Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

The Basil of course is doing great. We have found there is a market for basil plants, so we are rooting clippings on Styrofoam rafts, and bagging them for sale. AP is great for cloning plants either in NFT or floating rafts. I suppose it is even good just sticking the clippings in the gravel of the GB if you have the space.

We also are growing and selling Jalapeño plants the same way. We will probably be doing the same with ornamentals. This is giving the guys at the center a way to bring in more money for things they need.

Swiss Chard is amazing! We are able to make lots of salads each week with what we have growing. An it seems to just keep growing as you cut it. I am sure it will come to an end eventually but it has been producing for 3 months now with no signs of slowing down.

The green beans produce a lot for a short time. to me, for our application, it is not really worth the hassle and space for Green Beans.

We finally pulled up the cherry toms and planted some beefsteak varieties. We won't see any results for a couple of months on those. We wishing great things for them. Romas seem to do well in AP as well.

Sounds like everything is going great DT....

How have the rehab patients responded to AP.... do they feel a benefit and a sense of satisfaction/purpose from the time they put into things?

It is kind of a point of rallying. They are careful not to let anyone do the system harm because they all feel like owners. They all see benefit to having it in the center because if nothing else, it is fun to watch a golf-ball-sized snail slide to the top of a cement block and then jump off. Very therapeutic. They are quick to tell me when the pipes need cleaning because it is not siphoning correctly or if there are insects in the plants. They love the Swiss Chard, and the Toms.

Excellent work David :-)

Funny how the they've taken aliking to the Swiss Chard and Toms....

The Swiss Chard is an all round health food, rich in vitamins, potassium and iron....

http://whfoods.org/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=16

Toms are also rich in potassium.....

Perfect foods for alcoholics and smokers, both activities that rob the body of essential vitamins and minerals (particularly potassium!), and natural detoxers for blood, liver and kidneys....

Given a chance the body will tell you what it needs and what to eat

Good info Rupe... I will share that with the guys.

Thanks for the kind words.

Nice work DT, the silver beet kust loves AP and just keeps growing as you take off leaves....F&F had some still going strong after 6 months (might still be going for him) but I couldn't push it that far

How heavy are those growbeds?

Yeah DT, can you pick them up by yourself or do you need another guy to help.

Heh, the growbeds in the above pic? Those can't be lifted, they are made in place.

The ferrocement ones I made take at least two people.

The swiss chard? I can eat all of it by myself.