GMG's Friday Find: Hydroponic goes High-Tech!

Hydroponics is a method of growing plants using a nutrient-rich solution instead of soil. There are many advantages to growing hydroponically--no soil is needed, water and nutrition levels are controlled and plants grow healthier. Bitponics, a new high-tech hydroponic system, helps even the brown thumb be successful with indoor gardening.

A Brooklyn start-up, Bitponics takes gardening into the digital age with a device that lets you manage your plants, produce and flowers from the web. It is made up of two parts: a sensor and an online account. The sensor, connected to the device, collects readings on water and air temperature, humidity, brightness and pH, and is compatible with already existing hydroponic systems.

The online account is where you plug in your information on what you're growing and what system you're using. This generates a growing plan which is a road map for taking care of  your plants. You then receive tailored information on how many hours of light your plant needs, when to change the lighting schedule (as in the flowering stage), what pH range is safe for your plants, when to replace your nutrient solution and how often to run your water pump. The readings from your Bitponic device are automatically logged into your online account, or you can opt to manually log the data and even upload photos. The device also has two power outlets that can be set up on timers via the website to control lighting and water pumps.

Another major benefit of the Bitponic system is becoming a part of an online 'growing' community where plans and results are shared.  This community is where members can share their growing plans and successes with each other, from 'easy' tomato plants to more complex plant production. As an educational tool, this device is ripe with opportunity for schools and other gardening communities gaining knowledge on collaborative experiments.

Bitponic's goal is to allow more people to grow plants, no matter where they are or how much experience they have.  The urban apartment dweller, the suburban weekend gardener, or the seasoned farmer, all can experience the ease and bounty of hydroponic gardening.  Would you be willing to try  hydroponic gardening with your personal gardening assistant ready to advise and assist  you along the way?  We'd love to hear your thoughts.  Happy gardening!

~Peggy
Garden Media Group

GMG's Friday Find: Porch Foraging

We talk a lot in our office about gardening trends, like small space gardening, and combination gardening.

I decided to give it a go, and cleared out an area just beyond the house and planted spring lettuce, a variety of tomato plants, peppers (hot and cool colors), and tri-colored beans among the roses. I armed my precious produce with a Havahart Spray Away to keep the deer from my buffet. It has kept the deer out, and even a couple friends who accidentally stepped in the way.

I planted container herbs including French tarragon, lemon balm melissa, salvia, summer savory, Greek oregano, chives, dill, rosemary, lime golden thyme, fringed french lavender (fancy, eh?), parsley and stevia. Clipping these herbs to spice up sauteés and sauces is fun and adds incredible flavor. I plan on drying some of these for winter use, at least that’s the plan.

Seeding, thinning, planting, watering, and tending for home grown food is amazingly satisfying. When you pick that juicy red tomato, that spicy hot pepper and those snappy beans, you understand the joy of growing your own. Nature is nurturing and front yard (or back) farming is fun. .

What have you grown in a small space? We’d love to see your DIY vine to table delights!

~Peggy

Garden Media Group

Food trends for the future

Here at the Garden Media Group we're always on the hunt for upcoming garden/green living trends.

Recently, treehugger.com posted an interesting article projecting food trends for 2020. The projections come from Spain from a group of food researchers at  azti-technalia, a marine and food technological center, tasked with developing a project to identify future food trends.

What they came up with is thought provoking and sure makes for interesting conversation! Even more so, it just may "revolutionize" the way we look at food, grow food, and "consume" food.  Self-fulfilling prophesy? You decide.

The article lists eight points; here are a few teasers in no particular order:
1. "Food telling"- (food with a message). Attractive, accessible info and transparency and more...
2."SuperSense"- Food as a multisensory experience
3."Slocal" - Quality consumption, awareness and responsibility about the impact of food consumption
4."EgoFood"-Express your identity
5."Made Simple"- KISS principle. Opting for the least time consuming choice.
6."Eater-tainment"- The food experience. Connecting emotions, needs and memorable experiences
7."Here & Now"- Facilitates lifestyles of urban dwellers who demand flexibility to optimize healthy lifestyle
8."My Health"- Personalized health.

So let us know what you think... your "takeaway".

