Planning for 2012 Outdoor Season

The 2011 outdoor season is complete! I’m happy to say that it went much smoother than 2010, when I had a few mechanical and design errors that significantly handicapped the growing. As a result, I learned a lot more this year about the plants. Of course, I also discovered that my new design still needs some improvements.

 

My half-barrel system provided adequate depth for the plants to establish deep roots, insulated from the summer heat, and my very conservative growbed to tank volume ratio of 1:2 provided ample nutrients to the roots.

 

With only one pump and three barrel-halves, I connected all the barrels via PVC pipe with one siphon at the opposite end from which the water entered the barrels. Unfortunately, the piping connecting the barrels was 1 to 1.5 inches above the bottom of the barrel half. This meant that only the barrel with the siphon could drain completely – the others would have standing water below the connecting pipes.

 

Once the cucumber and squash roots reached the standing water, they plants began to weaken. This culminated in root rot that brought the once thriving plants to an early demise.

 

Additionally, I found that my mechanical timers did not keep reliable time. I had set the pump flow for 15 minutes, which would provide enough water to just start the siphon. Unfortunately, I frequently found that the timer cut short, so the siphon didn’t start, leaving the roots soaking for far too long. To circumvent this, I kept the pump running continuously. With no time for the roots and shale to dry out between cycles, it probably exacerbated the root rot problem.

 

To avoid these problems next year, I plan to do the following:

• Put a drain in the bottom of each barrel
• Connect the drains to a single siphon outside the barrels
• Pump water in through the bottom of the siphon system. If the timer cuts short, water can drain back to the tank through the pump

 

Planned System Design Outdoor Season 2012

 

Planned Siphon System Design for Outdoor Season 2012

I will also swap out the fish pond for an IBC tote to take up less space. Additionally, I may move the location of the aquaponics, as it only gets full sun between 9am and 3pm.

 

Squash and Cukes!

By August, I had some great looking squash and cucumbers growing.

Cucumbers (left) and Squash (right) on 8/16/2011

The squash grew very vigorously and produced lots of buds this summer. Unfortunately, the three squash plants kept producing all same sex flowers at one time. As a result, there weren't many flowers of the opposite sex to pollinate them. I got all my squah from the brief periods when the two sexes overlapped (at the end of one cycle and beginning of another). Next year I'll stagger the squash planting to increase the likelihood of both sexes of flowers existing at the same time.

Outdoor Season Update

This summer's growing has been progressing steadily. I've harvested the basil a few times, and the cucumbers and squash now have fruit beginning. The cukes and squash have had flowers for at least three weeks, but until recently all the flowers were male - that means no fruit. I thought the lettuce might grow well under the shade of other plants, but so far they've just stayed small and dormant. Bell peppers have produced a few fruits but few new flowers. Nitrate levels in the water have remained very high (~80ppm) and I've put some Maxicrop plus Iron in as well. I started up the tank with pure ammonia, so I think there was a lack of some trace nutrients, including iron..

Grow beds on 7-26-2011

Squash (foreground), Lettuce, & Jalapeños (background)

Cucumbers (foreground), Peppers (mid), & Lettuce (background)

Basil (R) with Small Hot Peppers (L)

Tengo Muchos Jalapeños (y Otras Verduras)!

In the month since I took my tomato plants out of the grow bed inside, the jalapeños' growth exploded. They've grown tall and have a profusion of flowers. As I've mentioned before, the I was surprised that the jalapeños flowered, due to the predominately blue light of the metal halide bulb. Such light is best for vegetative growth.

Last week I harvested the first fruit: they are about 3 inches long and very spicy! They made for a piquant corn chowder. I have 16 more that will be ready to harvest soon and at least another 15 buds and flowers.

3" Jalapeños on 7/05/2011

Jalapeños Ready for the Chowder

Meanwhile, the chard has re-grown tremendously...

First Custom Contracted Aquaponic System Built!

I'm pleased to report that I have just completed construction of my first custom aquaponic system for a client based in Little Compton, RI. See more pictures and find out the details by visiting the new Custom Client System page!

First custom built aquaponic system: 4' x 2' x 1' grow bed with 3' x 2' x 1.5' fish tank using an autosiphon