Gardening

Gardening

Aquaponic Food Production Using Aquaponic System

Written by Naturally Earth Friendly on February 2, 2012

Aquaponics is easier than growing fish in a fish tank aquarium. And you get to eat them! Well, as long as you grow something you want to eat. Usually baramundi, tilapia and catfish are grown in aquaponics systems, but you can grow goldfish if you wanted.

Home Hydroponic: Windowfarm

Written by Naturally Earth Friendly on February 2, 2012
A Windowfarm. Handing bottles create a vertical hydroponic garden.
Windowfarms Diagram.

Hydroponics is possible for apartment renters who don't have a backyard. Turn your sunny windows into a micro-farm utilizing the hydroponic system created by WindowFarms.

Using only about $3.16 per year to run a 4-column unit, this is an economical way to grow your own produce. Fresh and organic produce can be yours, even for those who don't have yard space.

Build a Homemade Hydroponic System

Written by Naturally Earth Friendly on February 1, 2012
Diagram of the hydroponics wick system.
Close up of hydroponics plants grown in rain gutter.

Whether you choose to try hydroponics indoors or outdoors, it's a great sustainable way to grow your own food. If you dream of having a garden with lots of edible plants, or even ornamental plants, you should consider trying hydroponics. You'll use less water than traditional gardening. And it's easier that you think.

Fish for Aquaponics

Written by Naturally Earth Friendly on February 1, 2012
Tilapia in an aquaponics system

You need fish for an aquaponics system. Aquaponics is the combination of aquaculture and hydroponics, aqua- and -ponics combined. Without fish you can't feed your plants naturally and you're just doing hydroponics.

Aquaponics is great. You get to grow your own produce and are raising fish at the same time. It's easier than having a traditional fish tank aquarium.

Aquaponics Designs and Aquaponics Plans

Written by Naturally Earth Friendly on January 31, 2012
Nutrient film technique in aquaponics system

Basically a combination of aquaculture and hydroponics, thus aqua-ponics, aquaponics systems utilize hydroponics while growing fish in a semi-enclosed to fully-enclosed system.

What is Ecological Gardening?

Written by Jonathan White on January 25, 2012
Hands holding dirt with plant seedling.
Gardener holding basket with fresh vegetables and produce from garden.
Rows of vegetable crops, a traditional field of produce.

The term Ecological Gardening seems to be gaining popularity. But what is it? What is ecological gardening? Natural ecosystems are generally diverse and there are a number of intricate interdependent relationships occurring between the living and non-living components at any given time.

Put simply, each component relies and benefits from its interaction with other components.

Infographic: How to Make Compost Work for You

Written by Naturally Earth Friendly on January 19, 2012
Bucket of kitchen food scraps being added to compost bin.
How to Make Compost Work for You Infographic

Here's a great graphical representation of how to get started composting. It's an infographic by WellHome, a leader in home energy retrofitting, and the cartoons are light and fun.

You might learn something new about composting.

We learned that some people run water pipes through their compost piles as a natural water heater. That's clever.

Plant a Colorful Garden to Attract Helpful Bees and Beautiful Butterflies

Written by Naturally Earth Friendly on April 27, 2010

Nectar plants, rocks for basking in the sun, and fresh water help attract bees.A lot of space isn't really necess

How to Make Your Garden Bee Friendly in 4 Easy Steps

Written by Naturally Earth Friendly on April 26, 2010

The number of bees in the world is fast declining.

How to Build a Support Cage for Your Tomatoes

Written by Naturally Earth Friendly on April 25, 2010