New Ways to Garden .. Hydroponics, Aquaponics, Areoponics

I have this friend that is interested in … wait for it …. aquaponics and I must admit I was curious. So, several weeks ago I had to go find out for myself what this new way of gardening was all about. Would it, could it be something I might try myself? I’m always looking for new things to get into (smile), just ask those who know me well. I love experimenting.

What did I find out, you ask somewhat skeptically? Well, let me tell you …. way too much to share in our short blog space but I will give you a brief introduction. All three methods involve growing plants in a different medium than traditional methods of soil … WATER. No soil you say. Yes, absolutely none … well maybe just a tiny bit in some cases. So let’s begin our odyssey down the new garden path …

Hydroponics uses water to transport nutrients to the plants. Root systems can sit directly in the water, a sandy base, coconut husks, perlite, peat moss, or even gravel that the nutrient rich water travels through. You will need to provide some sort of fertilizer dissolved into the water. Hydroponics is considered to be economical as it uses less water, less fertilizer and pesticides. Most of the food obtained in this manner is organic. Hydroponics also requires less space than a traditional garden as you can grow vertical. However, any water based disease would travel quickly through all the plants.

Aeroponics also uses water but in a mist form so that the environment is VERY moist in a closed environment. Nutrient rich water is sprayed on the exposed roots. This method saves a lot of water and as it is a closed environment, pests and diseases are easily controlled. Again, you would need to provide the nutrients by adding them to the water and these systems require constant attention to the pH (Susan Patterson, www.doityourself.com/stry/aeroponics-vs-hydroponics#b, accessed 10/11/14). I found it interesting that this is one system that NASA uses (interesting article at www.nasa.gov/offices/ipp/centers/kennedy/success_stories/Inflatable_Aeroponic_System_BBlinds_prt.htm).

Aquaponics also uses water to provide nutrients with the added benefit of breeding fish. The fish provide the nutrients for the plants (natural fertilizer) and the plants clean and oxygenate the water for the fish. This requires more time to establish than a hydroponics system. However, the goal here is to provide a state of balance in the ecosystem. Once established though, this system takes care of itself. In fact, it is believed that these systems get better and better the longer they operate. Think about it, fish as well as vegetables can be harvested for your family.

It is possible to grow plants using these methods because they only need water, nutrients, and sun to survive. Soil is the way nature delivers water and nutrients to the plants and is a very good method for the most part. But if you are limited on space, no land, don’t have a patio, and limited funds, you might be able to put together a small hydroponic system in a sunny window. Proponents offer that these technologies provide an opportunity to maximize plant growth and food production so that you get the freshest foods possible. Why? Because you can grow them in your home and the food is alive and freshly harvested as you need it.

I would think, of these three, hydroponics is the easiest to start at home. I for one am not into “harvesting” fish so I think the aquaponics is out for me. Aeroponics is out too … not sure I could do the isolated system but I might want to try a small hydroponic system for herbs. However, I’m finding that this might not be as easy as it seems. Now, I muse, how would I go about doing this? Could I possibly do this at home? Oh yes, I feel an experiment coming on … a science project for my son perhaps with the added benefits of some lettuce or herbs?

Off to the wild world of the internet and it didn’t take me long to find a hydroponics science project (hey, that’s what this is at this point). We (me, myself and I as my son wasn’t too keen on the idea) took some 2 liter soda bottles, cut the top 2/3 off. We then filled up the bottom with some water and Miracle Grow solution. Then we punched a few holes in the neck of the bottle (my husband’s punch worked great … ssshhhh), turned the top upside down, added some pearlite mix, put the top down into the bottom, planted some lettuce seeds, gently poured some water on top, added some sunlight, time and water always in the bottom. Voila, in just a few days I had leaves, then I had more … yes I had some lettuce!

I know it’s not truly hydroponics, but a worthy experiment none the less, and it was easy to do. Much cheaper than buying PVC pipes, tubing, and water pump for trying it out. I do need to figure out how to do this … larger scale. Now where’s that punch?

Till next time. Shelia