Gene Giacomelli from the Univ. of Arizona discusses hydroponics for urban farming with Martha Stewart. Arizona has 300 acres of tomatoes growing under hydroponic conditions. During the segment, Giacomelli demonstrates a couple types of hydroponic systems which can be used in home spaces. One costs $300 and can grow tomatoes, the other is very inexpensive and uses a Styrofoam cooler.
Some advantages of growing greens hydroponically are:
- Growing lettuce hydroponically has only 10% of the water loss of lettuce raised in the ground.
- Hydroponically grown lettuce can eliminate transport costs if eaten locally.
- Production of hydroponic lettuce uses far less land space as it is densely grown.