Leah Brooks

“Inspiring Healthy Living Around the World”

“The best way to garden is to put on a wide brimmed straw hat and some old clothes. And with a hoe in one hand and a cold drink in the other, tell

somebody else where to dig.”

What is Hydroponics?

Hydroponics is a term applied to the cultivation of plants in nutrient solutions without the use of soil. Nutrients are supplied in liquid solutions; and plants are supported by porous materials, such as peat, sand, or rockwool, that acts as a wick to relay nutrient solution to the roots.

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Hydroponics: Faster Growth, Greater Yield, Healthier Plants“Hydroponics is proved to have several advantages over soil gardening. The growth rate on a hydroponic plant is 30-50 percent faster than a soil plant, grown under the same conditions. The yield of the plant is also greater. …..The extra oxygen in the hydroponic growing mediums helps to stimulate root growth. Plants with ample oxygen in the root system also absorb nutrients faster. The nutrients in a hydroponic system are mixed with the water and sent directly to the root system. The plant does not have to search in the soil for the nutrients that it requires. Those nutrients are being delivered to the plant several times per day. The hydroponic plant requires very little energy to find and break down food. The plant then uses this saved energy to grow faster and to produce more fruit. “http://www.hydroponics.net/learn/hydroponic_gardening_for_beginners.asp

Hydroponics: Better for the Environment“Hydroponic gardening also offers several benefits to our environment. Hydroponic gardening uses considerably less water than soil gardening, because of the constant reuse the nutrient solutions. Due to lack of necessity, fewer pesticides are used on hydroponic crops. Since hydroponic gardening systems use no topsoil, topsoil erosion isn't even an issue. Although, if agricultural trends continue to erode topsoil and waste water, hydroponics may soon be our only solution. “http://www.hydroponics.net/learn/hydroponic_gardening_for_beginners.asp Photo: http://www.simplyhydro.com/system.htm

Aeroponics: A Specialized Form of Hydroponics

“Aeroponics is a way of growing plants without soil and with very little water. Using this method means you can grow vertically as well as horizontally, so it can be a great way of saving space. With aeroponics, plants are put into special A frames or horizontal boards, in such a way that both the top of the plant, the crown, and the bottom of the plant, the roots, are suspended in the air. In this way the crown can grow upward and the roots downward without needing any soil at all. The growers feed the plants by spraying them on a regular basis with a fine mist of a nutrient-rich, water-mix solution. As the whole system is enclosed, you save water because the nutrient mix is fully recycled within the aeroponics systems design.”http://home.howstuffworks.com/lawn-garden/professional-landscaping/alternative-methods/what-is-aeroponics.htm

Benefits of Aeroponics•If you grow vertically, you can grow lots of produce in a small area•No soil borne diseases & far less pests•Minimal use of pesticides (often not needed at all)•Healthier plants with greater nutritional density = healthier humans•Saves 90-95% of the water used in ground gardening•No agricultural run-off because the water is recycled & reused within the system•Faster growth (up to 3x faster)•After the initial start-up costs, huge money savings over ground gardening•Better for the farmer (reduced exposure to pesticides, dangerous equipment and machinery)•Wonderful in areas with poor soil and limited water•Extends growing seasons by several weeks (for example, lettuce in Florida)

Aeroponics have been extensively researched by NASA. Why NASA & Aeroponics?

Water is Heavy!To Grow Cleaner No Soil = Less Disease

To Grow Crops Faster and HealthierHigher Nutrient Density = Healthier Astronauts

NASA’s Amazing Research into Aeroponics“…..growers choosing to employ the aeroponics method can reduce water usage by 98 percent, fertilizer usage by 60 percent, and pesticide usage by 100 percent, all while maximizing their crop yields by 45 to 75 percent. By conserving water and eliminating harmful pesticides and fertilizers used in soil, growers are doing their part to protect the Earth. -NASA’s Spinoff Magazine, 2006, “Progressive Plant Growing Has Business Growing”

“Moreover, the NASA SBIR results demonstrated that this aeroponic technology delivers an 80-percent increase in dry weight biomass per square meter, when compared to hydroponic and soil-based growing techniques. (When a dry weight measurement is taken, all water is removed from roots, leaves, and stems—thereby, removing water from the biomass.) These results essentially proved that aeroponically grown plants uptake more minerals and vitamins compared to other growing techniques.”

-NASA’s Spinoff Magazine, 2006, “Progressive Plant Growing Has Business Growing”

This kale plants contains more vitamins and

minerals than conventionally grown kale!

More than just vitamins and minerals…thousands of phytonutrients to support my skin, heart, brain, and

immune system and protect me from cancer. This type of nutrition just

simply cannot be found in a vitamin pill!

Tim Blank

A pioneer in the field of aeroponics is our very own Tim Blank, from Eustis, FL. Tim took this futuristic growing technique from the theme park to our back yards!

From 2000 - 2005, Tim Blank was Chief Horticulturist at Epcot Center. He managed a team of scientists and horticultural interns. Tim co-authored several academic papers pertaining to the extensive collaborative research at The Land.

Tim spent several years developing a simple, easy to use, easy to maintain, easy to clean aeroponic system that gives everyone the opportunity to grow super healthy, super vibrant vegetables in their back yard!

Beyond NASA: Aeroponic Gardening For The Rest of Us

We serve an amazing God!

Aeroponic Gardening…not just for astronauts!

