The current global pandemic is placing a huge stress on not only our personal health but our healthcare systems. It is also testing the limits of society as a whole, grinding the economy to a halt and forcing everyone to sit and work from home where possible. The impacts are unfathomable with job losses and shopping centres in a frenzy as we run to stock up on food and household products.
As we evaluate the way this impacts our living arrangements, processes and food systems we have to pose the question, why are we relying on dated food systems and bloated corporations to provide us with fresh produce?
This is an unprecedented time where we have some time to stop and think about how we want to create our lives and live them. There has never been a better time to start your own urban farm, indoors or outdoors pending on your dwelling and take things into your own hands.
There are so many ways to grow your own produce at home through either traditional soil farming practices in your garden or not as traditional through Aquaponic and Hydroponic farming methods. With the use of organic seeds you can grow fresh produce that is free from pesticides and nasty chemicals.
Aquaponics is one of the most efficient and cost effective ways to grow food. Aquaponics uses 90% less water than conventional farming. This is made possible by the nature of Aquaponics itself. Water usage is minimal as recirculated waste and tank water is continuously recycled and consumed as the plants need it. This is what we call a "symbiotic" relationship between fish and plants.
Hydroponic methods of plant growth rely on rapid root growth (therefore rapid plant growth) and a variety of other factors. The easiest way to encourage rapid root growth is by selecting a growing media that allows your plants to absorb as many nutrients as possible – in this case, hydroponics generally uses Coco Coir, Perlite, Clay Balls or NFT (Nutrient Film Technique). Check out our blog for examples of hydroponic systems we’ve installed all over Australia and more information.
Urban Green Farms has a number of solutions to help you get growing. From small bench-tops units to larger set ups and customisable systems.
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For more information please visit www.urbangreenfarms.com.au