Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

A guy in town who has seen my AP system told me of a project started by a local NGO in poor neighborhoods. It looks kind of neat and you can't argue with the results I saw. It is kind of hydroponics but on a very basic level. Everything is done by hand.

The way it works is that the NGO gives the people seeds and a concentrated nutrient solution and the people provide the labor and pumice which is available in most peoples' front yards here. The people fill black plastic bags with pumice and plant the seeds. Then they mix the solution in 200 liter barrels of water and use that water to water the plants 2 times each day.

I saw Cilantro, Green Peppers, Leaf Cabbage? (never heard of that., and even flowers being grown.

Man thats what you call getting back to basics

I even saw a few flowers with the leaf cabbage.

I am impressed by the way these plants are growing in a very reduced area. Those who are doing it the way the NGO says to do it are making tiple the going wage in their area just by selling the veggies on the streets. The advantage is that beggies can be grown in the off season when the prices are higher. Right now, tomatoes are $1.30 per pound (400 grams) and they can go as low as $.30 per pound. The trick is to always be producing what is not in season. I want to use Pumice, Growbeds and tilapia in a separate pilot program to see if I can enhance the program already being used.

Go for it

Hi,

All that's needed to avoid the cost of the nutrients is Tilapia and a fish tank.

The water could be bucketed out of the fish tank directly onto the plants.

The fish would be a bonus.

Gary

David - when you said leaf cabbage I first though it must have been kale. From the photos it looks more like a broccoli leaf - weird.

David & VB,

It looks like it could still be kale. One variety grows up to 2 metres tall. It's been trialled in Australia as sheep fodder.

Gary

FYI - I grew kale in my system last winter. Tasted great and it was the fish's favourite green food.

I guess I will look for it. World Vision is giving away about 1000 pounds of vegetable seeds in packets. Seed companies in the US give leftover packets in return for a tax break. World Vision gives them away for "family Gardens" . I am going to go through there stock in the office here in El Salvador on Thursday. Hopefully I will find some seeds I can use for both shade and sun. I hope to be able to give some of these seeds away as well.

I had heard of Kale but never seen it. Will have to try some.

Try and fins non hybridised species of plants. That way you are ensured you can collect the seeds once the crop has finished. Some GM plants or hybrids are infertile and the seeds will not go to fruit. It is that extra step for sustainability.

We've been growing the same leaf brassica (kale bop?) for many years and it often gets to a metre high. photos in my system thread.

They also have a funny knack of initiating patent infringement law suits once they have completely made themselves at home..................even if it was via natures winds............

Not even Microsoft can get a handle on copyright or patent infringements here. Don't think that will be an issue. However I will keep an eye open for opportunities to use seed. However if World Vision is able to GIVE seeds away on an ongoing basis, I can just keep getting them from that source. They have been doing it since 1998 so no real reason to expect them to quit.

I found a 16-year-old who needs some pocket money. He is going to sift me a bunch of pumice and I am goin to try some in a grow bed and see how it compares to my current Lava Rock. If it works well then I will switch to that in my system since it is closer to home.