Introduction
Harley Greens is a multi zone facility with over 5,000-square-feet of vertical farm based in Harley, Ontario. The farm is currently runs multiple grow rooms with a lean four-person team. Harley Greens grows hydroponically using a shallow water culture system, with a focus on lettuce varieties and basil for local distribution. From day one, the team prioritized an efficient, reliable way to manage their growing environment.
Challenge
With multiple environmental variables to monitor, including temperature, humidity, CO2, lighting, and water, the Harley Greens team needed a unified, data-driven system. The farm required a platform that could deliver real-time control, simplify day-to-day operations, and remain cost-effective for a young facility preparing to scale. Microclimates recommended by Gold Leaf Technologies, aligned well with Harley Greens’ operational goals.
Solution
Harley Greens implemented the Microclimates platform as the central control system for its grow environment. All major infrastructure (HVAC, dehumidification, CO2, lighting, and water management) is now integrated through a single dashboard. The onboarding process was smooth and very compatible with the farm’s facility design and configuration. On-site commissioning helped address small issues quickly and provided additional support for fine-tuning automation and sensor controls.
“Onboarding was a smooth process, and a fluid continuation of earlier conversations regarding facility and equipment configuration.”
— John Hattingh, Farm Manager
The Microclimates platform supports the Harley Greens team with:
● Custom automations for key systems like water tanks and pumps
● Real-time alerts and remote access for rapid response and peace of mind
● Visual insights and historical data to guide environmental decisions and consistency
“Built-in custom automations, high/low level alarms, and graphical insights help us assess and adjust room conditions as needed.” — John Hattingh
The system is used daily by the farm manager and head grower in training to track trends, monitor alerts, and optimize performance.
Results
The Harley Greens team has gained confidence knowing their systems are running as intended, and that any issues will trigger automatic alerts. With granular sensor data throughout the grow room, they’ve been able to make informed adjustments to achieve more uniform VPD and conditions across zones.
“Reviewing climate sensor data from individual sensors throughout the grow room allowed us to adjust conditions so that, on average, variables such as VPD are maintained in the desirable range throughout the entire grow room.” — John Hattingh
Even during early-stage production and ongoing crop trials, the team has relied on Microclimates to fine-tune growing strategies and environmental settings. The platform delivers strong value with a flexible, intuitive interface that meets their operational needs.
Working Relationship
Microclimates has remained hands-on and responsive throughout the installation & maintenance process. The team provided guidance on system setup, handled customization needs promptly, and made themselves available for support even during off-hours.
"Any custom automations we've needed, even when they required a few additional steps, have been executed to our satisfaction. On one or two occasions when I had to return to the farm late at night (i.e., 1 a.m. local), Loren was still available to assist me.” — John Hattingh
Why It Matters?
By integrating climate, lighting, irrigation, and fertigation into one automated system, Microclimates has enabled Harley Greens to reduce labor demands, cut operational costs, and mitigate risks. With continuous data collection and analysis, the team is not only maintaining consistent crop quality but also driving improvements in yield and resource efficiency over time — ensuring that Harley Greens can scale confidently with a lean team while conserving valuable resources.
Looking Ahead
As Harley Greens expands into its second and third grow rooms, Microclimates will continue to be a key partner. The platform’s flexibility, ability to integrate with diverse equipment, and responsive support model make it well suited for a growing operation with evolving needs.
“Microclimates offers flexibility in terms of equipment options that they can integrate control of, can deliver on any required automations, and is competitively priced.” — John Hattingh
About Microclimates
Microclimates is a unified control and automation platform built for growers. With seamless integration, remote access, and real-time visibility, Microclimates empowers indoor farms to optimize their environments and streamline operations — from single-zone setups to full-scale commercial greenhouses
Contact us at: support@microclimates.com