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If you’re a vegetable lover or health enthusiast, you’ve probably heard of hydroponic vegetables before. This cutting-edge agricultural method—which grows your greens suspended in a liquid solution—is an eco-friendly, nutritious, and efficient alternative to your usual soil-grown produce. That being said, despite their incredible potential, hydroponics still aren’t super well known today. We chatted to the experts at i-Farmed to learn what makes hydroponic farming so special.
No, plants are not sentient (don’t freak out just yet!), but scientific research has shown that plants may react positively to classical music such as Mozart. The music reportedly accelerated vegetables’ growth and increased their yield, as the vibrations from the sound waves stimulated the movement of water in the plant cells. Rock music, on the other hand, seemed to have a detrimental effect; it’s hypothesised that their vibrations were too intense and pressurising for the tender greens.
Hydroponic farmers have complete control over their vegetables since they can alter the pH levels in the water and make sure plants are getting the nutrients they need. Compared to their soil-grown counterparts, where nutrients may be lost by over-tilling the soil, hydroponic vegetables will always maintain the same high standard of nutrition, antioxidants and all. They’re extra fresh, too: Since hydroponic vegetables are grown indoors, that means farms can be located right here in the city, which decreases the time it takes for the vegetables to travel to your table and increases their nutritional value.
We all remember the times we have craved watermelon or mango in the winter, only to realise that the fruit is not in season anymore. Hydroponic farming solves this problem by simulating an ideal growing environment, where all kinds of fruits and vegetables can be grown at any time of the year, all year round. In a well-managed hydroponic system, crops can even be produced up to twice as fast naturally without any hormones involved!
As the world struggles with overpopulation and cities run out of space, hydroponics stand out as a super space-efficient agricultural and food solution. When given the same amount of space as traditional soil farmland, hydroponic farms can accommodate four times the amount of crops, and production increases from three to 10 times.
When you look at how hydroponic vegetables can be grown at any time and how much space they save, it’s no wonder they’re often regarded as the “farming of the future.” But perhaps this future stretches even further than we can envision. For decades, NASA has been looking for a way to provide astronauts with nutrients in an easily absorbed, long-lasting form. Hydroponic farming was their go-to solution, and their research has only intensified as space exploration gains momentum. Perhaps in the far, far future, hydroponic vegetables will be the only type we’re munching on as we settle down on soil-absent planets.
If you’re excited about the future of fibre as well as eating healthier and fresher in the present, we’ve got good news for you. You can shop for hydroponic veggies online right here in Hong Kong from i-Farmed, an environmentally conscious, indoor hydroponic farm in Kowloon. Unaffected by weather all year-round, i-Farmed continually pumps out fresh, nutrient-packed greens free of any pesticides, hormones, and preservatives. From arugula ($35 for 50 grams) to kale ($45 for 100 grams) to red mustard ($45 for 150 grams), i-Farmed has all your essentials and more for a crisp salad. Can’t decide what to get? Check out their mixed green packages ($110 for 300 grams) and assorted veggie packs curated by their experts with themes such as Flawless Skin Rejuvenating and Get Lean.
Of course, nobody can stand a plain salad for long. Spice it up with a pinch of the aromatic La Rustichella Italy black truffle pâté ($118), or douse it in a magnificently sweet and rich Italian 12-year aged balsamic vinegar ($298) from farmhouse producer Acetaia Reale. If you’re looking for something more offbeat, try sprinkling some Basso avocado oil ($58) on your salad for a touch of that South American flavour. Your one-stop-shop for all things salad and green, simply add these into your cart when you check out from i-Farmed’s diverse online store. Get shopping now to support a local business and to fortify your health!
i-Farmed Hong Kong is an environmentally-conscious, local indoor hydroponic cultivation company. Fresh and nutritious, their fruits and vegetables are proudly free of pesticides, preservatives, and hormones, and remain unaffected by weather all year round.
(+852) 2851 8908
9/F, Pat Tat Industrial Building, 1 Pat Tat Street, San Po Kong |
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