What is Hydroponics ?

Our hydroponic farm grows crops in a controlled environment without soil, using water, fans blowing cool air, spectrum grow lighting and plant specific recipes of natural and organic nutrients. This makes it highly efficient—plants grow faster, use 90% less water, and have higher yields in considerably less space. Many equate this as a “spa day for plants”. You can grow food year-round, even in places where farming isn’t usually possible, like urban and suburban areas impacted by climate challenges, land supply, and economic viability. It is important to note that there has been more awareness about food safety and quality in recent years, which has helped educate consumers and spark interest in healthier food options.  Our systems mimic optimal plant growing environments to produce consistent, nutrient rich harvests regardless of the season. The ability to grow in urban and suburban areas enhances freshness and market access.

What Methods Do We Use?

While there are many ways to grow hydroponically, we specialize in two methods known as Nutrient Film Technique and Ebb & Flow.

Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)

NFT is a hydroponic technique whereby a very shallow stream of water containing all the dissolved nutrients required for plant growth is re-circulated past the bare roots of plants in a watertight gully, also known as channels. In an ideal system, the depth of the recirculating stream is very shallow, little more than a film of water, hence the name 'nutrient film'. This ensures that the thick root mat which develops in the bottom of the channel receives adequate air exposure. This method is ideal for leafy greens and edible flowers. We have designed our systems to achieve maximum yield, efficiency, and quality for our customers.

Ebb & Flow System

Ebb & Flow systems (also known as flood and drain) work by periodically soaking the plant roots in a nutrient solution and then draining it away, either back into a reservoir to be reused or directly to waste. The key idea is to flood the roots with nutrients on some predetermined cadence, then drain the solution, exposing the roots to air and oxygen. This cycle promotes healthy growth by giving plants the perfect mix of nutrients and oxygen while preventing overwatering or root rot. At Leaf Water Farms, we use this technique in a few different ways. It is ideal microgreens, early-stage lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and more. We use tray-based methods for microgreens and early stage lettuce while other vegetable do better in bato bucket-based systems.