Will these projections provoke you to take a more active stance on how food is packaged and labeled? Buy local? Grow your own veggies? Consume less?

Put down your donut and pick up an apple?

Feed us your comments. Love to spark "healthy" debate!

Lynne

Garden Media Group

Photo credit: Kennett Square Farmers Market and Wiki Commons

GMG's Friday Find: One potato, Two potato...

Today I found a VERY simple way to grow potatoes! In something we all already own...a trash bag. Check out this very easy 5-step process (which includes harvesting) to great home grown goodness.

Step 1: Prepare the Seed Potatoes

About a week before planting, place seed potatoes in a warm spot. When the sprouts that form are about 1/4" to 1/2" long, the potatoes are almost ready to plant. Cut large seed potatoes into chunks about 2" wide. Each piece should have at least two sprouts. After cutting the seed potatoes, let them sit at room temperature for two or three days.

Step 2: Prepare the Bag

Use a pair of scissors to cut several drainage holes in the bottom of a 30-gallon black plastic trash bag. Roll down the sides of the bag and fill about one-third of the way up with potting soil. Place the bag in an area of the garden that receives full sun.

Step 3: Plant the Potatoes

Dust the seed potatoes with agricultural sulfur to protect against fungal diseases. Plant the seed potatoes by burying them, eyes pointed up, about 2" deep in the soil. Water well.

Step 4: Add More Soil

When the potato plants get about 6" to 8" tall, it is time to add more soil and straw to the bag. Add enough soil so that just the top few leaves poke through the dirt. As the potato plants grow, continue to unroll the bag and add more soil. Keep the potatoes well watered but not soggy.

Step 5: Harvest the Potatoes

One clue that the potatoes are almost ready to harvest is that the leaves will yellow and the foliage will die back. At this point stop watering and leave the potatoes alone for two or three weeks so that their skins toughen up. To harvest, slit open the side of the bag to release the potatoes.
How easy is that? I'm definitely trying this DIY project! Have any of you ever done this? How did it work out for you? Let me know.

-Karen
Garden Media Group

GMG's Friday Find: A Swiss Army Garden Knife?

Today's find was found in Good Housekeeping magazine (May 2012 Issue.) It was part of their Total Time Savers suggestions (which you should all take a look at) and I just knew it had to be our Friday Find! I also included the product video below!

Leonard Deluxe Stainless Steel Soil Knife

This is the product description directly from their website:

Based upon many customer suggestions and professional feedback, we created our deluxe soil knife, the next evolution. This deluxe stainless steel soil knife is also made in Maniago, Italy and also backed by our "no questions asked" LIFETIME WARRANTY, but it's even better!

Use it to: divide plants, plant bulbs, flowers and herbs, dig out weeds, remove rocks, cut through roots, plant in pots, clean out cracks, cut twine and ties, and for so much more! New features include:

• Larger Diameter Hook Opening: Hangs neatly on your peg rack for a tidy shed or work bench.
• Thumb-Rest Handle: A thumb rest at the base, a wider safety guard, and a more comfortable grip for all-day digging, and so you can push into the soil with more control.
• Twine Cutting Notch: Cut twine and plant ties as you go, without having to switch tools.
• Depth Markings on Blade: Inch markings on the Swedish stainless steel blade will ensure your plants and bulbs are planted at just the right depth.
• Extended Dual Cut Serrated Edge: Now an even sharper and longer cutting stroke and sharper serrations for easier cutting of roots and swift division of perennials and grasses.

Don't think that these improvements mean we've skimped anywhere else: this deluxe soil knife is still manufactured from the highest quality, rust-resistant Swedish stainless steel as the classic. The blade is engineered to withstand over 300 lbs of pressure, for a lifetime of use. The 6-inch stainless steel blade has a tapered slicing edge, plus a sharp, deeply serrated side made for fast root cutting.

Comfortable one-piece molded composite handle offers a more rounded grip and molded thumb rest. Blade is 1.75 inches wide, 11.75 inches overall length. Sheath sold separately. Ship wt .5 lbs.
Cost: $19.99.



Another great tool to make your gardening chores a little easier.

-Karen
Garden Media Group