Introducing  pPods™

Grow-Shield logo

The pPod™ is the perfect enclosure for growing a wide variety of herbs and vegetables in any location, especially where plants can be damaged by wind, storms, pests, or freezing.

The pPod is a versatile growing enclosure with two flexible front sliding access panels - no swinging doors or lids. Open the top as seasonal plants get tall and to allow more sun or high temperature relief. Open the bottom to access lower plants, planters & irrigation.

The Standard pPod™ is 24 inches wide x 24 inches deep at the base x 32 inches high at the back -
large enough for 4 commercial 1020 trays.

This low-profile aerodynamic design withstands high winds and storms on balconies and roof tops and the double-wall plastic panels provide excellent insulation and diffuse sunlight to help provide a more uniform growing environment.

pPods can be assembled easily in minutes. Disassembly is just as easy, making pPods portable and easy to store. The target retail pricepoint for a single Standard pPod is $180.

Grow-Shield sheets

Attach multiple pPods side-by side with no walls between each pPod segment to economically create larger Expanded pPod enclosures. pPods can also be attached back-to-back to double the size of a single pPod enclosure. This configuration is very stable in potentially windy locations such as rooftops and is highly recommended for Alta pPods located away from a wall.

By adding expander units, there is no limit to the number of pods that can be added on to a row of Expanded pPods.

As well as allowing more plants to be grown in a pPod environment, expanding pPods provides more room for larger plants to spread out. The greater volume also helps to keep all the enclosed plants warmer during cold weather.

Grow-Shield field app

Also in development is the Alta pPod - a 60 inch high pPod with a larger base designed to accommodate larger plants such as tomatoes, dill, and cannabis.

pPods will soon be available with an optional heated irrigation system for year-round growing and as a foundation for hydroponic systems. The irrigation system circulates water at 78 degrees F through the tray beneath the plants for even temperature control and comes with a diversion valve that switches the circulating water to a drip watering system for greater irrigation control and convenience. This system is designed to keep a fully exposed Standard pPod from freezing with outdoor temperatures as low as 0 degrees F.

Grow light options will also be available, including top mounted high intensity lights and mounting along the curved frame for side lighting.

An automatic front panel positioner is being developed to make sure pPod segments are properly vented in hot weather and closed when temperatures drop.

Grow-Shield field app

pPod™ Applications

The original vision for the pPod was to see it used on every balcony and rooftop in New York City, as well as every other urban area in the U.S. But as we began getting feedback, doing demos and talking to folks around the country, it was obvious that a tremendous demand existed for micro-farming and in the suburbs. The list of potential applications continues to grow. Here are just a few:

  • Home growing of all types of plants on balconies, terraces, decks, and rooftops
  • Micro-farming, urban agriculture, and community gardening
  • Starter and early spring plant protection for home gardening and commercial growing
  • On-site herbs, greens, and vegetables for restaurants, markets, hospitals
  • Schools: ecology, biology, gardening & healthful food projects
  • Hydroponics and other CEA applications

More information on pPod applications can be found in the pPod FAQ Sheet.

pPod™ Development Status

Ponix MicroAg is in its final stage toward commercialization. toward that goal, the following key milestones have been reached to date:

  • Initial prototyping and testing is complete.
    • 8 separate prototype designs
    • 12 design iterations total
    • consistent performance over 8 years
    • stable in extreme weather, including exposure to a tropical storm
  • US Patent No. 10,285,337 granted for
    Compact Plant Enclosure
  • Demo units at NYC and Atlanta residences;
    and WeWork/WeLive Wall St.
  • Preliminary manufacturing CAD models complete for simple Standard pPod and
    pPod Expanders
  • In the process of working with parts suppliers