Economic Climate (28,000,000   are on food stamps. Source:   USDA April 2009)

Other conditions such as Drought   (view Drought  video below),   Pestilence, Plague, Labor,   Transportation, Distribution, and   Political Famine lead to an   unpredictable future.

According to a recent CNBC report, 850,000 of California farmland will lay fallow which will in turn increase our price of food.

Why Hydroponics?

Hydroponics is the science of growing plants without soil in water containing high levels of dissolved nutrients.

Advantages of Using Hydroponics

• HIGH DENSITY:  estimated hydroponic production is about 3.72 pounds per square foot
• Faster growth by 20-30%
• Less labor (no stooping or hoeing)
• No weeds
• No insect damage
• No plant stress
• 100% Water and Fertilization
• 100% germination
• Higher densities

Why Raised Beds?

Raised-bed gardening is a form of gardening in which the soil is formed in 3 to 4 foot (1.0 - 1.2m) wide beds, which can be of any length or shape.

Advantages of Raised Beds/Square Foot Gardening

• HIGH DENSITY:  good management may yield about 1.24 pounds of vegetables per square foot
• Maximize yields with minimal space
• Overcome soil fertility problems
• Garden closer to your house
• Fewer bugs (especially with attached insect screening)
• Less water is required
• Less weeds and messy plants
• Uniform and organized plants (great-looking gardens)

Why Hydroponics AND Raised-Bed Gardening?

• High Volume Production
• Wide Variety of Vegetation
• Year-round fresh vegetables

Ken Rambo has an extensive iris collection. You may view his assortment of irises in the Hydroponist Group under photos:  Hydroponic Flowers & Raised Beds.

Your membership allows you to communicate with Dwight and other gardeners via this web site and the Hydroponist Group. Membership is only $65 per year allowing you access to the following services:

Valuable Gardening Information:

Gardener’s Calendar – a spring, summer, and fall calendar provides you with a step-by-step schedule of when to plant, transfer, cut, and harvest specific vegetation.

Vegetable Production – from asparagus to zucchini, we’ll provide all a gardener needs to know about various vegetables.

Interactive Communications:

Ask Dwight – you may contact Dwight with any gardening question and challenges you are facing.  Dwight Sitta has a master’s degree in Agricultural Business and over 30 years experience in gardening.

Network for Food Exchange:

Annabel – allows you to contact other gardeners in your area.  Whether you want to post or search for produce, swapping food with others will be at your fingertips.  It’s the “Craig’s List” for gardeners!

Getting Started with Step-by-Step Instructions:

Build a hydroponic unit

Construct a raised bed

Assemble a hydroponic solar unit

Create cold frames

Variable Resources:

Heirloom Seeds – sources selling seeds that reproduce year after year from the same plant; these are seeds that are not genetically engineered.

Freezing/Canning Information – learn how to store the food you harvest

Recipes – helpful recipes using produce from your garden

News & Views – Christian perspectives on our economic and political climate

PLEASE NOTE:  The approximate cost to build a hydroponic unit ranges from $175 - $500

  Bring your family and friends to find out what’s new in gardening for you!

Click here to go to the Seminar Schedule to see dates, times, and locations near you.