Non-Dirt Farming?

One of the oddities of aquaponics is that ‘regular’ farmers seldom consider using aquaponics technology. If a person is trained in soil farming, the concept that there is ‘no soil for growing plants’ is usually too large a barrier for them to cross. For example, a farmer said to us, “GRAVEL? You grow plants in gravel? Are you crazy?” Even some of our Portable Farms™ Aquaponics Systems License Holders have a difficult time making the crossover without some careful training.  

For example: The Operator of a Portable Farms installation in recent months is a trained agriculturist/farmer specializing in growing ornamental rose bushes that are grown and shipped all over the US. Explaining to him that fish ‘poop’ was all his plants needed besides the ongoing planting and harvesting was a multi-day educational process. To accept that no fertilizers, no sprays, no micronutrients, no weeding and no watering were necessary in his day-to-day operations was a completely foreign concept to this trained farmer. The other problem was for him to accept that the plants almost never have any diseases or any pests to worry about. After days of constant and patient training, he was able to understand the entire cycle including the plant requirements, the fish requirements, the cleaning of system and the need for cleanliness at all times. At first, he was reluctant to accept the ease of the aquaponics systems compared to ‘in-ground growing’ but over time, he has embraced the ease with which plants grow and now sings our praises. 

To grow your crops at waist level, never have to weed them, never have to water them in the usual sense, have no bugs or diseases and only have to focus on planting and harvesting is such a joy that many people who have visited our farms actually stand beside a Grow Tray and weep (real tears) with gladness. Nearly all of them have had many years of gardening and growing plants in pots.  

The big difference between the systems in the dirt. 

Without dirt being present in the Portable Farms™ Aquaponics Systems, nearly all of the soil pathogens and problems are nonexistent from the very beginning of a plants grow life, by design. The use of gravel, or other inert substances as a substrate or growing medium, is a proven technique and has been used successfully for many years. The plants need something to hold them upright as they grow. The dirt that normally supports them is an excellent growth medium, but it also is loaded with many organisms that are not as healthy for plants as gravel. I know, it may sound ‘counter intuitive’ (“no soil?”) but don’t knock it if you haven’t tried it. 

By taking out the dirt/soil and giving the plants a semi-solid, highly aerated substrate for them to grow in, and then supplying a balanced nutrient load gives the plants the happiest home possible. They reward the grower with faster growth, higher nutritional value and are exactly where they need to be at harvest time.  

For more information please take the time to thoroughly study our websites and if you require more information on the purchase of our technology for yourself or as a license holder please do contact us today.