It is important for the growing
medium to be free-draining and
highly aerated. It should ideally
contain some already-mineralized
nutrients (compost and vermicast),
and be a source of naturally occurring beneficial microbes, or have
them inoculated in before planting
occurs. A good medium
for organic production has
proven to be a mix of coconut fiber, coarse perlite and
approaches to organics.
high-quality, fully-processed
Novice growers should start
vermicast (20%) to provide
with low-nutrient-demanding
some immediately availcrops, such as lettuce, salad
able nutrients and diverse
greens and fresh herbs, and
microbes that will process
gradually build up to fruiting
the organic nutrient solution
plants as the system matures
when it is applied.
and higher rates of mineralNew organic substrates
ization occur. Even though
incorporated into a
aquaponic systems provide
hydroponic system
good levels of nutrient ions
should be conditioned
from fish waste, high-nutribefore use—fully moistAquaponics is one the simplest forms of organic hydroponics.
ent-demanding crops may
ened, inoculated with
still need a little supplementamicrobes, fed a small
tion, especially extra trace elements from time to time.
amount of organic nutrients and left to sit in a warm
Aside from aquaponics, many successful, organically certigrowing area for at least 1-2 weeks before planting out.
fied commercial hydroponic syst