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Aquaponics: The Future of Sustainable Agriculture
Aquaponics is the sustainable method of combining aquaculture (raising fish) and hydroponics (growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions in water) to produce organic food year round. This process dates back to 1,000 A.D when the Aztec Indians used rafts floating on the surface of lakes to raise plants. A brilliantly sustainable idea!
The beauty of this is that it creates a sustainable closed system. The water from the raising of fish is normally a waste product but is actually filled with nutrients that provide what plants need for growing. Rather than having to feed the plants with inorganic nutrients, which is the normal practice in hydroponics, the plants utilize the “waste” from the fish.
Here are a few points on how aquaponics changes the game:
• Waist-high aquaponic gardening eliminates weeds, back strain and animal access to your garden.
• Reuse resources currently considered “waste”. There is no more toxic run-off from either hydroponics or aquaculture.
• Uses only 1/10th of the water of soil-based gardening, and even less water than recirculating aquaculture.
• Watering is integral to the system. You can’t under-water or over-water.
• Fertilizing is also integral to the system. You can’t over-fertilize or under-fertilize.
• Gardening chores are cut down dramatically or eliminated. The aquaponic grower only does the enjoyable tasks of feeding the fish and tending and harvesting the plants.
To learn more:
Watch the videos below or visit the Aquaponic Gardening for more information on Aquaponics.
Written by events on 07/13/2010 in Blog | Food | Gardening
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