What does a complete vegetable growing system consist of?

Growing gutters

The growing gutter is the foundation of the system. It is the steel profile that holds the substrate (rockwool slabs, coco peat, pots with perlite, or other growing media) and the crop.

In a typical high-wire vegetable greenhouse for tomato, pepper, cucumber or aubergine, the gutters run the full length of the greenhouse bay. They collect drain water from the substrate and return it through an integrated drain channel to the recirculation system.

We produce over 35 gutter profiles to fit different crops, substrates, and greenhouse layouts. The GM-07HD for example is widely used for hanging tomato and pepper systems. 

Gutters are made of high-grade steel and coated for long-term use. The MS-150 coating is food-safe, resistant to cleaning agents such as hydrogen peroxide, and comes with a 10-year warranty.

Drip irrigation

The irrigation system delivers water and nutrients to each plant through drippers placed in or near the substrate. In vegetable greenhouses, drip irrigation is the standard because it offers precise control over water volume and nutrient concentration at each plant position.

There are three main types of drip irrigation used in vegetable growing

1. Pre-assembled drip systems. These are factory-assembled and arrive at the greenhouse ready to roll out. The dripper lines, PE tubes, and plant pegs are connected and tested before shipment. On site, you unroll the system, cut to length, insert the plant pegs into the substrate, and connect to the supply line. This saves significant labour during installation.
2. In-line drip systems. These use tubes with integrated drippers at fixed intervals. They deliver a precise, uniform flow rate and are resistant to clogging. Options include the Hydrogol (labyrinth drippers), Hydro PC (pressure-compensated drippers), and Hydro PCND (pressure-compensated and self-closing drippers).
3. Plant pegs and spray stakes.These are the final delivery points that put water into the substrate. The Wingpeg plant peg distributes water downward on two sides for even spread. The Ray Jet spray stake sprays water over a larger substrate surface area, which is useful for larger pots or containers.

The choice between these options depends on crop type, substrate format, greenhouse scale, and the level of uniformity required.

Suspensions and supports

The growing gutters need to be held at the correct height in the greenhouse. There are two main methods: suspending (hanging) the gutters from the greenhouse structure, or supporting them from the floor.

Suspended (hanging) gutters are the standard in modern high-wire vegetable greenhouses. Each suspension consists of a trellis or tunnel attachment at the top, a steel cable, a gutter hook, and a bracket. The length is tailored to the greenhouse and the desired gutter height. Every suspension is load-tested for the full weight of the gutter including substrate, water, and mature crop with fruit.

Floor supports raise the gutter height from ground level using galvanised steel stands. These can be installed on the floor or on concrete and combined with pipe rail supports or baywide supports. Pipe rail supports have the added function of carrying the heating pipes that run through the greenhouse at floor level.

The choice between suspended and supported depends on the greenhouse structure, crop type, and whether pipe rail heating is part of the climate system.

Gable systems

At the edges of the greenhouse, the growing gutters need additional support. This is where gable systems come in.

End and side gable systems are steel frames mounted to the greenhouse column. They are height-adjustable and support the ends of the gutters. They can also carry a gable gutter plus distribution or collection pipes for the irrigation and drain water system. This keeps pipes off the floor and accessible for maintenance.

V-shaped and semi-V suspensions provide an extra support point where a gutter extends more than 75 cm beyond the first suspension. They are placed near the central aisle or on the end gable. This frees up wall space and creates a clear walkway at the greenhouse edges.

Drain trays and end caps

The final components are the drain trays and end caps that complete the gutter assembly.

Drain trays collect drain water at the ends of the gutters and channel it toward the recirculation system. They are positioned at the low point of each gutter run and need to match the gutter profile exactly to prevent leaks.

End caps close off the gutters at both ends. They are custom-made to fit the specific gutter profile and coating. Our end caps are made out of stainless steel and can be deliverd with your logo or brand name laser-cut out.

Other finishing components include gutter brackets (to connect gutters to supports or suspensions), crop hooks, stem holders and brackets, and various connectors. All of these are produced to order to match the exact gutter profile and growing configuration.