In general, when it comes to growing veggies we tend to think of growing them in soil. But you can also grow them in water. We are talking about aquaponics and hydroponics. These terms can be confusing so let’s look at the difference between aquaponics & hydroponics.
Both aquaponics and hydroponics involve growing veggies in water. However, a hydroponics system only contains plants. The gardener adds the nutrients the veggies need to the system. By contrast, aquaponics is based on a symbiotic relationship between fish and plants. The nutrients are provided through the waste excreted from the fish. The beneficial microbes added to the system transform this waste from the fish into nutrients for the plants. And in turn, the plants filter the water which gives the fish a clean environment. In this way, the fish and plants work together symbiotically.
The decision to use aquaponics or hydroponics to grow veggies comes down to personal preference. However, it’s important to note that both these systems have benefits. They share the following benefits:
- The plants have a longer growing season. People often place these setups in a covered area. This means they are protected from the climate and have artificial lighting. As a result, the plants grow for a longer period of time.
- They have less of a negative impact on the environment.
- The plants grow faster.
- You get higher yields of veggies.
Moving towards a more self-sustaining way of living means that we have to think about growing our own food. Aquaponics and hydroponics allow us to do this effectively. While there will be initial set-up costs, it’s well worth investing in this. As a result, you can have food security and access to healthy organic food.
We’re here to help you on your journey. We can all take steps towards growing our own food. Even if space is limited we can all grow something, even herbs on a window sill. Learning to grow food to whatever degree we can is an essential life skill we all need.
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