Growing Fish and Vegetables Together
Aquaponics is the combining of hydroponics (growing plants in water without soil) and aquaculture (the raising of fish). The water the fish are growing in is recirculated to the plants. This recirculated water contains waste from the fish, which is full of beneficial bacteria and nutrients that feed the plants without using fertilizers. There is no need for pesticides or herbicides. Soil-borne diseases and weeds are not a worry. There’s no waste (aquaponics actually uses only 10% of the water needed to grow plants in soil), and food can be grown year round – both protein and veggie.
Vegetables That Grow with Fish
When it comes to veggies and fish grown together, very few plants are opposed to aquaponics. This is because an aquaponic system stays at a fairly neutral pH which is generally good for most aquaponic vegetables. Commercial aquaponic growers often stick with greens such as lettuce, although Swiss chard, pak choi, Chinese cabbage, collard, and watercress are becoming more common. This is because most greens grow and are ready for harvest rapidly, making the outlay to production ratio favorable. Another favorite commercial aquaponic crop is herbs. Many herbs do very well with fish. What are some other vegetables that grow with fish? Other suitable aquaponic vegetables include:
Beans
Broccoli
Cucumbers
Peas
Spinach
Squash
Zucchini
Tomatoes
Vegetables aren’t the only choice of crop, however. Fruits such as strawberries, watermelon, and cantaloupe can be used and grow well with fish. Growing fish and garden crops together is beneficial to both plant and animal in a sustainable, low impact way. It may possibly be the future of food production.
