During the last few weeks we explored the various possible techniques to develop a vertical garden that could grow into a small space of the house: the window. We arrived first at the solution of hydroponics (earthless agriculture), which is growing plants performed on neutral and inert substrate (such as sand, pozzolana, clay pebbles, rockwool etc.. ). This substrate is irrigated regularly with a liquid stream that brings minerals and nutrients to the plant. This technique are widely used for market gardening.
Then, our research led us to the “window farming”, which is the latest evolution in sustainable food production in a closed cycle. This movement, initiated by newyorker Britta Riley, is a way to produce food using a simple but very effective method in urban environments. We added a biological filter to the original scheme, which can purify the water but also to enrich the nutrients needed by plants for their growth.
All the elements that make up our system are salvage or readily available (including the pump and timer which can be found in any garden shop or DIY): plastic bottles that serve as pots for plants , bamboo chopsticks, all connected with wire to the structure and a plastic container for the filter.
If you want to build one, you can find all the details in the section Local Products Site: Vertical Hydroponic Garden
