Hi Nate, it seems we have a bit in common. I too view vertical growing as a major benefit and have developed several systems of my own.

I have a few questions for you. I was wondering what you do with the root systems after you sell/ harvest the veggies? The second question is what kind of pump do you use and how many columns does each pump supply?

 

I am in the process of building a 350 sq ft perpetual harvest solar greenhouse using aquaponics to grow vegetables year round  for my family.  If I am successful with this I may consider expanding it and doing it commercially.  In some of the remarks between you and Kobus you mention other markets besides grocery stores, restaurants, farmers markets, and selling at fruit stands.  I am not familiar with these other markets.  Maybe I am overlooking other markets for organic vegetables.  What has been the most successful marketing strategy for you?  Thanks, Brad

Hi Nate.  Thanks for all your great contributions in here lately!  I've just added you to the Featured members bar at the top of the Members page as a small appreciation.  Keep it up, buddy!

Yes I need help, lol. I am wondering if this Meramec Gravel C will work for
my grow beds?

We'd be happy to try out your towers, and send people in the right direction to get them.  The project i started is just getting underway.  Funding is so tight these days, so any help goes a long way. 

I am also trying to get some high school kids to do there science projects here.  Hopefully we will have our first round of students in the fall.

 

That sounds great! I hope things are going well for you - I am currently looking into marketing of the product.  Are you conducting your research on campus? Are your products associated with the University? How many students are working with you?  Does your University integrate aquaponics into the classroom? What kind of software development are you producing? What has been your greatest challenge?  Sorry for all the questions but I am very much interested in what different Universities are doing.

Nate, thanks ever so much, I'll be checking.

Thats a nice quick basil harvest.  What size is your greenhouse, and what kind of covering you got on there?  Do you heat, or add supplemental light during winter months?  Im experimenting with different lighting techniques for indoor vertical gardening.  Using artificial light makes growing vertical a little more challenging.  Right now ive got vertical HID bulbs on light rails, ill let you know how that goes.  Enjoy your Sunday :)    Did you have a good view of the moon last night?  It was a "supermoon"

Thats awsome that your wee able to see some Chinese mushrooms ops.  They have really pioneered the mushrooms growing industry.  Great story; all we have is crap, but were still gonna make it!

 We started the company last fall, and are just really getting things underway this year.  We sold our products at farmers markets and coops last year.  I have put mushroom production on halt while i rebuild and upgrade the fruiting and inoculation area.  I should be done here on Monday, and inoculating the first batch of the new growing area this Tuesday.  I love oyster mushrooms! 

You really seem to have things going on in the aquaponic department :)  Your zip grow towers look like an amazing product.  How long is it taking you to get your basil in them to harvest?

Hi Nate,
It's been going good, thanks for asking. Love the zip grow photos! Can't wait to hear about your latest project. Hope all is well. :)

Nate I am unable to drop the PH in my system. Hit a wall at 7.6 . I check my GH general hardness and KH Kinetic hardness and found that my GH is off the charts hard. So looking for a way to lower that without having to import soft water. I am on a well. Lots of Manganese and calcium are keeping my PH high. Take care ...........D

whats up nate , the reason i made the statement was because of the unique influx of nutrients that occur during shedding ,The volume of phosphates and valent calcium and magnesium  are incredible.We are trying to create a transmission for that system right now.Love those towers  Would like to buy some wholesale,talked to sylvia she said to contact you.Deveveloping a nonprofit  educational  program,  like your towers better than  the round pvc ,just cant make it work anywhere near the retail level.I I was really trying to bait some one on a discussion.not downplay anyones accomplishments.My expertise lies in hatchery technologyof this animal not in system development.How about i change that to "redclaw, nitro for your aquaponic system."

 

Im involved with the only farm left in the usa that can  ship stickfins in florida.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Scott

 

 

Thanks Nate. I am currently buried under a few inches of snow and am eagerly awaiting spring. I have been running around gathering DIY materials for a hoophouse and AP system as well as researching info on my new hobby. I hope to set up a few gravel ebb and flow tables, a few raft tables and some vertical systems. So far I love your Zip towers and Sahib's babylon towers. This community is a great info tool and everyone seems very friendly and knowledgeable! As soon as I get some things going I plan on sharing a lot of photos and stories of my journey

Nate thanks for the heating info. The greenhouse is 30x60. I am making a solar collector to heat the water in the tank. I realized this wont solve all my problems but it cant hurt. Ill take pics and send them . Take er easy Tower king. haha.

Nate I can only aspire to get to your level. I am located 60 miles east of Reno  in Fallon Nv. We are at 4500 elevation. I see you are using modine heaters but how are you heating the water.

No problem man, thanks for the feedback. I actually purchased three of your towers yesterday to be shipped to Miami and then here to me in Jamaica. I noticed that when you harvest you seem to harvest the entire plant and then right off at the base of the stem... Is that for any particular reason?

Thanks Nate I just couldnt get my brain in that mode. I also wanted to ask you about the tower planters. They look like a way to grow a lot of plants in a small space.How many of these could I put in a 15 X 60 space which is about half of the green house that I'm building first to see if this idea is going to work. I'm hoping vine plants along with strawberries [if I can find some that produce year around] will grow good in thes towers.

Nate: I recently read an older post where you stated one greenhouse should be orenated NS and 2 would be EW. I'm not sure I understand the reasoning. I plan on building one soon but will build more if things work out. Space is no problem.Thanks for all the info even that posted earlier. L F tositnspit@yahoo.com

Hi Nate-
Do you have a source for the tower media that can be readily purchased. Do you have suggestions for other types of media that could be purchased locally?