Hydroponic Farming
Last month, Healthy Archuleta harvested 35 two-ounce bags of hydroponically grown Italian basil. These were then distributed to our local food pantries. How was this done? In April 2023, Healthy Archuleta began growing fresh lettuce greens in a vertical hydroponic grow tower that is housed locally indoors. Since then, this hydroponic grow tower has grown over 1,100 heads of lettuce and donated it all to local food pantries. Additionally, three more towers have been purchased and are now fully operational.
Having access to several of these hydroponic towers is providing enough produce to harvest on a bi-weekly basis. Soon, there will be a harvest of loose leaf green lettuce. There is also a quantity of Italian basil and onion chives will be ready for harvest soon. As it becomes warmer, it will eventually become too warm to grow lettuce, even indoors. However, instead of shutting down the towers over the summer, HA is attempting to grow some warm season crops, such as cherry tomatoes and sweet peppers. This hopefully will happen with the benefit of appropriate plant food, enough grow lighting and some air circulation. Within a few months, if successful, there will be some tomatoes and peppers to be harvested. This growth will be able to continue well into the fall season, when all other outdoor gardening has ceased. In between these plantings, there will be fresh greens such as chard, kale, and beet greens grown in the towers to supplement donations for the community.
It is vital that fresh fruits and vegetables be accessible to everyone in our community. Healthy Archuleta seeks to continue supporting the local food pantries by offering fresh produce through its hydroponic growing system, and also by sponsoring educational opportunities to empower local gardeners to grow their own fresh food to share with their families and friends. To learn more about the efforts of Healthy Archuleta, please visit our website at www.foodcoalition4archuleta.org or send us an email at [email protected].
Having access to several of these hydroponic towers is providing enough produce to harvest on a bi-weekly basis. Soon, there will be a harvest of loose leaf green lettuce. There is also a quantity of Italian basil and onion chives will be ready for harvest soon. As it becomes warmer, it will eventually become too warm to grow lettuce, even indoors. However, instead of shutting down the towers over the summer, HA is attempting to grow some warm season crops, such as cherry tomatoes and sweet peppers. This hopefully will happen with the benefit of appropriate plant food, enough grow lighting and some air circulation. Within a few months, if successful, there will be some tomatoes and peppers to be harvested. This growth will be able to continue well into the fall season, when all other outdoor gardening has ceased. In between these plantings, there will be fresh greens such as chard, kale, and beet greens grown in the towers to supplement donations for the community.
It is vital that fresh fruits and vegetables be accessible to everyone in our community. Healthy Archuleta seeks to continue supporting the local food pantries by offering fresh produce through its hydroponic growing system, and also by sponsoring educational opportunities to empower local gardeners to grow their own fresh food to share with their families and friends. To learn more about the efforts of Healthy Archuleta, please visit our website at www.foodcoalition4archuleta.org or send us an email at [email protected].