Hydroponics Module
What is it?
Hydroponics is the growing of plants in a mineral nutrient solution without a soil medium – and is the posterchild of vertical farming. It is one of an emerging trinity of urban agriculture methods that are transforming our cities. Hydroponics is extremely productive because it delivers nutrient-rich solutions to the roots of plants in a carefully calibrated environment. The recirculating system provides the “exact” amount of nutrients and light plants need for rapid growth, stronger yields, and superior quality.
The Shed’s Hydroponic Module departs from other setups because it uses a special, bio-active solution of worm tea and nutrients that is in line with organic food standards. It therefore meets criteria for ensuring quality of produce and low environmental impact – key requirements for building healthy and sustainable cities.
How does it work?
Plants thrive from the delivery of macronutrients (e.g., nitrogen), trace elements (e.g., manganese) and biologically-active compounds and microbes to their root zone. The Hydroponic Module pumps this mixture to plants in a growing tank shared with the Soil-Based beds.
The nutrient solution contains organic nutrients boosted by a worm tea. Worm tea is an aerated solution of worm castings obtained by vermicomposting, which is the decomposition of organic matter by worms. Worm tea contains its own nutrients, but also a cocktail of naturally occurring and beneficial agrobacteria and plant growth factors.
Research has shown a wide range of worm tea benefits from suppressing plant diseases and enhancing nutrient uptake to stimulating plant growth hormones. The Shed’s hydroponics thus encourages vigorous plant growth in a way that mimics the biological activity of natural soils.
Why is it important?
As the human population continues its upward arc, efficient agriculture methods are needed more than ever to replace dead urban sites with food-giving spaces. The tumbling cost of renewable energy in recent years makes hydroponics an increasingly viable fixture of sustainable cities and a way of growing food close to consumers.
Where food is grown organically – as the Shed does for all aspects but natural light – urban produce can also come with health benefits.
As part of the modern food landscape, hydroponics offers a compelling solution for building local and resilient food systems.
What Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) are met?
The Module advances Sustainable Development Goals of Good Health and Wellbeing (SDG 3) by improving access to fresh, pesticide-free foods.
The Module advances Sustainable Development Goals of Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure (SDG 9) by developing clean agricultural technologies.
What can you do?
Support a vertical farm in your community by purchasing produce or telling a friend.
Learn about the pros, cons, science and practice of hydroponics through the following unaffiliated links:
Compare soil growing to other methods used in the Shed through this downloadable lesson plan example.
Get hands-on with hydroponics with downloadable instructions to set up a simple home hydroponics experiment.