Aquaponics is the combination of two systems, aquaculture and hydroponics. Aquaculture is the art of raising fish in a controlled environment. Hydroponics is the cultivation of plants in water without soil.
These two farming methods are combined to create an elegant symbiotic relationship between plants and fish.
In this article we will look at what vegetables can be grown in Aquaponics.
| Vegetable | Ideal pH Range | Ideal Temperature Range | Harvest Time (days) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lettuce | 5.5-7.0 | 18-27°C (64-81°F) | 30-70 |
| Kale | 5.5-7.5 | 18-27°C (64-81°F) | 40-60 |
| Spinach | 6.0-7.5 | 12-24°C (54-75°F) | 35-60 |
| Swiss Chard | 6.2-7.2 | 10-30°C (50-86°F) | 25-50 |
| Arugula | 6.0-7.0 | 10-20°C (50-68°F) | 40-50 |
| Bok Choy | 6.0-7.5 | 15-22°C (59-72°F) | 45-60 |
| Watercress | 6.0-7.5 | 10-25°C (50-77°F) | 20-30 |
| Basil | 5.5-6.5 | 18-27°C (64-81°F) | 40-60 |
| Mint | 6.0-7.5 | 18-27°C (64-81°F) | 90-120 |
| Cilantro | 6.5-7.5 | 10-30°C (50-86°F) | 50-70 |
What vegetables can be grown in Aquaponics?
Aquaponics is a system of growing fish and plants together. This method has been around for a while, but it’s recently become more popular as an alternative to traditional gardening methods.
Aquaponics uses 90% less water than traditional gardening, so it’s great if you don’t have much space or if you live in an area that’s prone to drought.
It’s important to note that, although aquaponics uses less water than traditional gardening, you still need enough water for both your plants AND your fish!
However, if you’re looking for an easy way to grow vegetables while saving money on your utility bills and conserving our scarce resources (like water), then this might be the right choice for you.
Interested in the technology behind aquaponics? Take a look at our comprehensive guide on the technology behind the aquaponic garden to become an expert and understand how does it works.
1. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are one of the best vegetables to grow in aquaponics. Tomatoes are a good source of potassium, vitamin A, and vitamin C. They can be grown in any climate year-round as long as you have ample sunlight for your plants.
If you live in a cooler climate during winter months then you might want to consider getting some grow lights for your tomato plants so that they receive enough light from the sun during these months when there is little natural sunlight available.
Tomatoes do best when planted in soil that has been amended with compost or any other type of organic matter such as peat moss or worm castings (worm poop).
You should use about 3 pounds per square foot for non-hydroponic systems and 4-5 pounds per square foot for hydroponic systems depending on what kind of system you have setup at home!
2. Lettuces
Lettuce is probably the easiest vegetable to grow in aquaponics and is a good choice for beginners.
They’re fast growing, but still need plenty of nutrients to thrive. Lettuces are also easy to harvest as they don’t take up much space, so you can grow lots of them at once.
Another advantage of growing lettuce is that they produce more than one crop per season unlike other vegetables like broccoli or cauliflower where the main crop only occurs once per year.
Lettuce varieties have various colors including green, red and yellow varieties which makes them highly attractive for salad lovers!
The number of fish per litre has a direct impact on the overall success of your aquaponic system. To learn more about the optimum levels of fish and how to calculate it, read our detailed guide on Aquaponics: How Many Fish Per Litre?.
3. Cabbages
The cabbage is a leafy vegetable that grows well in aquaponics. It can be grown in large quantities and has a long growing season.
Cabbage can be eaten raw or cooked, and the leaves make great filler for burgers and meatloaf. Additionally, the leaves can be used to make sauerkraut (which requires no salt).
If you want to grow cabbages for sauerkraut production, choose an early maturing variety like ‘Early Jersey Wakefield’ which produces small heads on medium-sized plants that mature in 40 days from transplanting (naked seedlings).
If you are growing cabbage primarily for its edible leaves, select an open pollinated variety like ‘Stonehead Savoy’ or ‘Red Drumhead Savoy’ which produce large heads on tall plants that mature in 70 days from transplanting (seeded directly into beds).
4. Cucumber
Cucumbers are one of the most popular vegetables in the world. They are a cool season crop, so they are usually planted in the spring or summer. They are a vine plant, so they need to be trained on a trellis.
