>>12287579The problem is that you are constantly having to also ship in nutrients. As another anon already pointed out, this is good for lettuce, but getting consistent, adequate nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, etc. for growing large fruiting plants like squash or tomatoes would require insane amounts of inputs that have to be shipped on the regular. Whereas on a proper outdoor setting, you can compost, mulch (especially if you are growing in a forested area), and graze with animals to easily replace any nutrient deficiencies without any shipping costs.
This isn't to mention that the nutrient availability for plants in soil with proper bacteria, fungi, and animal presence is a much better place for the uptake of nutrients. Phosphorus for one is immobile as fuck, and larger plants need extended rhizospheres to not just pick that shit up but to also use certain enzymes to break the typical strong bonds that lock it up. Certain plants (namely, fruits and herbs) also benefit strongly from Nitrogen in the form of ammonium rather than nitrates, which can't be done without soil.
At least in the US most places aren't a fucking desert like California, so water is not an issue. If transportation is such an issue, buy local. There is no reason why vertical farming is inherently more local than any other operation unless you live in a city, which no one with any sense would do.
