Setting up an aquaponic garden can be a relatively simple undertaking, especially for those who have already experimented with the hydroponic growing technique.
Many people, however, continue to have reservations about the efficiency of such a system. If you are one of these people, you should definitely be interested in learning more about the aquaponics system and how it can improve your health, and well-being and, indeed, transform your life.
So, keep reading and you’ll find that some of your questions will be answered.
Aquaponics Plants
An aquaponic system, it should be noted, is a natural system, which does not involve the use of any artificial growth agents, chemicals, or fertilizers.
This is important to understand.
This means there will be no substance used to accelerate their growth, and no additional human assistance will be provided or needed, to allow the crops to be harvested quicker. Basically, an aquaponics system treats the plants exactly the same as if they were grown in the ground.
It is only via the use of aquaponics that soil may be replaced with water that is rich in naturally occurring nutrients collected from the fish. As a result, if you are looking for a way to grow tomatoes or strawberries in a matter of weeks, then, I’m afraid you should look elsewhere.
However, if you are after tasty, chemical-free, and completely natural food then aquaponics definitely is for you!
It’s a Natural System
All of the components of the aquaponic system are natural, which means that the plant will go through the regular stages of development and will grow just as if it were planted in the ground. If you want to accurately predict when you will harvest your first crops, check the seed box (or pack) and see how much time that specific plant requires to grow in the ground. That is exactly when you will harvest your first crops.
However, it is necessary to add approximately 3 months to the date on the seed package if you are starting your aquaponic garden now, because you will not be able to plant your seeds until the ammonia from the fish poo has been converted into nourishing substances, which will take approximately 3 months.
Can I Fast Track This?
You can but not in the way that you might think. It’s important to stress that you cannot use any fertilizers or chemical substances that will accelerate plant growth because doing so will kill the fish and ultimately ruin your aquaponic garden. However, you can skip the first three months of the process entirely by adding nitrates to the water from the very first day you purchase the fish tank.
Conclusion
Vegetables cultivated in aquaponic gardens require the same amount of time to mature as vegetables grown in traditional gardens, ensuring that you receive delicious and nutritious produce. As a result, there is no reason to be suspicious or uncertain about the quality of the crops produced by the aquaponic system in question. They are as good and nutritious as they possibly can be, and in some cases, they are even healthier than what you can buy in the store!