Banker plants provide an alternative food source, habitat and often a reproduction site for natural pest enemies. Banker plants can be particularly useful during periods of high nitrogen boosted growth i.e. when the apices are actively growing like the tomatoes above. Even though we operate in controlled environments, working with the natural ecosystem in a greenhouse could help to cheaply and efficiently control pests alongside trap tapes and other biocontrols. Tansy is just one example of a useful banker crop in controlled hydroponic greenhouses. Tansy flower or ‘Yellow Buttons’ as it’s more commonly known could be a great banker crop…
Author: Janet Colston
As 2025 begins, many farmers will be considering which crop to grow in the year ahead. Most will have been in planning mode well before now, but if you are considering berries this year it’s important to recognise they require a different growing strategy from leafy greens, tomatoes or other commonly grown greenhouse and indoor crops. Towards the end of last year we saw how strawberries were elevated to prime-position in vertical farms like Oishii. We also advised how strawberry breeding may lead to higher value crops and sales which offsets high input costs. Could it be the year of…
‘Prince of Herbs’, Ashwagandha or Indian Ginseng (Withiana Somnifera) grown in hydroponics under LED lights. Image courtesy of The Functional Plant Co. Aryvedic medicine relies on a natural and balanced approach to physical and mental health. At its core are plants, herbs and roots with additional phytonutrients that exert positive effects on our health. One of the most popular ayurvedic herbs is Ashwagandha, otherwise known as Indian ginseng. There is a high market demand in the US for ashwagandha root preparations, which are predominantly sought for improved sleep patterns. I need it badly because of my insomnia! I will save…
Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Greenhouse for Growing Leafy Greens in Texas. We know the CEA industry is advancing with facilities like those above producing food with great health benefits. But, how many of us know the benefits of individual leafy greens and herbs? We want to delve into one in particular that stands out for us; – watercress, is a powerhouse in health circles, and is rich in vitamin A, C and E, as well as an excellent source of iron, magnesium and calcium. Watercress contains high levels of proven anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer compounds called glucosinolates which are effective…
Nasturtium (Tropaeolum spp.) in hydroponics, courtesy of The Functional Plant Co. Given the chance, we all appreciate the beauty of flowers, their color, perfume, diversity and sometimes their edible portions. We wonder why more people do not grow these commercially, especially those that love to be grown hydroponically. Nasturtiums are often added to salads and both leaves and flowers give a peppery feel to any salad. Many are unaware of long associations of the Tropaeolum species that have proven health benefits. We know the flowers contain high levels of an antioxidant called lutein, which protects against free radical damage, and…
Vegetable production with grafted young plants originated in Japan and Korea as a way to avoid serious crop loss caused by soil-borne disease, aggravated by successive cropping. Which crops do we need to graft in CEA and why? Grapes of course are a well known grafted crop, as are apples and other stone fruits. They have been grafted for centuries to avoid similar issues originating from soil-borne disease. It’s taken a while for us to catch up, but with every area in CEA being scrutinized for additional efficiency, it is no surprise grafting is becoming the norm in the industry.…
Strawberries have an interesting lineage that many people may be unaware of. The story goes that the humble garden strawberry (fragaria x ananassa) originated from a spontaneous cross between two wild alpine strawberries, fragaria virginiana and fragaria chiloensis in 17th century France. Below we have grown them out in tissue culture to see what they were like. Originally alpines like vesca were just an appetizing snack on a forest trail walk, but look at where their genes are today, it could almost be as if you are eating an apple. Strawberries are an octoploid species, and are well known for…
We all experience stress at some point in our lives. It’s not inevitable though, and our mood could be altered by the foods we eat. How we handle stress is very much down to the individual, but we can learn tricks and techniques to help us cope better, in the same way some of us use yoga or fishing to de-stress. Of course, there are many ways to combat stress, but in this article we are only concerned about how foods can impact how you feel. CEA itself is stress busting – don’t you think it’s like looking at art…
Ice cream would not be ice cream without Vanilla. I am fortunate to have the most famous Scottish ice cream parlor on my doorstep. Nardini’s in Largs, is an institution and draws people from across the world, even Chris Higgins has eaten here! They sell the best Vanilla and Scottish tablet ice cream. The active ingredient of Vanilla, Vanillin, is the most commonly used flavoring in the world, but did you know it is normally produced by a synthetic reaction that involves petrochemicals? Don’t worry, it’s perfectly safe and should not stop you from eating your favorite ice cream. The…
Many of us drink coffee because it makes us feel good and gives us a boost in the morning. Caffeine, the active ingredient in coffee has a number of positive effects, including increased alertness, which it does by blocking a chemical messenger in the brain that makes us sleepy. Some cultures swear by this ‘pick me up’. I recall ‘shots’ during a working trip to Barcelona, grabbing a double espresso hit in the morning rush hour with the locals. I remember how jittery I felt. Ironically, I was there to study artery health. So what was happening? The caffeine was…
Do you yearn for great, fresh food that doesn’t damage your gut? Well, here we have it for you, gluten-free ravioli with fresh CEA grown spinach filling. Gluten intolerance is more common than we may think. This is because many people are experiencing adverse reactions to proteins found in wheat, barley and rye. Bread is the usual culprit, but with most of the western world consumers of pasta, this popular meal is not far behind. Among other poor dietary choices, subsequent disease may well be associated with inflammation linked to a leaky gut. This is where small tears occur in…
Flower season comes once a year for Wasabi Japonica, but…. What if we control that process? Why people love wasabi Wasabi has enormous health benefits. It’s good for your heart, and for your liver, it even helps regenerate your hair. Of course, taste and uniqueness come into play as the food service industry’s poster boy for Sushi and Sashimi. Back in the EDO period, Shoguns were scrapping over this beloved Japanese herb. Why? They discovered it prevented food poisoning after they ate raw fish. Can it grow outside of Japan? Yes that’s right, it can grow outside its homeland of…
“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.” Robert Swan, OBE, Historian and Explorer. We need farming, but what kind of farming do we need? Everywhere you look, farmers, environmentalists, activists, businesses, celebrities, and politicians are talking about climate change, polarizing the subject and postulating what will happen if we don’t take action now. We know the way we are currently farming is harming the planet and our health, but we also know as farmers we have the skills to change the outcome. Some of the problems in agriculture are compounded by long…
Lion’s Mane Hericium erinaceus Can you believe this white ‘pom pom’ like fungus has properties that regrow nerves? This has been proven in several peer reviewed studies. Remarkably, this mushroom can grow larger than a baseball in under two months given the right controlled environment. Substrates for Lion’s mane are commonly straw or sawdust based, but could just as easily be ground spent coffee beans. Setting up a container sized space, the main controls to be aware of for optimal growth are temperature and humidity. Lion’s Mane mushrooms are rich in protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They are particularly prized…