Skip to Content.
Sympa Menu

market-farming - Re: [Market-farming] Are Organic Hydroponic Greenhouses Environmentally Sustainable

market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org

Subject: Market Farming

List archive

Chronological Thread  
  • From: Allan Balliett <igg AT igg.com>
  • To: Market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Are Organic Hydroponic Greenhouses Environmentally Sustainable
  • Date: Tue, 13 Dec 2005 08:16:01 -0500

The backyard garden seems most sustainable. A hoop house or high tunnel
might come next. Where would hydroponics fit in? Would productivity and
low transportation costs make it worth while?

I'd love to be corrected on this assumption: hydroponic operations are not sustainable in any sense of the word and, to be effective, require never ending purchased inputs. Ecologically, the plastic of a hoop house can be rationalized by the savings in petroleum local food achieves. With hydro, you add substantial overhead (and costs) with all the additional plastic pots, troughs, pipes and hose that must be purchased in. To what benefit over from-the-Earth raised beds?




Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.

Top of Page