Maximum Yield USA June 2013

USA

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Control & shape Your garden’s PLUS+ AquAponics vs. growth Hydroponics contAiner gArdening

Slow & Steady: Slow Sand Filtration

potting Mixes

Indoor gardenIng expo

2013

MaxIMuM YIeld’s

NOVI MICHIGAN June 1-2

maximumyield.com

SAN FRANCISCO

LONG BEACH

CALIFORNIA

CALIFORNIA

July 27-28

OCTOBeR 26-27

indoorgardeningexpo.com

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CONTENTS June 2013

60

FEATURES 50 In the Land of Giants

by Erik Biksa

100

60 Not So Similar

by Sylvia Bernstein

50

72

72 Contain Yourself

by Helene Isbell

126

80 A Gentle, Guiding Hand

by Eric Hopper

90 Slow & Steady

by Dr. Lynette Morgan

142

112

DEPARTMENTS 100 The Myth of Milk & Roses

by Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott

112 The Driving Force

by Dr. J. Benton Jones, Jr.

126 The Dirt on Soil & Potting Mixes

by Grubbycup

142 Kitchen Scrap Gardening

by Matt LeBannister

146 Two Kinds of Growers

by James Kostrava

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Maximum Yield USA | June 2013

12

From the Editor

152

Green Thumb Gardening

14

MaximumYield.com

156

10 Facts On...

20

Letters to the Editor

158

Talking Shop

22

Ask Erik

160

You Tell Us

24

MAX Facts

162

Do You Know?

34

Product Spotlight

168

Max Mart

70

Growing for Health

171

Distributors

110

Avant Gardening

186

Coming up in July

122

Tips & Tricks

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FROM THE EDITOR | LiNda JESSON Increasing your yield isn’t just about growing more and more plants, it’s also about increasing the size of the plants you already have growing.

That’s why in this issue of Maximum Yield we include an article by Erik Biksa who explains how to do just that. We also take a look at treating roses with milk (is it a do, or a don’t?) and list some ways aquaponics and hydroponics are different. For that, we went straight to the source: Sylvia Bernstein, the owner of The Aquaponics Source in Colorado.

We offer other practical advice too, as in our feature on kitchen scraps highlighting five ways you can turn food waste into new plants, and in our rundown on windowsill gardening for beginners.

Jump ahead and you’ll find spotlights on Holland from the Hydroponics and Oasis Grower Solutions that both dish about their company initiatives.

Add all of that to our popular product spotlights section and our informative Max Facts section, and Linda Jesson you have just the recipe to start your summer off right! From all of us here at Maximum Yield, we’d like to wish you all a fantastic start to the summer season; it’s finally here! Also be sure to keep entering our Win Big Grow Big contest for your chance to win some great gear every other month.

In just a few weeks we’ll be back in San Francisco for the next stop in our Grow Like a Pro Indoor Gardening Expo tour. Check out indoorgardenexpo.com for the latest details, or call us with your questions at 1-250-729-2677.

Message Editor

VOLUME 14 – NUMBER 3 June 2013 Maximum Yield is published monthly by Maximum Yield Publications Inc. 2339A Delinea Place, Nanaimo, BC V9T 5L9 Phone: 250.729.2677; Fax 250.729.2687 No part of this magazine may be reproduced without permission from the publisher.

If undeliverable please return to the address above.

The views expressed by columnists are a personal opinion and do not necessarily reflect those of Maximum Yield or the editor.

Publication Agreement Number 40739092 Printed In Canada PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER - Jim Jesson GENERAL MANAGER - Don Moores BUSINESS MANAGER - Linda Jesson EDITORIAl editor@maximumyield.com Editor-in-chief Linda Jesson Assistant Editor Jessica Skelton Assistant Editor Julie McManus ADVERTISING SAlES Sales Manager Ilona Hawser - ilona@maximumyield.com Account Executives Ashley Heppell - ashley@maximumyield.com Emily Rodgers - emily@maximumyield.com Kelsey Hepples - kelsey@maximumyield.com Katie Montague - katie@maximumyield.com DESIGN & PRODUCTION ads@maximumyield.com Art Director Alice Joe Graphic Designers Jennifer Everts Dionne Hurd Jesslyn Gosling ACCOUNTING Tracy Greeno - accounting@maximumyield.com Tara Campbell - tara@maximumyield.com USA DISTRIBUTION Aurora Innovations • BWGS • General Hydroponics Humbolt Wholesale • Hydrofarm National Garden Wholesale/Sunlight Supply • Nickel City Wholesale Garden Supply • R&M Supply • Tradewinds CANADIAN DISTRIBUTION Brite-Lite Group • Biofloral • Eddis Wholesale • Greenstar Plant Products Inc. • MegaWatt • Quality Wholesale UK DISTRIBUTION Direct Garden Supplies • Growth Technology • Future Harvest Development Europe • Dutch Bio Power Nutriculture UK • Dutch Pro • Maxigrow AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTION Dome Garden Supply • House N Garden • Futchatec • Growth Technology

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Maximum Yield USA | June 2013

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CONTribuTOrS Dr. J. Benton Jones Jr. has 50

Sylvia Bernstein is the author of

“Aquaponic Gardening: A Step by Step Guide to Growing Fish and Vegetables Together”. She is also the president of The Aquaponic Source, and the co-founder and past vice chairman of the Aquaponics Association. Before discovering aquaponics, she was the vice president of marketing and product development for AeroGrow International.

