5 March 2022 | New Scientist | 31Undersea beds
THIS otherworldly, underwater
environment is more than just
a cool diving spot. It is a sunken
farm for terrestrial plants. Called
Nemo’s Garden, it is located in the
sea off Noli on the Italian Riviera
and was created to explore the
possibilities of novel agriculture.
The “garden” is a research
project run by diving equipment
company Ocean Reef Group. It is
developing mostly hydroponic
techniques, which don’t require
soil, for growing plants in six
large underwater domes. These
floating biospheres are largely
self-sustaining systems that
each hold about 2000 litres of air.
They are secured at between 5
and 10 metres below the surface.
The combination of
warming sunlight and cool
seawater maintains plant-
friendly humidity and warmth
within the domes, with daytime
air temperatures reaching 24 to
32°C. Other conditions, including
carbon dioxide and oxygen levels,
are closely monitored.
This approach has several
advantages, claims Ocean
Reef Group: it is somewhat
independent of weather,
and there are no parasites,
so pesticides aren’t needed.
The team is still investigating
which types of plant, including
vegetables, are best suited to
growing underwater. ❚Gege LiAgency Nemo’s Garden
by Ocean Reef GroupNew Scientist video
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