Tower Garden® is a state-of-the-art vertical aeroponic growing system. It’s perfect for rooftops, decks, patios,

balconies, terraces—just about any relatively sunny place outside. For families, the future of gardening is now!

The Tower Garden® Why Tower Gardens?

• We know that aeroponic gardening has many benefits

• No weeding, tilling, kneeling, or getting dirty

• No gardening experience is necessary• Fits easily on urban patios, decks, porches,

balconies, terraces, or rooftop gardens• Grows many fruits and almost any

vegetable, herb, or flower• Grow 20 to 28 plants in one Tower• Uses less than 10% of traditional growing

nutrients & water• Produce crops in less time than it takes to

grow in soil• Extends the growing season• ***Made from USDA-approved, UV-

stabilized, food-grade plastic• Designed to last for a lifetime• Fun and educational for the whole family

Tower Gardens in the News

O’Hare Airport, Chicago

Roof top Restaurant, New York CityBell, Book and Candle

Urban Garden Chicago O’Hare Airport

Tower Garden Plant TrialsMay, 2012 in Indiana

5 week old mustard greens seedlings grown in soil

5 week old mustard green seedlings grown in the Tower Garden

Pictures used with permission © Tom Corson-Knowles

Look at the size of the leaf on the aeroponically grown plant! (Background: sugar snap peas).

Pictures used with permission © Tom Corson-Knowles

Malabar Spinach Plant TrialMay 2012, Enterprise, FL

Towers Will Grow Just About Anything!

FruitsWatermelon, Melon,

Tomato, Strawberries

Vegetables Cucumber, Bush Beans,

Eggplant, Okra, Spinach,

Rabe, Zucchini Squash,

Summer Squash, Peppers, Cutting Celery

HerbsParsley, Thyme, Basil, Cilantro, Fennel, Sage, Rosemary, Dill, Lavender, Stevia, Onion, Chives, Edible Flowers

 Lettuces Bibb Lettuce, Red Summer Crisp, Green Summer Crisp, “Gourmet Mix”, “Spicy Mix”, Leaf lettuce, Romaine, Water Cress, Kale, Beet Greens 

Use your imagination!

Our Tower Garden AdventureBegan March, 2011

28 minutes to assemble!

The next day, we planted

our garden in 8 minutes.

A little over 3 weeks later!

Day 24

By May, 2011, we’re hooked! Now we have three Tower Gardens on a 10 ft. x 3ft. space on our back porch.

Our Towers, Feb.2012

Huge, healthy lettuce plants

Three lettuce plants (already harvested multiple times) ~ last harvest yields 10 gallons of lettuce!

These Swiss chard plants are vibrant, beautiful, healthy, and completely free of pests and disease. About a year old, they’ve provided approximately 100 harvests

of delicious greens for our dinner table! For the initial investment of only $1 a plant, we’ve enjoyed at least $300 worth of beyond organic produce!

Tomatoes on toast, fresh salad, stir fry, raw and cooked peppers are just a few ways we enjoy our daily harvest of fresh vegetables and fruits!

2012 ~ Pembroke Pines, FLOur experience is ‘typical’ and has been repeated all over the country!

Two weeks later, January 30, 2012

Planted from seedlings grown in rock wool

January 17, 2012

Three weeks later, February 7, 2012

With Tomato Cage Added

Fully grown at 6 weeks of age!

5 weeks from plantingFebruary 19, 2012

4 weeks from plantingFebruary 13, 2012

6 weeks from plantingFebruary 26, 2012

The Dirty Dozen List!

“This year we have expanded the Dirty Dozen™ with a Plus category to highlight two crops -- green beans and leafy greens, meaning, kale and collard greens – that did not meet traditional Dirty Dozen™ criteria but were commonly contaminated with highly toxic organophosphate insecticides. These insecticides are toxic to the nervous system and have been largely removed from agriculture over the past decade. But they are not banned and still show up on some food crops.”

Tower Garden® Growing SystemThe complete Growing System includes:• Tower Garden vertical aeroponic garden• Seeds for growing gourmet lettuce, cherry tomatoes, beefsteak tomatoes, basil, and cucumber• Seed starter enviro-dome• 20 rock fiber seed starter plugs and net pots• Pump, timer and drain tube• Tower Tonic® plant food (1 qt each) • pH test kit and 1 bottle each of pH+ & pH-• 100 ml measuring cup

Payment Options:• 12 payments of $43/month or $499 one- time payment• Plus applicable shipping and tax. First installment will include entire $50 shipping charge.

https://leahbrooks.towergarden.com/

Trout Lake Nature CenterTrout Lake Nature Center on the northern edge of Eustis is a 230-acre wildlife preserve dedicated to increasing environmental awareness and education in the Lake County community. The center has a 1,000-foot boardwalk extending into Trout Lake, interpretive trails, a museum/classroom center (Charles Newell Hall) and an environmental-education center that houses a meeting room, library and gift shop.

God's GardenTHE Lord God planted a gardenIn the first white days of the world,And He set there an angel wardenIn a garment of light enfurled.

So near to the peace of Heaven,That the hawk might nest with the wren,For there in the cool of the evenGod walked with the first of men.

And I dream that these garden-closesWith their shade and their sun-flecked sodAnd their lilies and bowers of roses,Were laid by the hand of God.

The kiss of the sun for pardon,The song of the birds for mirth,--One is nearer God's heart in a gardenThan anywhere else on earth.

For He broke it for us in a gardenUnder the olive-treesWhere the angel of strength was the wardenAnd the soul of the world found ease.

Dorothy Frances Gurney