Microgreens on a windowsill
Microgreens are seedlings harvested 7–14 days after sowing — intensely nutritious and fast. A 10×20 tray on a sunny south windowsill grows radish, broccoli, mustard, and pea shoots year-round. They supplement meals; they are not a calorie source. Use food-grade trays and clean seed.
Tips
- • Use dedicated microgreen seed — treated seed is not safe for sprouting.
- • Bottom-water to avoid damping-off disease on the soil surface.
- • Harvest with clean scissors; refrigerate unwashed in a sealed bag for up to 5 days.
Hydroponics basics
Hydroponics grows plants in nutrient-rich water without soil. A simple deep-water-culture (DWC) system — a tub, an air pump, net pots, and nutrient solution — grows lettuce, herbs, and greens efficiently indoors under grow lights. Tomatoes and peppers need more light and support. Buy a kit before building your own.
Tips
- • Use a TDS/EC meter — guessing nutrient strength kills crops.
- • Change the reservoir solution every 1–2 weeks; pH drift starves plants.
- • LED grow lights at 12–16 hours per day replace sun for indoor fruiting crops.
Aquaponics
Aquaponics combines fish (typically tilapia or catfish) with hydroponics — fish waste feeds plants, plants filter water for fish. It is productive but complex: you are managing two living systems. Start only after you have run a simple hydroponic system successfully. Georgia's warm climate helps; indoor systems need a heated tank in winter.
Tips
- • Cycle the system for 4–6 weeks before adding fish — beneficial bacteria must establish.
- • Tilapia are the standard because they tolerate crowding and eat cheap feed.
- • Check Georgia aquaculture regulations before purchasing fish.
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