Crops
Guidance per crop
Starting points we use in a first conversation. Every nursery is different, so treat these as questions to discuss, not as fixed answers.
Tomato
High-wire crops put a steady load on the truss for most of the year. Plan the suspension spacing with the builder, and keep the floor clear for pipe-rail trolleys.
| Usual system | Hanging gutter HG-40 |
|---|---|
| Row pitch | 1.6 m |
| Substrate | Stone wool |
Points of attention
- Gutter slope towards a central drain end shortens drain lines.
- A white inner face keeps the gutter cooler under the slab.
- Plan renovation in the short window after clearing the crop.
Cucumber
Several plantings a year mean the gutter is cleaned and refilled often. Smooth joints and easy access matter more than anything else.
| Usual system | Hanging gutter HG-40 |
|---|---|
| Row pitch | 1.6 m |
| Substrate | Stone wool |
Points of attention
- Sealed couplers avoid dirt traps between plantings.
- Consider the drain buffer for peak summer days.
- Umbrella systems may use a different height: discuss in the consultation.
Sweet pepper
A long season with a heavy, slowly growing crop. Stable slab position and an even slope over the full row length keep water distribution consistent.
| Usual system | Hanging gutter HG-40 |
|---|---|
| Row pitch | 1.6 m (double row) |
| Substrate | Stone wool |
Points of attention
- Double rows per gutter: check slab width.
- Wide-span houses (12.8 m) fit eight rows at 1.6 m.
- Plan heating pipe positions together with the gutter height.
Strawberry
Table-top growing at picking height. Standing gutters suit plastic houses; hanging HG-25 gutters keep the floor clear where the structure allows it.
| Usual system | Standing SG-30 or hanging HG-25 |
|---|---|
| Row pitch | 0.8 m |
| Substrate | Coir |
Points of attention
- Picking height is set once: agree it with your team.
- Coir slabs or pots; check drainage per position.
- Moving gutters are an option when automation comes first.
Ornamentals
Cut flowers grow on fixed gutters for several years. Pot plants benefit from moving gutters that widen spacing as plants grow and bring them to the work station.
| Usual system | SG-30 (cut flowers) or MG-20 (pot plants) |
|---|---|
| Row pitch | 0.8 m fixed / 0.25–0.6 m moving |
| Substrate | Coir or peat-based mix |
Points of attention
- Moving gutters need a work station and rails in the plan.
- Spacing changes during the crop: plan for the widest stage.
- Drain water per section helps manage different cultivars.
