CAN: Building an energy-efficient growing strategy

Grownetics

10 Jun 2026 — 1 min read

CAN: Building an energy-efficient growing strategy Canadian greenhouse growers are invited to attend the Growers Summer School 2026, an inspirational and practical event designed to help growers manage the challenges of rising energy costs and rapid advancements in greenhouse technology. Taking place July 28–30, 2026, in Leamington, Ontario, the summer school will equip attendees with the tools and knowledge to strategically plan crops around energy pricing, optimize light and energy management, and improve the effectiveness of existing installations.

Participants will also learn how to analyze data and sensor inputs for informed decision-making, and how to implement operational changes while maintaining high yields and quality. © Peter Klapwijk The program has been made possible through a collaboration with the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers, reflecting the industry's commitment to knowledge-sharing as a driver of sustainable growth and continued leadership in the sector.

The Growers Summer School 2026 promises to be an engaging and high-value experience, with the goal of helping each participant build their own actionable plan and develop new insights.

Why this matters: For operators, this is a water-management story. The useful signal is that direct substrate measurements can help cut drain loss materially without giving up yield or fruit quality, which is exactly the kind of controllable efficiency gain a facility can build on.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does substrate sensing matter in free-drain strawberry systems?

Because drain percentage tells a grower what already happened, while substrate moisture and EC data show root-zone conditions directly. That makes it easier to cut water loss without guessing.

What is the operator takeaway from this trial?

If the thresholds are understood well enough, growers can reduce drain water materially while protecting yield and fruit quality, which makes sensing an operational tool instead of a reporting tool.

"We hope to be able to streamline operations, grow profits and improve our sustainability"

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Optimizing CEA with environmental monitoring data

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Getting the most out of drainage management in substrate cultivation

Source: HD.com When grow bags are placed directly on the ground, or in makeshift setups, each irrigation leaves part of the management process uncontrolled: drainage is lost, moisture accumulates, walkways become dirtier, recirculation capacity is reduced, and the system becomes less suited to precise operation. Second, a poorly drained

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