HYDROPONICS … AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO URBAN FOOD PRODUCTION
Why Hydroponics?
It's quick, clean and super productive.
Easy to learn
No soil needed
Sustainable growing substrate
Hyper-local
Pesticide, fungicide and herbicide free
95% less water required when compared to conventional growing methods
Wide verity of crops can be easily grown
One of the most productive and economical growing systems
Maximum energy efficiency
Bottom Line: Cleaner, Faster, Safer and Consistent!!
Session 1
A history of hydroponics … old technology brought up to date.
An overview of hydroponics and various hydroponic systems.
A review of vertical outdoor growing and why it's so effective
A tour of the growing area and identification of the various system components
Key building strategies for a successful system
The importance of consistency
Session 2
Beyond organic
Growing media success
Structuring the growing media
No compaction needed
Speed filling
When to use direct seeding methods
Best seeds to use for leafy greens
Planting you first seed
Session 3
Plant nutrition … why it's so important
NPK … explosive information
Selection of plant food
Never guess … always test!
(instrumentation recommendations)How to feed for greater production and yield
Feeding sequence
Nutrition add mixtures
Innovative nutrition strategies
Session 4
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Insect identification (most common + good and bad)
The “Car Wash” (high volume low pressure)
When to implement IPM
Using nutrition as a pest management tool
Session 5
The harvest
When to crop
How to crop
Cut and come again v. one and done
Hydro-cooling