Cleaning

After harvesting, use this as an opportunity to perform routine maintenance on your vertical farm. This includes:

• Cleaning all hardware in contact with the plants including systems, tools and work surfaces.

• Refilling nutrients and all necessary additives to maintain water parameters.

• Organizing and taking inventory of product packaging

• Adjusting lighting and pump timers as needed.

Cleaning is imperative between one cycle of plants to another. There are two recommended methods to address when discussing this topic.

Please review both because Method #1 & 2 are imperative to the successful growing of healthy crops that are safe for consumption.

Method #1: for cleaning of plant material and non-contaminated surfaces.

Step 1: Physically remove plant material from surfaces of objects by using dish soap and water. We also recommend using a scrubber too!

• This process does not necessarily kill harmful microbes.

• Pressure washers also work great here.

Step 2: Rinse using clean water and a cloth to remove all soap and cleaning agents from farming hardware.

Method #2: for cleaning of plant material and contaminated surfaces.

This includes if you suspect mold, mildew, bacteria and/or any other possible harmful microbe that could effect the health of another person.

It is highly recommended you implement a 3 stage cleaning process which involves cleaning, disinfecting and rinsing all parts involved in growing. This includes but is not limited to: seed trays, reservoir trays, humidity domes and all the parts of your Ponix system. Step 1: Clean to remove plant material from surfaces of objects using dish soap and water. Using a scrubber is also recommended to help physically remove debris.

• This process does not necessarily kill harmful microbes.

Step 2: The process of disinfecting and sanitizing uses chemicals to kill germs on surfaces or objects. This step eliminates the number of contaminants to a safe level as established by public health standards and food handling requirements to lower the risk of contamination and infection.

• Bleach, ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, Sanidate, Oxidate, etc. are great options.

Step 3: Rinse using clean water and a cloth to remove all soap and cleaning agents from farming hardware.

Additional tips for cleaning and closing out your harvest:

• Dispose of any plant material (i.e. peat moss plugs) that is not suitable for consumption or further growth- we love to compost it into our worm bin!

• Journal your successes and growth opportunities you experienced during each cycle. It is important to do this as you go so you can track successes & failures with mindfulness of the experience.

• Check in with your support at Ponix with any questions or comments, we are here to grow with you!