Chapter 1: My Urban Farming Adventure

I’ve embarked on a journey as a hydroponic gardener right in my townhouse!

Soon, my garden will flourish with vibrant salad greens stretching as far as I can see. However, it currently resembles this…

These little seedlings seem fuzzy and mysterious for now, but they hold great potential. According to Collins Dictionary, “back forty” refers to the most remote area of a property, and I use it humorously, considering my kitchen is quite accessible.

That tiny sprout in the image is destined to grow into a large head of lettuce! I don’t have to fret about pests or unpredictable weather—just about eating the harvest! Currently, I have six salad greens seed pods and three herbs, with plans to try my hand at bell peppers soon.

I’m just beginning my exploration into hydroponic gardening.

Here’s a glimpse of my little farm:

I won’t mention the brand of my system, as I want to avoid any promotional implications that might get me in trouble. This is the smallest version available, but larger options exist too. A friend of mine has a bigger setup in her apartment where she successfully grows various vegetables. If you’re handy, you can even build one yourself! Here’s a guide:

In the past, I disliked using pesticides while trying to grow plants outside. I was also too lazy to spray each leaf with soapy water. Now, by gardening indoors, I’m free from the nuisances of bugs and unpredictable weather. Plus, I used to feel bad using any kind of chemical spray. “Those poor little bugs are just trying to survive,” I would think. And don’t get me started on slugs—the unofficial mascot of Oregon.

My compact hydroponic garden suits me perfectly right now.

A friend gifted me a small hydroponic system along with seed pods for flowers, thinking my mom would enjoy observing their growth. She was correct; I found it fascinating too! The thrill of seeing the first sprout was exhilarating, and my mom loved watching the flowers bloom.

My garden even came with a trellis option for growing vine vegetables.

For a more extensive hydroponic setup, you can check out this resource:

Chef John Mooney, a restaurateur in New York City, cultivates his produce on the building's rooftop, needing only to navigate a few flights of stairs to gather his harvest. No soil is necessary—nutrients are delivered through the water system. My setup alerts me when to replenish water and nutrients. His system is considerably larger than mine, though I often ponder about the challenges of pests and bird waste!

With climate change and soil degradation, hydroponics presents a viable solution for growing food in limited spaces without requiring soil or vast land. It could also help address the issue of “food deserts,” where communities lack access to gardening resources or grocery stores.

In the U.S., about 54 million people face food insecurity, and 23.5 million reside in food deserts. The global situation is even more alarming, with hundreds of millions suffering from food insecurity. The effects of food deserts extend beyond just physical health, impacting entire communities.

Imagine if everyone could have their own hydroponic garden at home or if apartments were equipped with rooftop systems! It would be amazing if children got involved in gardening and, as a result, developed a taste for vegetables by watching them grow.

Hydroponics isn't a new concept. Have you heard of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon? These ancient wonders were said to have utilized a similar system to my modest “farm,” dating back to 600 B.C.

For more on the Hanging Gardens, check out this article:

Notably, Francis Bacon, a prominent British scientist, wrote about hydroponics in the 1600s. Although it wasn’t published until after his death, it sparked significant interest and became a bestseller on platforms like the New York Times list and Amazon!

Let’s play a game reminiscent of my childhood in swimming pools. Trust me, it’s relevant!

You start by closing your eyes and shouting “MARCO!” The others respond with “POLO!” while you try to tag someone. For more details about the game, visit:

Marco Polo, the renowned explorer, observed floating agriculture (similar to hydroponics) in China during his travels. Imagine rafts with vegetable roots submerged in the lake for nutrients—voilà! Food! Or, if Marco Polo were here today, he might exclaim:

?nan?lmaz! Sallarda yeti?en yiyecekler!

That translates to "Amazing! Food grown on rafts!" (Okay, maybe not exactly that last part.)

He was proficient in multiple languages, including Turkish, Venetian, Persian, French, Mongolian, and even Pig Latin. Quite the linguist!

The Aztecs also utilized hydroponic methods, demonstrating that this technique has a rich history and is becoming increasingly relevant.

One of the best features of my tiny garden is the lighting system, which resembles something from an alien spacecraft. You can’t see that in my previous images, so here it is:

If you’re in a dark rural area and catch a glimpse of this, prepare for some fun!

For further reading, check out this article that inspired my hydroponic journey:

I’ll keep you updated on my progress in the future. Thank you for visiting! If you’ve stayed long enough to highlight, clap, and comment, I might even send you some of my harvest! (Just kidding, but I’ll certainly be grateful!)