Aquaponics Offers Farmers Two for One Deal

To grow food, you need soil, plant seeds, water and fertilizer, right?

Not necessarily. A new take on gardening has found a way to eliminate the need for soil, constant watering and fertilizing. Aquaponics combines aquaculture and hydroponics to create a self-feeding system that supplies both fish and plants.

Aquaponic systems come in a few different forms but essentially they’re all irrigation systems that link fish tanks and planters. The nutrient-rich (read: fish manure) water is sent through the system to nourish plant roots with both water and fertilizer. The water is filtered by the plants and then returned to the fish tank. Once it’s set up, the only input is fish food.

Rob Torcellini, a farmer featured in a recent New York Times article on this topic, can be seen here giving a tour of his aquaponics system. Large yields are one major benefit, Torcellini explained by giving a count of his harvest: 347 tomatoes from one cherry tomato plant. Pretty impressive.

The harvest is not only great in size, but also in efficiency. This system uses 80 to 90 percent less water than more conventional growing methods, since the same water is used and reused…and reused. So in places where water is scarce, this is a stable method of growing not just veggies, but also fish.

The fact that aquaponics requires both plants and fish to work is beneficial to farmers who want a polyculture farm. By yielding protein and produce, farmers can supply their customers with a greater variety of goods. Tilapia is a suitable fish for recirculated water because of its tolerance to various fluctuating water conditions, so it is a popular choice amongst aquaponic gardeners. The selection of fruits and vegetables, though, seems to be endless. Torcellini plants strawberries, lettuce, beets, peas and more. Will Allen, founder of Growing Power, also houses an aquaponics system on his farm. In his system, he raises tilapia and perch and grows tomatoes, watercress and salad greens.

For more details on the different systems available and how to set up your own aquaponics system, check out the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service’s website.

Related posts:

1. Fishing in the City
2. FARMS Report Offers Blueprint For Growing King County’s Agriculture Business
3. Will Allen Inspires the Next Generation of Seattle Farmers

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