The demand for fresh strawberries in North America is huge. In Canada alone, more than 145,046 metric tons of the fruit were imported in 2023—mostly from the U.S. or Mexico. These imported berries, however, are often criticized for lacking flavor and nutritional value.
Through their use of cutting-edge technology and sustainable practices groHERE, an Edmonton, Alberta-based company, is transforming the way strawberries are grown. In their fully climate-controlled facility, groHERE can produce fresh, flavorful strawberries year-round—no small feat in a place where the average winter temperature ranges between -5°C (-23°F) and -15°C (-59°F) as the daytime high. Their mission is simple: to grow as many high-quality strawberries as they can, as close as they can to the people who love them.
groHERE was established in 2020. They were initially operating out of a converted horse-riding arena which, despite being retrofitted specifically for CEA, presented a lot of issues with climate control. So, in 2022 they moved into their current 36,000 ft2 state-of-the-art facility which they took over from a licensed cannabis cultivator that ceased operations.
Moving into a purpose-built CEA facility that closely aligned with their own requirements, saved groHERE a significant amount of time and resources and accelerated their operations. As is the case with cannabis, strawberry cultivation requires stringent control over temperature, humidity, and light cycles. So, one of the key advantages of this existing facility was the advanced climate control system which required only some minor adjustments. Additionally, the facility's modular design and high degree of automation, facilitated experimentation during groHERE's R&D phase—allowing them to trial different strawberry varieties and to dial in on the optimal environment needed to produce consistent fruit yield and quality.
Despite these advantages, transitioning from cannabis to strawberry cultivation presented significant challenges due to differences in the crops' ideal growing conditions. For instance, cannabis thrives in warmer environments with high light intensity and specific light cycles, whereas everbearing strawberries require cooler conditions and longer light durations throughout the day for sustained growth. To accommodate these needs, groHERE adjusted the cooling systems and climate controls to maintain nighttime temperatures of 12°C (53.6°F), compared to the 15–16°C (59-60.8°F), required for cannabis.
Another essential modification was the addition of a walk-in cooler designed for strawberry storage at 0°C (32°F), to preserve the harvested fruit. Additionally, they revamped the fertigation system to support a single-salt nutrient mix tailored for strawberries, which was not utilized by the facility's previous occupants.
Some of the new equipment groHERE installed, included custom-engineered grow towers, LED grow lighting, an innovative pollination system, and optimized harvesting processes.
Strawberry plants have varying Daily Light Integral (DLI) requirements depending on their growth stage—making precise light management critical to their health and productivity. To address this, groHERE implemented advanced lighting strategies in their grow rooms. Their lighting layout features fixtures installed at two levels, rather than solely above each tray, which ensured a more cost-effective approach—while providing the same level of DLI to the plants.
They opted for P.L. Light Systems' TriPlane Linear LED lighting system (RWMB spectrum), which offered several key advantages. The low heat output of these fixtures allowed for the grow towers to be placed closer together, without risking damage to plants—even those within 3 feet of the lights. Additionally, the cooler running temperature reduces heat production in the grow room, leading to lower energy requirements for dehumidification and overall better resource utilization.
The ability to dim all fixtures simultaneously, rather than turning off alternating fixtures as with traditional HPS systems, provides unparalleled control over light intensity. This feature allows groHERE to adjust DLI precisely to meet the needs of the strawberry plants at every growth stage—ensuring optimal conditions for their development. Such precision is essential for maintaining peak plant health and maximizing the productivity and longevity of everbearing strawberry varieties.
"We partnered with P.L. Light Systems because they check all the boxes for our needs. Their innovative product line is perfectly suited to our vertical farming design, allowing us to stay at the forefront of the industry. They also offer cost-competitive solutions and reliable 208V compatibility, which are critical to our operations." commented Shlok Srivastava, Director-Operations at groHERE. "What truly sets them apart is their exceptional customer service and the strong relationship we've built over the years. Their consistent support and commitment to our success made this partnership an easy choice."
Very aware that it can be a real challenge to balance the operational costs associated with a CEA facility with the market value of the crops produced, the team at groHERE put a lot of thought and planning into approaching operational efficiencies to ensure the long-term profitability of the business.
"In Controlled Environment Agriculture, managing overhead costs—particularly utilities is critical to achieving long-term profitability. Prioritize energy efficiency from the outset." advises James Eastwood, Director of Plants and Facilities. "If you're planning to adopt vertical farming to maximize plant volume, carefully evaluate your system choices through the lenses of operational efficiency and practicality. Key considerations should include the ease of harvesting, the effectiveness of pest management strategies, and the simplicity of crop maintenance. Thoughtful planning in these areas can significantly enhance your productivity while keeping costs under control."
Shlok Srivastava offers these words of advice to others who might be considering the indoor cultivation of crops not typically grown indoors, "One of the most valuable skills you can develop is strong critical thinking. You'll receive a wealth of advice and ideas, often from well-meaning sources, but not all of it will suit your specific operation or goals. By approaching each suggestion with a discerning mindset, you can identify the insights that truly add value to your business. This proactive, thoughtful approach allows you to confidently shape your strategy, leveraging only the advice that aligns with your unique vision."
1Source: Statistics Canada. (CATSnet, March 2024)
For more information:
groHERE
https://grohere.com/
P.L. Light Systems 
905.563.4133
[email protected]
www.pllight.com