LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) – Some herbs and vegetables at the Canseco Garden are grown without the use of soil. The planters only need water, nutrients solution and a seed.
Jose Garcia, executive director of the Laredo Center for Urban Agriculture and Sustainability, said this is another step towards encouraging the Laredo community to learn to grow their own garden indoors.
Garcia said a hydroponics system is where you grow plants using just water.
“It’s perfect for like people who live in apartments that don’t have the space, backyard space, to grow their own garden,” Garcia said. “They could do it in the comfort of something small like a storage bin.”
One of the hydroponics tower planters being used is 3D-printed.
Garcia thought about this in February and it took a total of two to three days to be printed and assembled by him at home.
Clay pebbles are placed in the pods and a sponge with a seed follows.
Water is able to reach the different pods through a water pump that is attached to the planter.
The other planter was a do-it-yourself invention using a storage container.
“The best part about this one is you get to see the new roots growing,” Garcia said. “Some of them are even larger than the actual plant up here. We have an air pump connected with rocks that produce oxygen bubbles. And these oxygens help circulate all the nutrients and minerals for the plant as well.”
The overall goal is to have these 3D prints available for schools so that students can learn within the classroom.
The hydroponics system was successful in growing herbs, kale, lettuce, sweet chard and spearmint.
A free hybrid class about the hydroponics planting system is taking place April 11 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Those interested can call 956-307-7322 or email education@laredourbanag.org to sign up.
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