Erik Biksa is a leading expert in the field of hydroponics, first contributing to Maximum Yield in 1999. He has also appeared in many other major publications, and in video and audio productions. Erik has worked for several industry leaders consulting around the world while enjoying a strong network of hydroponic community members. His latest project is a hydroponics digital publication via grozine.com

Grubbycup has been an avid

Eric Hopper has over 10 years of

Helene Isbell has a passion for plants.

Matt LeBannister developed a green thumb as a child, having been born into a family of experienced gardeners. During his career, he has managed a hydroponic retail store and represented leading companies at the Indoor Gardening Expos. Matt has been writing articles for Maximum Yield since 2007. His articles are published around the world.

Dr. Lynette Morgan holds a B.

James Kostrava is the CEO & Founder

years of experience growing plants hydroponically. He is an Emeritus Professor at the University of Georgia, Athens and has authored eight books and written articles for magazines that deal with hydroponic issues.

He currently has his own consulting company, Grosystems, Inc. Dr. Jones currently lives in Anderson, SC, USA.

indoor gardener for over 20 years.

His articles were first published in the United Kingdom, and since then his gardening advice has been published in French, Spanish, Italian, Polish, Czechoslovakian and German. He is also considered one of the world’s leading authorities on crochet hydroponics.

experience in the hydroponic industry as both a retail store manager and owner. He continuously seeks new methods and products that could help maximize garden performance. Eric resides in Michigan where he and his family strive for a self-sufficient and sustainable lifestyle.

Hort. Tech. degree and a PhD in hydroponic greenhouse production from Massey University, New Zealand. Lynette is a partner with SUNTEC International Hydroponic Consultants and has authored five hydroponic technical books. Visit suntec.co.nz for more information.

A California native, Helene resides in San Diego where she promotes urban agriculture and sustainable living. She has also been a dynamic player in the hydroponic industry for the past decade.

She has incorporated her love of horticulture with hands-on experience, arts and culture, integrated marketing and education. She is the southern California rep for High Caliper Growing/Smart Pots.

of Organibliss, LLC, a natural products biotechnology company in Michigan.

For more than 30 years he held senior level positions at Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce, Foundation for Economic Education, Mackinac Center for Public Policy, Oakland University Foundation and Construction Association of Michigan.

Graduate of Michigan State University.

COMiNG uP ON ThE wEb

Expo Season Well Underway

We are officially halfway through the 2013 Grow Like a Pro Indoor Gardening Expo season. Be sure to mark the last two dates onto your calendar; we’ll be in San Francisco, California, July 27 to 28 and in Long Beach, California, on October 26 and 27. Whether you’re a new or experienced gardener, these trade shows offer something for everyone. Stay tuned to indoorgardenexpo.com for details so you can plan your 2013 vacation.

Got Questions?

Get Answers.

Maximum Yield’s resident expert Erik Biksa is available to answer your modern gardening questions.

Email editor@maximumyield.com or fill out the “Ask the Experts” question form on maximumyield.com

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Maximum Yield USA | June 2013

Free Digital Subscription to Maximum Yield USA Now you can receive Maximum Yield USA free to your inbox every month. Subscribe to the digital edition of Maximum Yield by simply filling out the form at maximumyield.com/subscriptions

I’m a Fan Contest

Introducing the newest contest from Maximum Yield!! Tell us why you are a fan of Maximum Yield and you could win monthly prizes of a $100 gift card to your favor favorite indoor gardening shop, and also have a chance at the grand prize of a $1,000 gift card to your favorite indoor gardening shop.

Simply send your testimonial, name, address, phone number and email address to editor@maximumyield.com editor@maximumyield.com.

Contest closes December 14, 2013.

Connect to maximumyield.com instantly from your Smartphone with our Quick Response (QR) Code, found on the cover of this issue of Maximum Yield. Now you can access the best products, the most in-depth articles and information, and the latest news at high speeds.

Simply download the QR Code Reader software onto your Smartphone, scan the QR Code and your phone’s browsers takes you to maximumyield.com. It’s that simple!

CONNECT wiTh uS maximumyield.com facebook.com/MaximumYield indoorgardeningexpo.com twitter.com/max_yield

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LETTErS TO ThE EdiTOr Fourth I’m a Fan Winner Announced

Kudos from Around the Web

I always look forward to each issue of MY. I appreciate Grubbycup’s articles because he explains technical information in a simple, understandable way. This also benefits my local hydro store, since the more I understand, the more products I am apt to purchase from them. Keep up the good work! Love the magazine.

Debi (via Facebook)

Thanks!

I love your mag. Thank you.

James Madden Eagle Remodeling & Restoration, LLC

Shout-outs to MY!

