#hyroponics

Yes, we forgot to blog.  But we were very busy creating Arugulagoogula World.  In the top photo, you can see Jesse constructing the hydroponics system.  We used PVC pipes as our system and shrink wrapped the ends an sealed them with hose clamps.  Surprisingly effective, we only needed to fix two leaks.  For Emma and I, the construction part was definitely a learning experience, but all three of us worked very well together to create our hydroponic system.  It hangs very well using strong string.  In fact, the string stabilizes the system so that it does not collapse.  Jesse programmed the pump to work with an Arduino powered by a battery.

We had three challenges:

• Staying under budget (less than $50)

          –Finding an inexpensive alternative to end caps and successfully shrink wrapping the ends 

• Staying beneath the weight limit (7 kg, about 15 pounds).

          –We used packing peanuts which helped us reduce the weight to 17 pounds, but we still are not meeting the constraint.  

• Growing healthy arugula (must be 3 inches by June 3)

I think there's something really rejuvenating about sinking my hands into soil, but dirt's definitely not a prerequisite for happy plants. Last weekend, I checked out a presentation by Windowfarms, a company that designs hydroponic growing systems designed to help landless urban farmers harvest produce.

Here's how it works: aspiring growers build (or buy) a contraption rigged up with recycled plastic bottles, plastic tubing, and an air pump. Water travels throughout the tubes and deposits liquid nutrient solutions to the plants, which are nestled in mesh containers surrounded by clay pellets. A pre-fab setup will run you back about $100. 

Think that hydroponics is only synonymous with pot? It's actually at the forefront of the "farm-to-fork" movement, which champions locavore eating habits. Just pluck a basil leaf from your window and wrap it in some fresh mozz. The Times published a piece about trendy soil-less methods last summer.

Windowfarms might be a great option for cramped urban dwellers, but are they better than planting in a container or a bed? Yields for small crops like herbs are pretty comparable to other growing methods, but--at best--you can coax some dinky squash and tomatoes: anything else is too heavy for the frame.