How to Grow Herbs in an Aquaculture Greenhouse

Fish farming, or aquaculture, combined with herb gardening creates a symbiotic system called aquaponics. In an aquaponics system, water from fish tanks circulates through plant beds to provide nitrogen and other nutrients for plants. Plants filter the water before it returns to the fish. Herbs grow well in an aquaponics system because they do not require high phosphorous levels. Nitrogen- and moisture-loving herbs grow best in an aquaponics growing system. In a temperature-controlled greenhouse, growers may produce herbs and fish year-round.

Greenhouse
Aquaponics system (including fish)
Grow media, such as expanded clay pebbles
Bucket
Well or distilled water
Water test strips for fish water analysis
Uniodized salt
Vinegar
Herbs such as basil, chives, mint, parsley, oregano and cilantro
Pruners or scissors

Instructions

- 1
  Assemble your aquaponics system according to manufacturer's instructions. Run the system for two days and then test water pH using instructions and color comparisons on the test strip bottle. Add uniodized salt to raise pH or vinegar to lower pH to about 6.8. Add fish to the system according to the instructions included with your aquaponics system.
- 2
  Rinse grow media in a bucket of water. Fill plant beds with grow media.
- 3
  Remove the herb plant from its container. Gently rinse away most of the soil from the roots.
- 4
  Pull back the growing media to create a hole for the plant roots. Bury the plant in the grow media at the same depth as it was planted in its former container.
- 5
  Test the water every few days for nitrogen, nitrates, ammonia and pH using directions and comparison colors on the test strip bottle. Replace some of the water with well or distilled water if these levels rise too high.
- 6
  Harvest one-third or less of the plant with pruners or scissors when flower buds are just beginning to open. Allow the herbs to re-grow for several weeks before trimming additional leaves.

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