Aeroponic gardening produces more food at a faster rate, is eco-friendly, soil-free and yields herbs and produce at home that are more nutrient dense than conventionally farmed products.

 

The benefits of aeroponic gardening versus conventional gardening were profoundly stated by the University of Mississippi after they performed a study evaluating the two. The study revealed that aeroponic gardening not only produces more food at a faster rate—30 percent more, three times faster—but is also ecofriendly, using 98 percent less water and 90 percent less land, as well, as pollution and pests were less of a problem because the technology is dirt-free.

 

The indoor/outdoor aeroponic system runs off a timer. When the timer goes off, the pump within the tower delivers an essential nutrient-laden mist of water to each exposed root. Following this, the technology allows for aeration to occur just as with soil gardening. In essence, the technology provides a self-contained system that feeds, waters and oxygenates itself. The difference in the smell and color of aeroponically grown herbs are distinct and much more vibrant than traditionally grown versions.

 

In a study spearheaded by the Environmental Working Group in collaboration with Commonweal, researchers at two major laboratories found an average of 200 industrial chemicals and pollutants in umbilical cord blood from 10 babies born in August and September of 2004 in U.S. hospitals. Tests revealed a total of 287 chemicals in the group. The umbilical cord blood of these 10 children, collected by Red Cross after the cord was cut, harbored pesticides, consumer product ingredients, and wastes from burning coal, gasoline, and garbage.

 

Tara Saksek, a master herbalist and registered nurse, is the founder of AeroponicAlchemist LLC, located in Halifax. For more information, visit AeroponicAlchemist.com.