After spending an hour talking to the guy at my local grow shop, I picked up a copy of this magazine and kept learning at home. The articles are great and really informative, and I’ve learned a lot about new products and methods to keep my plants happy and healthy. Great magazine!”

Sam Baldwinsville, New York

Different Things

I love all the tips that you offer, and you show me different things about growing that I would never have thought to try. I also like to see the different products out there and how people feel they work.

DeeAnn Hillman, Michigan

Your Your Your Your Your

Maximum Yield Publications Inc. Snail-mail: 2339 Delinea Place, Nanaimo, BC V9T 5L9 Email: editor@maximumyield.com Twitter: twitter.com/max_yield Facebook: facebook.com/MaximumYield

Two

Cents Cents Cents Cents Cents

Your Your Your Your Your

Two Two Two Two Two

We asked on Facebook

and what difference in growth or

Your yields YourareYour Your Your you observing?”

Two Two Two Two Two

Here are some of the great responses we received:

Cents Cents Cents Cents Cents 20

Maximum Yield USA | June 2013

Would you like a chance to win Maximum Yield’s I’m a Fan contest? Tell us why you are a fan of Maximum Yield and you could win the monthly prize of a $100 gift card to your favorite indoor gardening shop, and also have a chance at the grand prize of a $1,000 gift card to your favorite indoor gardening shop. Simply send your testimonial, name, address, phone number and email address to editor@maximumyield.com, or fill out the online form at maximumyield.com/imafan. Contest closes December 14, 2013.

Two Two Two Two Two

Your Your Your Your Your 2

Thanks for the kudos, Matthew, and congratulations on winning Maximum Yield’s fourth I’m a Fan contest! We hope you enjoy your $100 gift certificate at your favorite indoor gardening shop, San Diego Hydroponics and Organics.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Cents Cents Cents Cents Cents

are greenhouse withCents CO ? How Centsyou Cents Cents Cents doing it and to what level,

Matthew Barton

Your Your Your Your Your

TwoYour Two Two Two Two Two“Who Twosupplements Two TwotheirTwo indoor/

Matthew Barton from Kings Beach, California, is the fourth winner of Maximum Yield’s I’m a Fan Contest!

Matthew said, “You guys have got a great publication. Even though I live in the US, I also read the Canada, UK and Australia versions. I love the info I get out of them. The articles are great. I’ve only been in the horticulture business for three years, but I’ve been on the sales side of it for almost 10 years. I find myself learning great things from Maximum Yield and it literally feels like Christmas every time I get my digital subscription in my inbox. Keep up the great work and I look forward to being a life-long reader. Thanks.”

Cents Cents Cents Cents Cents

I do with a parts-per-million reader, flow regulator and CO2 tank that I refill weekly. I’ve seen enhanced yields as high as 20% from my standard production. ” Don

Your Your Your Your Your

Using rapid air exchange, plus having the brew kit in the room adds extra CO2 to the atmosphere; it is only an increase of 2-300 ppm [sic], but during veg this helps. ” Bailey

Two Two Two Two Two Cents Cents Cents Cents Cents

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aSK EriK

Is controlled environment agriculture (CEA)—A.K.A. sealed-style indoor growing—really more productive than traditional in/out style environmental control for growing crops? Obviously, there would be advantages to each, but when it comes down to yield, is the extra expense worth it in harvest weight?

Erik Biksa

In most instances where a CEA system is set-up correctly, it will outproduce over the majority of in/out set-ups. Where the real value is for growers, including in terms of yields, is in the consistency of the harvest in both weight and harvest quality.

With in/out methods, where exhaust and intake fans exchange the growroom air with outside air for environmental control and cooling purposes, what happens indoors in your growing environment is still influenced by outdoor climate conditions. For example, in the summertime, even at night, it might be too warm outside to effectively use outside air to cool the indoor growing environment when the lights are running. The result: either shut down or watch crop yield and quality suffer (while you work harder to prevent further plant stresses even though you know your yield will be less). So, indoor growing—which is not an inexpensive endeavor in the first place—becomes more of a dice game when you use in/out ventilation.

While CEA costs more to set-up initially because you have to invest in A/C, CO2 (carbon dioxide) supplementation and humidity control (versus fans and simple controls), it affords growers consistent control of the growing environment. It also allows for effective enrichment of CO2 levels in the growing environment, which can shorten cropping time and potentially add 10 to 25% more yield in most instances.

Because growers can maintain set-points consistently with A/C versus outside air, plants are never stressed by the environment, which allows them to be healthier and produce bigger yields. It also means fewer cropping problems like insects or plant diseases, thus eliminating the need for chemicals or other potentially harmful substances that are commonly used as control measures.

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Maximum Yield USA | June 2013

Experienced growers usually have a strain or two they have worked with for years, discovering the “likes” and “don’t likes.” Often, the frustrating part is not being able to do anything about meeting these needs exactly because the environment simply won’t allow for it. CEA methods eliminate this headache and give you the keys to consistently healthier and heavier yields because it is possible to provide the right environment for the desired response from the crop.