There are many different varieties of cucumbers that you can grow depending on if you want them to be eaten fresh or pickled and some have bumpy skin while others have smooth skin.
Are you thinking about starting your own aquaponic garden? You might be wondering about the requirements involved in the process. Our guide on what are the requirements for aquaponics answers your questions and provides you all the necessary information for getting started.
5. Spinach
Spinach is a leafy green vegetable that is commonly used in salads and other dishes. Spinach is a cool season crop that grows best in spring and fall.
Spinach can grow very well in Aquaponics because it has a shallow root system, so you don’t need to worry about your fish disturbing the roots.
6. Peas
Peas may be a cool-season crop, but they can grow in nearly any climate. Pea plants are quick growers that need to be planted early in the year. They thrive best in full sun and prefer dry, loamy soil with a pH level between 6 and 7.5.
The high protein content of peas makes them an excellent source of vitamins A, C and K; however they also contain phosphorus, potassium and magnesium all crucial nutrients for healthy plant growth.
If you’re new to aquaponics, you may have questions about what it is and how it works. Our comprehensive guide on what is an aquaponics system? How do they work? covers everything from the basics to the details, so you can learn and grow your own food with confidence.
7. Broccoli
Broccoli is a cool season crop that can be grown in aquaponics year round. This vegetable is great for adding to your diet because it’s high in vitamins C and K, potassium, calcium and fiber.
Broccoli also has many health benefits thanks to its antioxidant content. Antioxidants help prevent cancer by protecting the body from harmful chemicals called free radicals that are linked with cancer development and aging.
Broccoli Cultivation in Aquaponics
| Variety | Water Temperature Range | pH Range | Growing Time | Lighting Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calabrese Broccoli | 65°F-75°F (18°C-23°C) | 6.0 – 7.0 | 60 – 70 days | 14-16 hours daily |
| Romanesco Broccoli | 60°F-70°F (15°C-21°C) | 6.0 – 6.5 | 70 – 100 days | 12-14 hours daily |
| Broccoflower | 65°F-75°F (18°C-23°C) | 6.0 – 7.0 | 75 – 90 days | 14-16 hours daily |
8. Beans
Beans are a great crop for Aquaponics. They are easy to grow and can be grown in pots or troughs.
They can also be grown at the same time as tomatoes, which is one of the reasons why it’s a good idea to grow them together. As beans are one of the most popular foods, they are a great source of protein and could potentially make up your entire diet if you wanted to!
As far as Aquaponics goes, beans tend to mature fairly quickly so harvesting them doesn’t take up too much time from your routine.
Beans have many uses outside of making food such as acting as natural pesticides or repellants against pests because they contain chemicals called pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) which deter bugs from eating them!
9. Okra
You can grow okra in your aquaponics system. Okra is a vegetable that is often used in African, Caribbean and southern American cooking.
It has a mild taste and is a good source of vitamins A, C and K. The leaves also contain plenty of calcium which will help to strengthen your bones.
Okra can be eaten raw or cooked. You can use it in salads or stir-fries where it will add texture to the dish without overpowering the other flavours too much.
Growing vegetables in aquaponics can be an excellent way to produce your food sustainably. If you want to know how to get started, check out our step-by-step guide on how do you grow vegetables in aquaponics? to learn more and start your own garden today.
10. Peppers (both sweet and hot)
Peppers, both sweet and hot, are easy-to-grow vegetables that make excellent container plants. They can also be grown in an aquaponics system.
Peppers are a good source of vitamin C and have many health benefits
(1). They’re also very versatile with their use as condiments on pizzas or tacos, chopped up in salads and stir fries, served whole for snacking or added to sandwiches.
Pepper plants grow well indoors with lots of sunlight but can also survive in partial shade conditions outdoors. Pepper plants prefer warm climates with temperatures between 70°F – 80°F during the day and 60°F – 70°F at night
(2). Growing peppers requires rich soil with lots of nutrients that drain quickly so their roots don’t sit too long without water; however this doesn’t mean you need specific growing mediums such as perlite or vermiculite just yet!
You can start off by using regular potting soil mixed with compost until your roots have grown strong enough to handle more advanced materials like coco coir fiber–which will help prevent root rot while supporting healthy growth habits through proper drainage systems while still having room left over for air circulation!
