We drove through Buckingham last week on our way home from errands and shopping. It's an area of Fort Myers that has been set aside as a rural preserve.
We'd read about Buckingham Hydroponic Farms but had never been there. This time, we decided to stop for our weekly produce shopping.
The stand was neat and clean and the man running it was happy to answer questions about hydroponic farming (click the blue for Wiki's definition). Visitors aren't allowed to wander in the growing areas because of the possibility of contamination, but I was able to get these pictures over the fences.
It was interesting to learn how they grow different crops in the same column of planters. Crops that need more water would be at the top with those that need less at the bottom of the row. And the symetrical columns were pleasant to look at, almost an artistic arrangment. And the same number of acres obviously can support a lot more food grown this way.
We bought strawberries and tomatoes and some lettuce and greens. The produce is organic (according to the guy at the stand) and of course, since it is grown in mineral-enriched water instead of soil, it was very clean.
But we weren't convinced that it tasted as good as the same crops grown in good old-fashioned soil. It's probably completely irrational, but it seems to me that food needs some dirt. (Maybe it's just that when I wash my produce I feel like I'm contributing something to the whole process.)
We'll continue to shop at the "regular" farm store for the most part (besides it's closer). But I'll probably give this one another shot when we're in the neighborhood.
Who else in OUR WORLD has tried hydroponic gardening? -- Or eaten any hydroponically-grown food? Is it the wave of the future?
Thank you to Jenn and the OUR WORLD TUESDAY team.
I've never grown any, but I've eaten vegetables grown this way a few times. I suppose we could all save some money and grow our own...
Posted by: pat | April 23, 2013 at 06:16 PM
I've never visited a hydroponic garden before, and found this very interesting, Sallie. I'm not particularly addicted to dirt, and find enough dirt comes into our house on the dog and on our shoes (which we remove in the entrance hall) so the idea of growing in mineral-rich water sounds rather attractive.
Really enjoyed your photos.
K
Posted by: Kay L. Davies | April 18, 2013 at 03:53 PM
I think like you, Sallie ! For me, vegetables need dirt ! We buy ours just in a little farm. Each thursday, we drive there and we take our "basket" : we have not to pay, because we have paid before (three times an half year). We never know what 'll be in our basket. It's a weekly surprise !
Posted by: Annie | April 17, 2013 at 03:03 AM
wow interesting! never heard of this until now.
Posted by: Leslie | April 16, 2013 at 10:45 PM
soudns great. And looks good. I have not tried it as I don´t know of any place here.
Posted by: NatureFootstep Photo | April 16, 2013 at 10:16 PM
Looks like a very cool place. It's amazing what is possible.
Posted by: SandyCarlson | April 16, 2013 at 08:09 PM
I guess it shows you how much growth can occur when land has to be set aside as strictly rural. Love the growing things in the hydroponic farm...really cool!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
Posted by: Linda | April 16, 2013 at 01:48 PM
Thanks for sharing...this place looks very neat :)Have a great day!
Shantana
Posted by: NatureStop | April 16, 2013 at 11:55 AM
Fantastic photos and place:) Greetings
Posted by: ZielonaMila | April 16, 2013 at 08:25 AM
Isn't it amazing? I visited a hydroponic farm not too long ago, and it just blew me away.
Posted by: Mama Zen | April 16, 2013 at 07:26 AM
Hi Sallie! This is very interesting! I wonder if these plants develop the same roots as the plants growing in soil. I know that some branches of bushes develop roots if you put them in a vase of water. Thank you for sharing this. I had never heard of this before. So I learnt something new today!
Posted by: Reader Wil | April 16, 2013 at 07:26 AM
They are well taken care of.
No dirt. No butterflies? no bugs? no birds?
Posted by: Rainfield | April 16, 2013 at 06:26 AM
Wow, is this impressive, or what? Outstanding.
Posted by: Hootin' Anni | April 16, 2013 at 06:04 AM
TOH used to grow Hydroponic tomatoes on our deck years ago but he's lost interest in the fad. I agree with last commenter, lettuce are grown that way. I can't see how it can be called organic if they are fed chemicals.
Posted by: diane | April 16, 2013 at 05:33 AM
I think a lot of the lettuce we eat is grown this way - some come in very small pots with roots coming out of the bottom and no soil anywhere to be seen.
Seem strange to be a talking about lettuce on a day like this.
Stewart M - Melbourne
Posted by: scmonckton@optusnet.com.au | April 16, 2013 at 05:02 AM
What a nice place !
Posted by: Gattina | April 16, 2013 at 12:34 AM
das wirkt ja super..komme gleich und pflücke etwas ab
LG in den Tag vom katerchen
Posted by: Name katerchen | April 15, 2013 at 11:12 PM
Very interesting, I've never tried products from hydroponic farming, should be compared flavors!
Saludos.