CEA methods can be more power intensive with the electrical draw required for air conditioners because you need about 4,000 BTUs of cooling power for every 1 kW of high intensity discharge (HID) lighting.

However, some growers offset this footprint by capturing and recycling the water lost into the air from the crop via condensate capture from dehumidifiers and air conditioning equipment. Not only is this pure and living water, it also tells the grower exactly when the best time to water again is (when the water barrel is full again)—all of this from the plants! You can recycle the water over and over, although most growers usually will add this to fresh RO-filtered water.

So, there are a few thoughts for you to consider.

Typically, new growers are wise to try a small crop or two with in/out methods when the season is favorable, and then expand into CEA as they gain some experience and success.

Cheers, Erik Biksa grozine.com

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MaX FaCTS

hydrOPONiC NEwS, TiPS aNd Trivia

Halting House Flies USDA scientists have found a new method of controlling house flies.

The salivary gland hypertrophy virus (SGHv), ), which reproduces in the salivary gland of the infected insects, prevents infected the females from laying eggs and the males from mating.

(Source: ars.usda.gov)

MAXFACTS MAX

HYDROPONIC NEWS, TIPS AND TRIvIA Thwarting Walnut Thieves Butte County supervisors will look at amending a county code to help protect Californian walnut growers from thieves. The current law allows the county agricultural commissioner to require anyone who has 25 lb. of agricultural commodity in his or her possession to prove ownership. The proposed amendment would eliminate the 25-lb. requirement and would require people with quantities of walnuts in their possession to have proper documentation of possession on approved forms. The walnut industry is particularly vulnerable to theft due to the manner in which nuts are harvested from windrows. The most recent crop report says Butte County had 37,000 harvested acres of walnuts in 2011, with a market value of $219 million.

(Source: orovillemr.com)

Artichoke Named Official State Vegetable of California California Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom has declared the artichoke the official state vegetable. California produces 99% of the annual United States crop of fresh market artichokes and Ocean Mist Farms is the largest grower of fresh artichokes in North America. The drive to name the official state food of California was organized in San Francisco and was based on votes made through social media. The artichokes beat out other food contenders, including almonds, avocados, crab, sourdough bread and grapes and wine. (Source: freshplaza.com)

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Maximum Yield USA | June 2013

MaX FaCTS

hydrOPONiC NEwS, TiPS aNd Trivia

26

Asian Vegetables Gain Ground

Kindergarten Students Try Aquaponics

According to the USDA, many fruits and vegetables commonly grown and popular in Asian countries are now as widely available on the shelves of United States grocery stores as conventional vegetables, which has led to more and more Asian produce being cultivated in the United States. Although it ranks far behind Mexico and Canada in farm exports to the United States, China now accounts for 5% of that market, supplying mushrooms, dried vegetables, water chestnuts, garlic and bamboo shoots.

(Source: freshplaza.com)

The Rossville aquaponics farm in Chattanooga, Tennessee, has donated systems to three local kindergarten classes as well as some strawberry plants to get started. The donations happened after Andria Powers, a first-year kindergarten teacher, contacted the owner of Rossville to see if she could bring her class to his aquaponic farm for a field trip. Ryan Cox told her he had a better idea: why not bring the aquaponics farm to the class? Soon after, 80 kindergarten students were getting a hand setting up their own strawberry plants in one of three classroom's aquaponic systems. The fish necessary to provide the nutrients to the growing plants are a type of fancy goldfish called Japanese shubunkins, and were donated by The Water Garden in Hixson, Tennessee.

(Source: catwalkchatt.com)

Maximum Yield USA | June 2013

MaX FaCTS

hydrOPONiC NEwS, TiPS aNd Trivia

looking Into Crop Tissue A scientist with the USDA has adapted computed tomography (CT) scan technology to study how water and pathogens move through a plant’s vascular tissue, known as xylem. In particular, CT technology will help scientists determine how plants respond to water stress and other changing conditions.

(Source: ars. usda.gov)

Corn Needs More Although advances in biotechnology have dramatically increased corn grain yields, soil test values indicate that producers might not be supplying optimal nutrient levels, and many current nutrient recommendations could need adjusting."Current fertilization practices may not match the uptake capabilities of hybrids that contain transgenic insect protection and that are grown at planting densities that increase by about 400 plants per acre per year," said University of Illinois Ph.D. student Ross Bender. Nutrient recommendations may not be calibrated to modern, higher-yielding genetics and management. Study results indicated that higher amounts of nitrogen (N), potassium (K), phosphorus (P) and sulfur (S) are needed to maximize crop growth.

(Source: sciencedaily.com)

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Maximum Yield USA | June 2013

MaX FaCTS

hydrOPONiC NEwS, TiPS aNd Trivia

More Than a Mushroom Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine have discovered that eating mushrooms containing vitamin D2 can be as effective at increasing and maintaining vitamin D levels as taking supplemental vitamins.

