LODESTAR GARDENS & Learning Center
Projects for 2014
Creating a Fertigation System for a High Tunnel Growing Space
Based on our research and Sylvia Bernstein’s work Aquaponics, we presently pump water from a pond containing 95,000 gallons of water and (home for catfish, trout and striped bass) to six growing beds in a nearby high tunnel. We are preparing to add an aquaponics system whereby the water used by the plants in the growing tunnel is reclaimed and recirculated in the growing process. The pond is a great source of fun after a long, hot day working in the garden. In the middle photo the white pipe carries the water via solar energy from the 600 ft deep well that feeds and replenishes the pond. The pond is home to a many variety of wild birds and our five pet ducks. The high tunnel is 200 ft from the pond (middle photo background) and it is also fertilized by blue-green algae infused into the irrigation system by a solar-powered pump. Blue-Green Algae tank bottom photo.