There are many delicious vegetables and fruits that can be grown using an Aquaponics System. When choosing what you are going to grow, first consider the Grow Zone you are located in. Consult the USDA Hardiness Zone Finder if you live in the US. I am located in Orlando, Florida which is Zone 9B. On the back of your seed packs it will tell you what time of year the particular seed is best grown for your zone. Start your seedlings about a month earlier than the growing period so that they will be of sufficient size to go directly into the growbed or raft bed. These seedlings were germinated in Rockwool cubes placed in 2" net pots. There are other ways to germinate seedlings such as using Perlite or Coco Coir.

We like 1” Rockwool cubes for sprouting seeds. Begin by thoroughly washing hands and utensils so that there is no contamination. I like the cubes that break apart so that I can place them directly in the 2” net pot with small lip. The size and type of net pot is important if you are using a raft bed. The lip on the net pot keeps the plant from falling through the hole. I have a demonstration on how to build a floating raft bed and how to space plants and drill holes in my DVD.

First you will need to adjust the pH of a container of water. I use a gallon container with a wide opening at the top so that I can add and remove the net pots in easily. Use your pH balancing kit to balance the water to between 5.5 and 6.5. If the pH test results in too high of a then add a few drops of lemon juice and retest. Plants prefer a slightly acidic solution to grow well and to germinate. Once you have your pH adjusted, place as many Rockwool cubes into the water as you want to seed and let them soak for 1 hour. Since Rockwool has a higher pH than 5.5-6.5, the cubes need time to stabilize.

Remove the cubes one by one placing each one first on a clean towel and then inside a 2” net pot. I like to use a small dish to pour out my seeds since many seeds are very small and can get lost easily. Drop a seed into the hole in the Rockwool cube and I use a clean metal skewer to gently lodge it down into the hole. Repeat with each cube. Don’t forget to add the labeling stakes as you go so that you can keep track of what you are planting and whether it should go in the raft bed or in the grow bed.

I bought a plastic container with a lid to keep my seedlings in. Cover the seedlings with a towel or keep them in a dark place until they are sprouting. I mist daily with the pH balanced water. Always check for dryness. You want the cube to stay moist. Depending on your climate, you may have to mist more often. You can use a warming mat beneath the container to keep seedlings warm. Once you have a decent sprout popping out of the cube, then you can remove the cover and place in lighted area, and spritz with water or a mixture of pH adjusted water and seaweed extract that I get from a local hydroponics store. The seedlings grow at different rates and I have even placed a decent size seedling inside the net pot and Rockwool cube directly into the raft bed or I remove the net pot and place the Rockwool cube into the grow bed down in the media just enough so that the Rockwool cube is barely covered. Do not remove the Rockwool cube since roots will grow right through the cube.

Vegetables and Fruits Grown in Raft Beds

 Raft Beds are particularly good for growing fresh herbs such as basil, dill, cilantro, oregano, chives and many varieties of lettuces and spinich and, strawberries can be grown in a raft bed or grow bed.

SPINICH	BIBB LETTUCE	BASIL

This system

has completed "cycling"

and is ready to add

sprouted plants to

growbeds and raft beds.

 When purchasing seeds it is important to know which grow zone you are in to know when to start seedlings. Click here for the USDA Hardiness Zone Finder. There are many organic seeds available in stores and online. I would strongly advise buying organic seeds whenever possible since Genetically Modified Seeds, GMO's, have had to DNA altered and the ramifications of GMO's is not yet known. Your seed packet should tell you on the back when your optimum growing season is for your area. Start sprouting your seedlings a few weeks before the season begins.