(Source: sciencedaily.com)

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Maximum Yield USA | June 2013

Greenhouse Catches Fire A Chester Township greenhouse in Ohio recently caught fire while a homeowner was inside the building using a propane tank with a torch on the end to burn weeds. Local fire chief John Wargelin said the weather was very windy, so it got away from him real quick. When firefighters arrived, eight green greenhouses were burning and fire spread to an apartment building and a barn. The burning greenhouse plastic created a lot of thick, black smoke. No injuries were reported.

(Source: news-herald.com)

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MaX FaCTS

hydrOPONiC NEwS, TiPS aNd Trivia

Trapping Bugs with Beans Inspired by a traditional Balkan bedbug remedy, researchers in Kentucky have documented how microscopic hairs on kidney bean leaves effectively stab and trap the biting insects. Traditionally, the kidney bean leaves were strewn on the floor next to beds and seemed to ensnare the blood-seeking parasites on their nightly forays. The bug-encrusted greenery was burned the next morning to exterminate the insects. Scientists have now discovered the creatures are trapped within seconds of stepping on a leaf, their legs impaled by microscopic hooked hairs known botanically as trichomes. Using the bean leaves as templates, the researchers have micro-fabricated materials closely resembling the leaves geometrically. The synthetic surfaces snag the bedbugs temporarily, but do not yet stop them as effectively as real leaves.

(Source: sciencedaily.com)

Hydroponic Barge Now in its fifth growing season, the Yonkers Science Barge in New York is an entirely green-powered craft that grows hundreds of thousands of pounds of food using hydroponics. The barge, formed through the local non profit group Groundwork Hudson Valley, is entirely powered by solar panels and other green energies and enlists dozens of volunteers to run its farming and other operations. It offers educational programs for students and provides food for the community. In June 2013, the group is set to launch Get Fresh Yonkers, a program to sell the vegetables at a farmers’ market in the city.

(Source: lohud.com)

Black Carbon Flows from Soil to Oceans Each year, 40 to 250 million tons of black carbon is formed through the incomplete combustion of organic matter, such as in forest fires, slash-and-burn and controlled burning of fields. The general assumption is that this black carbon remains in soil for millions of years, aiding in the regrowth of vegetation. However, new research indicates a remarkable proportion of the black carbon dissolves into the water system quicker than once thought.

(Source: sciencedaily.com)

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Maximum Yield USA | June 2013

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PrOduCT SPOTLiGhT YOUR GUIDE TO THIS MONTH’S

HOTTEST ITEMS Ask for them at your local indoor gardening store RapidStart RapidStart® enhances your growing experience by delivering a powerful blend of premium plant extracts, amino acids and nutrients to generate explosive root growth. Using RapidStart stimulates prolific root branching and development of fine root hairs that increase nutrient uptake and grow healthier, whiter roots. Using RapidStart will make your plants explode!

RapidStart can be used for all plants in prepared soil/soilless mixes, coco blends and hydroponics. RapidStart, strong finish; bigger is always better. See a local retailer to learn more.

MicroG Sample Packs from OASIS Grower Solutions

Preserve Your Botanicals with Violiv Jars

To help introduce hobbyists unfamiliar with hydroponic media, OASIS® Grower Solutions (OGS) has created a sample pack of its renowned foam. Housed in a “microG” (A.K.A. mini-greenhouse), each 9- by 5- by 3-in. clear plastic clamshell comes complete with six blocks of HORTICUBES, ROOTCUBES® or ROOTCUBES® Plus. This new pack allows hobbyists to see first-hand how simple starting seeds and cloning cuttings can be with the high-performance, hydroponic growing foam. For more information, visit a hydroponics shop near you.

Deep purple VioLiv Jars allow growers to attractively store their herbs and other botanicals while simultaneously protecting the contents from destructive light. These 3.38- to 16.91-oz. jars come in tall or wide-mouthed varieties, and their screw-on caps keep contents safe and secure. Ask your local gardening retailer about VioLiv Jars.

Pure Black Castings Pure Black Castings, Mother Nature’s purest form of slow-release natural organic plant food, are now distributed by Sunlight Supply. Pure Black Castings are different from any other worm casting on the market because of the controlled vermiculture feeding process and microbial enhancement. The worms are fed organic feed grains in an indoor climate-controlled facility. Pure Black Castings are a consistent bio-diverse, living organic fertilizer teeming with micronutrients and living micro-organisms.

They have no animal, food or yard waste; contain no worms or worm eggs; and have virtually no heavy metal content. Providing an essential N-P-K of 1.0-0.5-0.2, Pure Black Castings will never burn your plants. Pure Black Castings will improve fertilizer efficiency, and make slow-release and inorganic nitrogen more available for your plant. Pure Black Castings hydrate 300% of their weight, significantly reducing water application. For more information, visit a local garden supply shop.

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Maximum Yield USA | June 2013

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PrOduCT SPOTLiGhT

Take Control with PyGanic Crop Protection Looking for a natural solution to your peskiest pest problems? OMRI-listed PyGanic Crop Protection provides quick, natural control across a broad-spectrum of insect populations.

