Farming in the Concrete Jungle

An amazing idea.... What to do when you love fresh greens and not much is available? She calls it window farming.

It has caught on internationally now with discussions and ideas bringing improvements all the time..... video here.

Chelle

I am seeing a growing trend towards this type of innovative growing for large cities with little or no land but a want for fresh and safe food. And while I absolutely admire this type of out of the box thinking and creativity, I am always left wondering how sustainable is something like this and is the final product as nutritious and healthy as regular soil growing methods? I realize right now it might not even matter to the people doing it as the creative, fun and growing something yourself aspect is appealing all by itself. But is it a potential long term answer or more of a hobby?

It appears to be an input intensive method nutrient wise, but having really no knowledge of the nutrient side of things for these hydroponic systems I guess I don't really know. Where do the nutrients for these systems come from?

Jeff

They would get their chemicals from the same place those who grow hydroponically do. On that scale it would just be a hobby but I have seen larger systems in Japan where growlights are used.... all on a commercial scale.

I am not into hydroponics ... much prefer aquaponics.....   fish providing the nutrient and bio-filter of plants cleaning the water for return back to the fish....... because it is a more natural nutrient supply and fully sustainable. In watching the video I thought she could just have linked it up to a fish tank... but it takes a little know-how .... more than a capful of hydroponic nutrient.

As you do.... I admired her creative solution to her lack of fresh grown greens.

Here is a guy who has created a completely sustainable vertical unit .... aquaponics ..... This cold be easily done in the concrete jungle .... but a little more space required.

Chelle