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7/29/11 2:23 P

I have limited knowledge of hydroponics but because the produce is grown in a greenhouse, the vegies are supposed to e subject to no or fewer insecticide, both from the grower and passively in the air and ground.

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7/28/11 8:42 P

I copied below the info from the website of the farm I was thinking of getting produce from. Unfortunately, when I called them, I was told they no longer grow vegetables because there wasn't enough of a market for them in our area



The simplest definition of hydroponics is “ growing without soil and with a complete balanced liquid feed system”.

What makes hydroponics different than regular gardening? Hydroponics uses no soil and plants are grown in a substitute growing media. Why would we want to replace the soil? Soil is very inconsistent and most often does not have a balanced nutrient composition. In soil you have to constantly remove weeds, spray more for insects, and use herbicides for soil borne diseases. With hydroponics plants are fed a balanced diet in a safe way that is good for the environment.

What if you could have a farm where there are no weeds, no herbicides required, no soil and soil borne diseases, less insects, less pesticides and uses 85-90% less water than a normal soil farm and can be harvested standing up. It’s true; At Mosiers Family Farm we use the practical and economical outdoor Hydroponic growing system using vertical towers. This method increases field crop production by up to 6 times and reduces water consumption by 85% or more. Why will vertical growing become more important in the future? It is a simple matter of economics and the desire to eat clean fresh tasty food grown locally, in a way that is good for the environment. Mosiers Family farm is utilizing less land, less water, less energy, less pesticides and no herbicides per plant than by any other farming method. Preserving the land and supporting sustainable agriculture is essential for the future. Epcots “ The Land” has been demonstrating this system for over ten years, NASA recommends it for student agriculture programs and many universities are using it for various crops.

Without Small farms the future is bleak for many families in rural areas. Without small farms prices of produce will rise and quality will decrease. Without small farms imports will increase. Growing it fast and shipping it farther has become a standard. Quality of nutrition has suffered and will continue to suffer unless we change our practices.

Spinach is one of the healthiest foods, yet fresh, clean spinach is really hard to come by. There is no substitute for fresh lettuce, spinach and other greens. Vine-ripened tomato means ready to eat, not ready in 3-5 days. In order for a tomato to taste good, be red inside and contain all the vitamins and enzymes it must be allowed to ripen naturally. This means on the vine with good nutrition and plant cover.

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7/28/11 8:30 P

i am at a lose at how hydroponic food can be organic? i guess if the nutrients added to the water they are grown in are organic i guess that would make organic harvests......i thought that hydroponics had been lost during the last 40 yrs etc.

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7/28/11 5:38 P

I'm at a disadvantage. I haven't heard of Hydroponics, but it sounds interesting. Can you tell me about it?

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7/28/11 9:10 A

I'm trying to find a good source of fruits and veggies and found a farm that advertised organic hydroponic veggies. Any thoughts on hydroponic pros and cons, particularly in regards to nutrient content?

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