Pyrethrin, the active ingredient in PyGanic, is a botanical insecticide derived from chrysanthemums that kills on contact and can be used up to the day of harvest. PyGanic comes in two different formulations (1.4% and 5.0% pyrethrins), both refined using a unique, proprietary process to ensure the consistent high-quality standards required for organic production. Ask about PyGanic Crop Protection at your nearest indoor gardening shop.

Simply Silica In dry and arid climates where powdery mildew lurks, the first nutrient in the reservoir is always a good potassium silica. Supreme Growers’ Simply Silica is derived from the highest-quality, food-grade pure potassium silicate and contains no sodium. Simply Silica improves plants’ natural resistance to environmental stresses, including heat, drought and salt stress (commonly caused by heavy nutrient use). It is available to gardeners nationwide in our new 50-oz. no-spill bottles. Our Big 50s are a better size, and a better value.

Visit a hydro shop near you to find out more.

Ostberg Americas Announces the RKB Series Fan Ostberg Americas, Inc. announces the RKB series in-line centrifugal duct fan. The RKB is a compact, high-capacity, rectangular centrifugal fan that can be installed in any position. This product is UL705-approved. The RKB connects to rectangular ducts, has backward curved impellers, is manufactured from galvanized steel and has a swing-out design for easy cleaning. It is also designed specifically for high pressures in long runs of ducting. This product is moistureproof, approved for outdoor use and has maintenancefree motors protected from overheating with built-in thermo contacts. Six sizes (up to 7,000 cfm) are available. Visit an indoor gardening store to learn more.

Biobizz Try·Packs Each of the four Biobizz® Try·Packs™ consists of three 8.45-oz bottles of Biobizz products. The combinations are: 1. Indoor·Pack: Bio·Grow®, Bio·Bloom™ and Top·Max™ 2. Outdoor·Pack: Fish·Mix™, Bio∙Bloom and Top∙Max 3. Stimulant∙Pack: Alg·A·Mic™, Top∙Max and Root∙Juice™ 4. Hydro∙Pack: Root∙Juice, Top∙Max and Bio∙Heaven™ The four packs can be used on all kinds of substrates and mediums. The Indoor·Pack can be used from the beginning of the flowering phase on indoor crops. The Outdoor·Pack can also be used from the beginning of the flowering phase, but is more suitable for outdoor crops. The Stimulant∙Pack allows for an even better quality and quantity of a harvest. Finally, the Hydro·Pack results in a better harvest in hydroponic systems. For more info, visit a store near you.

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Maximum Yield USA | June 2013

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PrOduCT SPOTLiGhT

Pure Essentials Black label Perfect Blend 50/50 Coco/Perlite The Black Label Perfect Blend (50% coco and 50% perlite) is ideal for fast-growing plants. All Black Label coco undergoes a rigorous process of buffering and cleaning to ensure all impurities are washed out of the coco and the buffered with cal-mag twice, which gives the plant every chance of success.

Perlite provides excellent drainage while trapping air and water on its irregular surface. It is neutral in reaction and has no buffering action.

The Perfect Blend 50/50 is made from all renewable resources. Black Label provides you with a grow medium that improves drainage and produces great results! Learn more at a hydroponics shop near you.

Ostberg Americas Announces the CK Series Fan The CK is an in-line duct fan that combines the benefits of a radial fan with high pressure and low noise levels along with ease of installation. This compact fan installs in any position. It is also compatible with speed controllers, is moisture-resistant for use in humid/damp locations and is manufactured from heavy-gauge galvanized steel. The UL507 models are finished with a baked epoxy coating, and all models have standard auto-reset thermal overload protection. The CK series is UL listed, and comes with a 10-year limited warranty. For more information, visit a local retailer.

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PrOduCT SPOTLiGhT

New SuperCloset SuperRoom Sizes now Shipping The new 4- by 4-ft. and 4- by 8-ft. SuperRoom Grow Tent packages by SuperCloset come with top-of-the-line components, easy to set-up instructions and live tech support. Now, customers can call the SuperCloset tech support hotline to get up to the minute grow tent set-up support. The 4- by 4-ft. SuperRoom packages were designed for ease of assembly, including easy-fit components and design features. With these SuperRoom packages, a hobby grower can be up and growing within 90 minutes of receiving their product.

See a local retailer more information.

OxyDoser Air and Pure Air stones are child’s play now that the OxyDoser™ is here. These devices are attached to inexpensive water pumps to saturate or super-saturate large volumes of hydroponic fluid or compost tea with oxygen. One OxyDoser will replace air pumps and air stones in 25- to 10,000+-gal. systems. The patented design surpasses any other technology on the market in simplicity, cost and performance. These devices use both liquid film and micro-nano bubbles to ease the transfer of oxygen, to ionize your nutrients for better uptake and to lower your aeration costs by 80%.

They are offered in stand-alone units and performance hydro systems. OxyDoser also makes oxygen-rich, full-feeding, water-only soils and pre-mixes. Visit your local hydro store for more info.

