Grow ANYWHERE!

Grow ANYWHERE!

Start Earlier and Finish Later
Lesson: 4.5
Level:
Intermediate
Station: Hydroponics
Format: Class Project
Rating:
Intermediate Lesson 4.5 Grow Anywhere

Lesson Overview

Hydroponics provides indoor growing capabilities at scale for year round production. That trumps many outdoor gardens in terms of full year production potential. In this lesson, students will calculate the increase in production.

Goals

  • Students will be able to describe the season extending merits of hydroponics.

Outcomes

Students will calculate the total production potential of the hydroponics system in order to determine the increase in yearly production potential of all systems, indoors and out.

Teach the Teacher

Tools & Materials

  • Spreadsheet
  • SMART Board

Activity

Many Labs start with outdoor gardens. It’s cheap to start and land is often more available than indoor space. But outdoor soil-based agriculture is always at the mercy of the weather and natural forces.

Indoor hydroponics, on the other hand, is managed in a completely controlled environment. And what it affords farmers and Edible Labs is additional production potential and extended seasons.

Think of the possibilities for wholesale relationships with restaurants when you can start selling them specialty greens and herbs a month or two earlier and for an additional month or two in the fall.

Calculate the increase in production that your hydroponic system offers beyond that of the traditional summer growing season.

How many more plants? Additional pounds of harvest?

What’s the percentage increase in total production potential for all systems? What’s the financial impact?

Related Lessons

Give the Advanced lesson a try now that you’ve completed the Intermediate Lesson! Or revisit the Beginner Lesson as needed.

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