected savings and payback time. Heating, on the other hand, has many benefits: its use in climate control and extending the growing season, while potential subsidy through the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme can help offset costs. Of course, there is more to climate control than just heating, with air movement, humidity regulation and the evenness of conditions all playing a role.
In addition to updating a number of resources for Soft Fruit, GrowSave will also be publishing new material targeted at the sector. A new, standalone technical update on the adaptation of greenhouses for soft fruit production is set to be published in the coming months.
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