Quick Flips: a Two-light Ballast Flip Quick Flips are a revolutionary lighting relay that provides the user a way to safely switch one ballast to run two lights, expanding your growing area without additional ballast equipment costs or power requirements. The interlocking modular design allows the user to build a custom ballast flipping combination. This allows the user to run up to 20 Quick Flip modules con controlling 20 ballasts, running 40 lights (not simultaneously). Upgrading the number of Quick Flips is easy, simply use the 120-V daisy chain cord to coordinate your custom configura configuration between each light with one or multiple lighting timing cycles. Visit a store near you for more information.

Vermaplex Now distributed by Sunlight Supply, Vermaplex is a plant probiotic designed to promote vigorous plant growth, flowering, brix and fruit production in all plants. Recently OMRI listed, Vermaplex leads the field in organic microbial soil inoculants. Derived from our Pure Black Castings and plant probiotics, Vermaplex is a biological product rich in amino and humic acids. It is also an excellent source of auxin, cytokines, and natural hormones. With a two-year shelf life and a natural pH stabilizer, vermaplex will greatly reduce water and fertilizer costs. One of the few live liquid mycorrhizae products on the market, Vermaplex contains live endo- and ectomycorrhizae, which build an excellent root zone, protect the plant from root born pathogens and creates drought resistance.

As a foliar spray Vermaplex is an instant source of plant food with a 0.48-0.01-0.016 N-P-K that will never burn your plants and will create a natural competitive exclusion to plant diseases. For more information, ask a garden supply shop near you.

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PrOduCT SPOTLiGhT Super Sprouter Preforma Cutting Tray with Plugs After many years of development, Jiffy products has come up with its most aggressive blend yet, called Preforma blend. Now, Jiffy products and Sunlight Supply have teamed up to create the Super Sprouter Preforma Plug Tray. These peat-based plugs are natural and biodegradable, making for a smooth transition when transplanting. This blend has open-pore technology for excellent water-to-air ratio and is pH balanced. Visit an indoor gardening store near you for more information.

Mills Nutrients Mills Nutrients are made in the fine Dutch tradition of an easy-to-use two-part base along with additives that provide your plants with everything they need and nothing they don’t. Mills is one of the first to develop biomineral plant nutrients utilizing the best of both synthetic and organic sources optimizing growth rates, yield, flavor and aroma. Our unique composition allows growers to use the entire line in all grow mediums. Unlike completely synthetic nutrient lines, which can build up in or on top of the soil, Mills biomineral formula does not accumulate in the medium, giving the grower a tremendous advantage when pushing their plants to the limit. See an indoor growing store near you for more information.

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PrOduCT SPOTLiGhT

Aura Systems Mini-Split Quick Connect ACS The Aura AU-012 produces 12,000 BTUs of cooling power, which is enough to cool 450 sq. ft. of living space, or 3,000 W. The Aura AU-024 produces 24,000 BTUs of cooling power, which is enough to cool 900 sq. ft. of living space, or 6,000 W. The Aura AU-036 produces 36,000 BTUs of cooling power, which is enough to cool 1350 sq. ft. of living space, or 8,000 W. These units also feature the easiest, most reliable quick-connect fitting available.

To learn more, visit an indoor gardening shop near you.

Black Sea Kelp Black Sea Kelp, a pharmaceutical or food-grade kelp, is now distributed by Sunlight Supply. It is 100% organic and is harvested sustainably from the clean waters near Nova Scotia. Black Sea Kelp is 100% cold-pressed, as it is harvested from Asphullyum nodosum. Black Sea Kelp provides a balanced blend of sea-plant-derived nutrients, including amino acids, humic acid, fulvic acid, colloidal minerals and sea kelp extracts. Black Sea Kelp contains a natural rooting hormone that improves root length, root mass and the efficiency of the root system. Amino acids feed the plant directly and—more importantly—they feed the beneficial soil microbes, allowing plants to absorb nutrients more efficiently. This maximizes the effect of existing fertilizer programs. Black Sea Kelp is long-lasting, reducing the need for repeated applications, making it cost-effective. With an essential N-P-K of 1-1-17, this high potassium kelp is the finest flowering product on the market.

Ask for it at a local garden supply shop.

Floralicious Plus Floralicious® Plus is a vegan bio plant stimulator and nutrient additive. It is everything that is Floralicious, except it has been formulated to be utilized in both the vegetative and regenerative (or, flowering) stages of growth. It has five times the concentration, so its application rates are reduced. Floralicious Plus stimulates microbial activity in the plant’s root zone. This metabolic fuel solution is packed with powerful vitamins, complex plant sugars, protein-building amino acids, seaweed extracts, carbon building blocks and aromatic oils, all in a fulvic-acid base. Floralicious Plus adds quality flavor and colors and can be used for all plants in prepared soil/soilless mixes, coco blends and hydroponics.

Visit your local indoor gardening store for more information.

Sweet Myco Tea Compost teas are powerful, but they are also messy and time-consuming to make. This is why Supreme Growers have been dedicated to find an alternative. Sweet Myco Tea is a unique tea alternative that conditions and creates a living, active soil. With the combination of beneficial bacteria and molasses, Sweet Myco Tea builds a strong bacterial colony, while the molasses provides quick energy to allow the microbial colony to readily grow and expand. This bacteria helps provide bioavailable nutrition to plants when they need it most, during those heavy nutrient weeks during peak flowering. Use Sweet Myco Tea throughout the entire flowering cycle of high-stress, highvalue flowering plants. Learn more at your nearest indoor growing store.

