Aquaponics – A Complete Ecosystem For Organic Gardeners

If you have been considering an organic garden, then you really should look into the advantages an aquaponic garden provides. Aquaponics is essentially a hydroponic garden done organically with the addition of a fish pond. It is a complete ecosystem that utilizes fish waste as organic food for the plants and adversely, the plants clean the water providing a safe environment for the fish.

There are many advantages to planting an aquaponic garden which I’m sure organic gardeners will find encouraging.

1. Like the hydroponic garden the aquaponic garden uses no soil. The plants are planted in trays and grow their roots into a bed of garden rocks. The trays are typically set on tables or stands so that a drain can be installed at the bottom of the tray.
2. The plants are at waist level saving the gardener from having to get on his hands and knees and weed the garden. With the aquaponics system, weeds are completely eliminated allowing all of the nutrients to make it to the plants and provide for better tasting fruits and vegetables.
3. In the aquaponic garden, there are no problems with insects which typically eat away at your crop and cause you to search for organic pesticides.
4. Also, there is no need for fertilizers. The fish provide all the fertilizer you will need and your plants will grow beautiful and full of nutrients without the use of any synthetics at all.
5. You will be growing a fish crop at the same time.

Here’s how it works

By recycling the water from the pond over the plants and back into the pond, the water will be cleaned by the plants and provide oxygenated water back to the pond. This complete system can be powered by a small solar panel and hooked up to a battery which powers the pump that is necessary for recycling the water. Altogether you have a system which produces organic fruits and vegetables much easier than the typical organic garden. Additionally you can eat the fish and the whole thing is powered using a do it yourself solar panel.

So there you have it my fellow gardeners. Aquaponics is one more weapon in your arsenal to provide a healthy lifestyle for you and your family and save lots of money at the same time. Eliminating produce and fish from your grocery bill can make a big difference in today’s economy.