Posted by: Leovi | April 15, 2013 at 10:56 PM
How interesting! It does look clean... I don't think hydroponic farming has come to Sweden yet.
Posted by: ladyfi | April 15, 2013 at 09:06 PM
I have never heard of this type of farming. People are always thinking of ways to improve and be more efficient. I like it! If it's healthy and tastes good I have no problem with it.
Posted by: Gail | April 15, 2013 at 08:16 PM
Those plants look so green! Enjoy. ☺
By the way, thanks for your kind comment on my blog. ☺
Posted by: Dana | April 15, 2013 at 05:48 PM
When I was growing up in south Florida, we ate hydroponic tomatoes all the time. Going out to see them growing was so cool. I have never tried to grow them. Loved all your pictures. genie
Posted by: genie | April 15, 2013 at 05:30 PM
Hi Mom;
There are a number of hydroponic stores opening in Tacoma, WA (about one every three blocks on Pacific Avenue). I don't think they are really for tomatoes or lettuce growers. Not sure if Geoff & Lisa are seeing the same thing in CO. However, all the stores are showing huge
tomatoe plants with nice red tomatoes all winter.....
Posted by: Peter Rainville | April 15, 2013 at 04:58 PM
I hope the food is delicious... enjoy!
Posted by: Laura Hegfield | April 15, 2013 at 04:42 PM
A very interesting post. I would think that hydroponics would be great for inner city living. No soil to trap up with lift with! and with the tiered pots you would be able to grow quite a bit I would think on a small balcony this way. And with the world's population increasing and food prices growing up, and everyone getting a small home this could be the way to go in the future.
I don't think I have eaten hydroponically grown produce.
Great post.
Have a wonderful week and thank you for stopping by my blog today.
Posted by: Life Images by Jill | April 15, 2013 at 04:41 PM
I've seen a PBS show about this kind in Japan but I never really tried the produce yet. I haven't seen any around my area.
Posted by: Photo Cache | April 15, 2013 at 03:36 PM
It certainly is a neat and tidy way to garden. I don't think the food tastes as good as soil grown either.
Posted by: Karen | April 15, 2013 at 03:26 PM
How interesting. I guess I would expect it to taste different, too...not as rich and flavorful but I'm easily influenced. I like that it's nice and clean. It sure is great to have plentiful fruits and veggies here in Florida!
Posted by: Lavender Dreams | April 15, 2013 at 02:59 PM
I'm sure it's psychological, but I'm with you on the taste thing. But I guess the only way to really tell is to set up a blind taste test!!
Posted by: Red Nomad OZ | April 15, 2013 at 02:50 PM
Sallie, this type of gardening is new to me. It looks neat with the layers of plants. I believe more shoppers are choosing organic grown foods now. Great post, thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Eileen | April 15, 2013 at 02:42 PM
I've always felt that hydroponic tomatoes are "watery" inside and don't have as much taste. Of course in CO no tomato tastes good until the local farm stands have Heirlooms. Snowing in Denver!
Posted by: Barb | April 15, 2013 at 02:25 PM
Interesting-and great photos. I suppose this will be the way forward, when the countryside has been overrun by houses and land is at a premium!
Posted by: HAZEL | April 15, 2013 at 01:33 PM
Like layered "gardening"! I have not seen how hydroponics is done, so these photos are intriguing! In our local fruit shop, hydroponically grown tomatoes are popular! They do seem to be redder!
Posted by: Gemma Wiseman | April 15, 2013 at 01:20 PM
Many years ago - maybe the late seventies - I came in contact with hydroponics with regard to house plants. I got my plants at a home party. It seemed to fall out of fashion.
Nice info here Sallie. We don't often have success with some plants in the garden and maybe this could be an alternative.
The place looks very clean.
Posted by: Carletta | April 15, 2013 at 01:12 PM
have never tried it or seen it done. very cool, though.
Posted by: TexWisGirl | April 15, 2013 at 01:06 PM
Really interesting way of producing organic veg. I'm sure it must taste delicious.
Posted by: Fun60 | April 15, 2013 at 12:55 PM
Nice serie of photos!
Posted by: HansHB | April 15, 2013 at 12:49 PM
That looks like an interesting place. You took some great shots. I'm with you though. Psychologically I feel like my produce should come from dirt.
Posted by: Carver | April 15, 2013 at 12:47 PM
Great shots and what an interesting place but, no, I've never seen anything like it -- I've heard about it though! I'm like you -- need a little dirt! Hope you have a great week, Sallie!!
Posted by: sylviakirk | April 15, 2013 at 12:22 PM
Wonderful shots of the place. Plants are very well taken care.
Posted by: Rajesh | April 15, 2013 at 12:10 PM
WOW...I have never seen anything like this before. Amazing!!!
Posted by: Randi, Sweden | April 15, 2013 at 12:06 PM