We run a lot of hydroponic display systems at Fifth Season Gardening Co. The inputs that are required by the plants we grow include electricity, nutrients and water, not to mention time spent maintaining the systems. What with our focus on sustainable agriculture, we decided to find a use for the abundance of, in this case, sweet basil that we grow in our 4x8' Sun Hut grow tent. Ultimately, we found a restaurant that was excited to gain access to a regular supply of fresh basil, picked only … [Read more...] about Hydroponic Basil Grow Journal Week 1
Hydroponics
Building Hydro Efficiently
Why do we choose hydroponics over soil based horticulture? In short, hydroponic systems allow greater productivity while minimizing resource inputs, all in a shorter time interval as compared to traditional gardening or farming. Given the upfront investment in the hydroponic equipment we buy to build our gardens and the expense of water and nutrients, it makes sense to try to capitalize on these strengths. At the Fifth Season Gardening Co. at Carrboro, we have devised a simple, yet elegant … [Read more...] about Building Hydro Efficiently
Et Tu, Hydroton?
*UPDATE 9/20 – Hydroton is, thankfully, still on the market! You can read on for some alternatives to Hydroton, or you can still purchase Hydroton as your preferred growing medium. The announcement, “dried-up” went through the gardening industry like a sandstorm. Hydroton, the ultimate grow media for hydroponics, will soon be extinct. The mined clay aggregate was kilned exclusively in Germany. The plants involved in the process are ceasing production. Why the outcry? What’s the big … [Read more...] about Et Tu, Hydroton?
From the Books to Grow on Page: How to Hydroponics
How-To Hydroponics by Keith Roberto How-to-books tend to be as portly as a "War and Peace" novel. Attention spans are on the decrease, yet books on difficult subjects can't shake the excess pages. Luckily, Keith Roberto's indepth guide, "How-to Hydroponics", sacrifices the fluff in favor of efficient facts. Weighing in at a mere 104 pages, "How-To Hydro", simplifies the complicated world of growing in water. Roberto not only provides layman term explanations on things like color … [Read more...] about From the Books to Grow on Page: How to Hydroponics
