Comment

Comment by Bob Campbell on July 20, 2012 at 3:55pm

@Joe - Wow thanks that was a really great reply!

I'm in the process of expanding my system, but I was hesitant to do it if there was no chance of a winter garden.   Sounds like a small solar heater would do wonders for the production.

Comment by joe on July 20, 2012 at 1:07pm

@Bob Campbell

Outdoor aquaponics systems work fine in the winter. There are issues though. Plants you can grow include onion, broccoli, cabbage family, carrots, spinach, lettuce, and celery. There may be others that I can't think of at the moment. My water will get down to 32.5 F. The water is almost frozen yet the plants will still survive and won't have any damage.

However, "plants will grow" is a relative term in winter. They will not actually grow when the water is 32.5F. They will survive, but I could not find any evidence of any "growing". That doesn't mean they won't grow during winter though, because temperatures fluctuate day to day during winter. As soon as there is a warm day where the water temps are in the 50-60's F and the sun is out, they will explode with pent-up growth.

I typically have more lettuce, spinach, and celery than I can manage to eat. Broccoli and cabbage take up so much space in the beds, and take so long to form decent sized heads, that I will not get very many meals from them. If you eat the leaves as collards then you may be able to get more out of them.

Also one must consider the fish. Many species will not survive 32.5F. Catfish will survive, but will not eat, and so would not be fertilizing the plants. Trout aren't bothered by the extreme cold. On a day when the water was 32.5F I would feed them, and the trout would eat just as voraciously. They were affected by drops in the barometer though. If a storm was due in the next day they wouldn't touch the food, even if the temperature was pleasant.

Trout produce so much waste that the plants can't take it all up. The bacteria and worms do fine in breaking it down, so ammonia will not be an issue. The nitrates will just go off the chart and won't come back down to a readable level until spring.

Comment by Justin on July 20, 2012 at 10:51am

Dept. of Fish and Game Aquaculture Coordinator Randy Lovell teaching 

aquaponics at the California State Fair.

Comment by Paul Trudeau on July 20, 2012 at 9:28am

Randy Lovell, whom some of you may have met through the State Fair project and/or the "Discover Aquaponics" event in Sacramento earlier this month, has been appointed Aquaculture Coordinator for the State Dept. of Fish and Game.  See http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/group/californiaaquaponics/...

 

Comment by Bob Campbell on July 19, 2012 at 11:12pm

I'm wondering how well outdoor aquaponic systems work in the winter.  
It's not the fish I'm concerned about, I'm OK with either peeponics or cool water fish. 

I'm just guessing but I imagine the water gets down into the 50's.

So when the water temperatures drop, I'm wondering how well the winter crops like asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, onions,  peas, radishes, and spinach will grow.   I'm especially interested in growing spinach and lettuce but I don't want to spend money on a heater.

This is my outdoor system

Comment by Janet Little on July 17, 2012 at 12:08pm

I didn't consider the fact that the plants use a lot of water.  I am adding water almost everyday and I figured it was the heat. I can't believe the cool day we are having today. I almost worry about the temp of my Tilapia tank.

Comment by Bob Campbell on July 15, 2012 at 4:45pm

I've only got 32 sq ft planted, and my vegetables are sucking up about 50 gallons of water a day.  I think the squash are the most thirsty!

Looking forward to Fall. 

Comment by Fishy McFisherson on July 14, 2012 at 7:39pm

Jackpot!

If anyone needs duckweed, let me know before tomorrow morning around 10am. I'm at my mom's ranch this weekend and she has a 12' round cattle trough fed by a natural spring that is absolutely covered in the stuff. No pesticides, no nothing. Good clean rampant duckweed. I'll bring home as much as there is demand for.

Comment by Orion Dillon on July 12, 2012 at 10:57am

Thanks bob here is one for right now

Comment by Bob Campbell on July 12, 2012 at 10:10am

@Orion -  It might help to add a few photos

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