Peppers Grown in Aquaponics
| Type of Peppers | Water Temperature Range | pH Range | Growing Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bell Peppers | 65°F-85°F (18°C-29°C) | 6.0 – 6.8 | 80 – 100 days |
| Jalapeno Peppers | 70°F-85°F (21°C-29°C) | 6.0 – 6.8 | 70 – 85 days |
| Habanero Peppers | 70°F-85°F (21°C-29°C) | 5.5 – 7.0 | 80 – 100 days |
| Cayenne Peppers | 70°F-85°F (21°C-29°C) | 6.0 – 6.8 | 80 – 100 days |
| Banana Peppers | 70°F-85°F (21°C-29°C) | 6.0 – 6.8 | 60 – 75 days |
| Cherry Peppers | 70°F-85°F (21°C-29°C) | 6.0 – 6.8 | 75 – 85 days |
11. Kale
Kale is a superfood that has been gaining popularity in recent years, with good reason. It’s a low-calorie vegetable packed full of nutrients and vitamins. Kale contains vitamins A and C, as well as potassium, iron, calcium and fiber.
Aquaponic kale can be grown just like any other type of kale it’s a great addition for your aquaponics vegetable garden!
The plants will grow quickly if you provide them with enough sunlight and water but will not survive long in areas where temperatures drop below freezing during winter months (like here in Northern California).
If you want to grow kale outdoors then spring through autumn are the best times to plant it; however if you live somewhere warmer like Florida or Hawaii then it’s possible to grow throughout most of the year just make sure there is plenty of shade available so they don’t get too hot during summer!
Conclusion
We have just taken a look at some of the most common vegetables that can be grown in aquaponics.
It is important to note that not all vegetables are suitable for this type of system, so make sure you do your research before planting anything in one.
Also remember that when growing in an aquaponic system it’s best not to overstock it with fish as they produce waste which needs to be constantly removed from the water by filtration systems such as biofilters or bio-reactors.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources for learning more about aquaponics:
How Do You Grow Vegetables in Aquaponics?: This article provides practical tips on how to grow vegetables using aquaponics, including which plants do well in this type of system.
What Are the Requirements for Aquaponics?: This article outlines the key requirements for setting up and maintaining an aquaponics system, such as the necessary equipment and water quality parameters.
What Is an Aquaponics System and How Do They Work?: This article provides a comprehensive overview of how aquaponics systems work, including the roles of fish, plants, and bacteria in the ecosystem.
Aquaponics: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide: This comprehensive guide provides step-by-step instructions for setting up and maintaining an aquaponics system, including choosing a location, selecting equipment, and troubleshooting common issues.
How Much Does an Aquaponics System Cost?: This article provides a breakdown of the costs associated with setting up an aquaponics system, including the equipment, materials, and ongoing expenses.
Canna Aquaponics: This website provides information and products for aquaponics enthusiasts, including nutrient solutions and growing media.
Best Plants for Aquaponics: This article provides a list of the best plants to grow in an aquaponics system, including information on their nutrient needs and growth habits.
FAQs
What is aquaponics?
Aquaponics is a sustainable farming method that combines aquaculture (the practice of raising fish) and hydroponics (the practice of growing plants in water). In an aquaponics system, fish waste provides nutrients for plants, which in turn purify the water for the fish.
What are the benefits of aquaponics?
Aquaponics is a highly efficient and environmentally-friendly way to grow food, as it uses less water and land than traditional farming methods. It also eliminates the need for synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, and produces both fish and vegetables in one integrated system.
What types of fish can be raised in aquaponics?
Various types of freshwater fish can be raised in an aquaponics system, including tilapia, catfish, trout, and bass. The type of fish selected should be based on factors such as water temperature, pH levels, and the size of the tank.
What types of plants can be grown in aquaponics?
A wide variety of vegetables and herbs can be grown in an aquaponics system, including lettuce, kale, tomatoes, cucumbers, and herbs like basil and mint. Leafy greens tend to do particularly well in this type of system.
How do I set up an aquaponics system?
Setting up an aquaponics system involves several key steps, including selecting a location, choosing the appropriate equipment and materials, and cycling the system to establish the necessary bacteria. It is important to research and plan carefully before embarking on an aquaponics project, as there are many variables to consider.
For 15 years, Hellen James has worked in the gardening industry as an expert and landscape designer. During her career, she has worked for a variety of businesses that specialize in landscaping and gardening from small firms to large corporations.