How to Grow Food in Skyscrapers

Attach a power source to the top of the building. You can use a solar system that rotates with the sun and powers the cooling system in the building. Alternatively, you can use a wind spire, a power yielding machine that works like a windmill but uses little blades to work in a smaller space.

Build a circular farm space with modular floors to give the crops maximum light. Coat the windows with titanium oxide to minimize pollutants. Make a control room that contains the computer equipment that will regulate the system, including the cooling and irrigation systems.

Plant crops on each floor of the skyscraper, either in traditional soil or with hydroponics that allows plants to be grown in nutrient-rich water. Hydroponics can increase the yield by up to 30 times but is not effective with some plants, such as citrus trees. Maximize crops by building platforms so that multiple layers can be planted, and include hanging crops, such as tomatoes.

Provide water and nutrients to the crops if they are not in a hydroponics-based system. An automatic irrigation system can provide pre-determined amounts of water, and water should be filtered and recycled to the extent possible.

Monitor the crops. Use the latest computer-based systems to detect ripe fruits, such as a Reflectometer that evaluates color. Although pests and disease are much less likely than with traditional farming, constantly monitor the plants for such problems, and take action as necessary.

Collect the crops with either a computerized system or by human labor. A computerized system could include robots that pick fruit or machines that process entire plants to separate the edible and waste portions. The food can be used fresh or immediately stored in jars or cans or frozen for future consumption. Package the crops to prepare for travel, as applicable.

Garner as much additional value from the farming as possible. A pellet power system can transform waste from plants into fuel pellets that burn cleanly as steam power. Collect and bottle evaporated water.