The practice of hydroponic growing has reached Anglesey, North Wales.  A demonstration hydroponic unit has been set up here at Cae Gwyn, Carmel, near Llannerchymedd.

The unit, in a 60ft x 20ft polytunnel, has been developed by Menter Mon, the island's regeneration agency, and farm consultancy Madryn Cyf.

 Funding came from the European Leader + programme, Anglesey County Council and the Welsh Assembly of Wales, with uncosted inputs from owners Rowena and Philip Mansfield.

Once a system is up-and running, it is fairly cheap to maintain as fewer inputs are needed compared with conventional, soil-based cultivation. For a start, it is less labour-intensive.

As water is recycled, hydroponic systems conserve water by as much as 90% compared to field growing conditions. And because it's a closed system, with no nutrients leaching into soils, there are good environmental arguments for going down this route.

Nutrient-rich water is pumped, sprayed or dripped onto plant roots in a controlled environment. At Cae Gwyn, the water is pumped along troughs, like guttering, which are raised waist-high on benches- this is called an NFT system (nutrient film technique).

We also grow in containers containing perlite- using a drip system.

2nd July 2006 -

opening day refreshments - visitors came from 2pm to 6pm

Now for some photos of some of the plants

                    Basil                                        Lettuce

Cabbage greyhound                                          Okra

Peppers                                                              Mizuna

Sage,chives,runner beans                                  Some flowers

                    Pakchoi                                    Lasso rosso lettuce

Helychrysum hanging to dry                       Wombok (chinese cabbage)

                     OKRA still fruiting                                   OKRA still flowering !

Mizuma has proved very popular

American Cress with a strong peppery bite to it.

Strong growing Rosemary                           Stevia -or sweet herb of Paraguay-

                                                           the leaves have been harvested throughout

                                                                   this year - and still growing!

As lettuces are harvested                                         Now thats what you call a Marigold !

young seedlings take their place.

October 2006 growth - things are looking good.

7th November 06 -

 lettuces,pak choi still growing well despite a frost.

Sylvesta a butterhead type lettuce

November 25th 2006

Lettuces seem to like the cooler environment!

Feverfew still producing strong aromatic leaves.

A bumble bee tucking into a late calendula feast !

The hydrodome still producing quality produce late November.

Christmas Day 25th December 2006

Calendula, Wombok  and mizuma still growing and producing !

Note: Strawberries and tarragon dying back in the cold -

this is normal and new growth will appear when the weather warms up in the spring