Recoil Offgrid – August-September 2019

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ISSUE 32

OFFGRIDWEB.COM

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the people, it can be a viable option. Furthermore, employ-

ing both conventional and hydroponic growing can make

a lot of sense, with your corn, beans, and potatoes in the

earth, but bok choy and celery in Kratky buckets beside the

garage, where you can watch them develop beyond the

groundhogs’ comfort zones.

If this is a method that captures your imagination, you

can start on the most basic level now to add some variety

to your gardening. By next season, who knows? Perhaps a

full-blown nutrient film technique system will become part of

your daydreams.

Lettuce in

an NFT system.

HYDROPONICS

BASICS

What About Aquaponics?

The concept behind aquaponics is that edible tilapia (or

other fish species) are grown in large tanks, and their waste

water is cycled through the hydroponic vegetables. The

nutrient film technique is often used in these systems. In

theory, the fish waste supplies the nutrient needs of the

plants, while the plants themselves filter the water before it’s

recirculated back into the fish tanks. The reality is that both

plants and fish will require closer monitoring than in stand-

alone aquaculture or hydroponic systems. Root diseases can

be exacerbated due to an overabundance of organic matter

in the water, and plants don’t actually “clean” out all elements

that can harm the fish.

However, people have merged the two systems, and

enterprising homesteaders who want a challenge may con-

sider taking on an aquaponics project as a means to provide

both vegetables and protein. Just keep in mind that a lot

more management (and patience) will be needed.

Conclusion

Hydroponic growing isn’t for everyone. It can be tricky

to master the chemistry of nutrition and the nuances of

plumbing for plants. But for those with poor soil, or who

live in places where the deer and rabbits eat better than

Phillip Meeks is an agriculture and natural

resources educator originally from Tennessee, but

now based in the mountains of Southwest Virginia.

He likes to spend his weekends hiking, gardening,

beekeeping, fishing, and mushroom hunting.

About

the Author

Aquaponics is

an interesting

concept, but

one that can be

very challeng-

ing to master.

Tomato seed-

ings begun

in rockwool

cubes quickly

extend their

feeder roots

into the

solution when

placed in a

nutrient film

technique

system.

Aquaponics

will require a

lot of inputs

to keep both

plants and fish

healthy.

.

.

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