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PrOduCT SPOTLiGhT

Sunleaves Garden Cultivator and Trowel are Essential Tools Build your tool kit around the Sunleaves Garden Cultivator and Trowel.

These classic tools are constructed from one-piece, corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy to deliver power without bending, breaking or rusting. Their soft, contoured handle coverings provide excellent grip and comfort during tough jobs.

The Cultivator has three 4-in. tines, and the Trowel has a 2.5- by 5.25-in. blade with graduated markings to show depth. These products carry limited lifetime warranties.

Find a local retailer to learn more.

Vital Earth’s Coco lite Clean shredded coco pith is a 100% natural growing medium that is naturally dried in the sun and then processed to produce Vital Earth’s Coco Lite™. When perlite and our mycorrhizal blend is added, this makes an excellent mix for growing medium for container plant growing or as a medium for hydroponics. For more information, visit a hydroponics shop near you.

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PrOduCT SPOTLiGhT SupreKelp SupreKelp is our Supreme blend of three species of brown seaweed, a natural plant superfood rich in organic compounds that plants and microbes cannot normally get on land. There are many species of brown kelp around the world and each collects different minerals and nutrients from their different environments. Supreme Growers takes three types of kelp—Ascophyllum nodosum, multiple subspecies of Sargassum and several species of Laminaria—and combine them through our patented techniques to achieve a kelp product that stands above the rest. SupreKelp blends these kelps (which are full of cytokinins) with specific rooting hormones (auxins) that maximize plant and root growth with every feeding. Call on your local hydro store to learn more.

Pure Essentials Black label Essential Mix 70/30 Coco/Perlite Mix

Sun System Dominator XXXl 6- and 8-in. Air-cooled Reflectors Sunlight Supply®, Inc. is excited to announce the arrival of the Dominator XXXL 6- and 8-in. Air-cooled Reflectors, the latest addition to the Sun System® reflector line. These new massive reflectors have increased coverage area and excellent uniformity. This allows closer placement to plants. These reflectors are completely sealed with double-gasketed glass and captured thumb screws that pull the glass frame tight for an airtight seal. As with all Sun System reflectors, they feature a 95% reflective German aluminum interior. Unmatched in output, uniformity and performance, you can’t afford to not have this reflector in your growroom. Visit a retailer near you for more information.

The Black Label Essential Mix (70% coco and 30% perlite) is ideal for fast-growing plants.

All Black Label coco undergoes a rigorous process of buffering and cleaning to ensure all impurities are washed out of the coco and then buffered with calmag twice, which gives the plant every chance of success. Perlite provides excellent drainage while trapping air and water on its irregular surface. It is neutral in reaction and has no buffering action. The Essential Mix 70/30 is made from all renewable resources. Black Label provides you with a grow medium that improves drainage and produces great results! Visit a retailer near you for more information.

Be-One Savant Plant Technologies is pleased to announce the release of Be-One, a bio-enhanced amino acid, 100% organic, OMRI-certified fertilizer pellet. Be-One is the premium choice for all-purpose gardening applications. Be-One carries an N-P-K of 3-6-5, has a complete naturally derived amino acid profile and is preinoculated with a beneficial bacteria and mychorrizal package. Be-One can be used in any soil or soiless medium. It facilitates aeration while conditioning the soil to retain fertilizer and moisture for exceptional fertility and growth. BeOne also makes an excellent addition to your compost tea brew, adding extra microbiology, amino acids and organic plant-available nutrients. Available in 1-, 5-, 20- and 44-lb. bags. For more information, visit a retailer near you.

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In the Land of Giants:

Growing BIG PLANTS for

HUMONGOUS YIELDS

By Erik Biksa

Way, way back in the prehistoric days of living giants, plants were huge. Today, Erik Biksa offers tips on how you can bring that gargantuan scale back to life in your own indoor garden.

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in the land of Giants There is something to be said for a giant specimen of your favorite plant variety or strain. When the fan leaves make you feel small and you can literally take shade beneath your cultivated plant, you will know the feeling. A single plant might occupy over 5 by 5 ft. of space at harvest time!

While that is indeed a swell feeling, most of us as growers will get even more exited at harvest time: very large yields and exceptionally high crop quality are common characteristics of large grown plants done right. This article is aimed at giving you the foundation that you need to do it.

Good yields and excellent crop quality are only some of the advantages of growing very large plants. One of the other big benefits is that growers are able to maintain lower plant counts while achieving comparable yields to more conventional planting densities. Experienced growers know that large well-developed plants are hardier; they withstand stresses that can happen during the cropping cycle much better and still yield well, whereas other less-developed plants will suffer greatly, resulting in significant yield loss.

Just like in natural settings…

More efficient than you might think Some of you reading this might be saying, “Well, I don’t want to spend all that time growing my plants out in veg before I can flower them to achieve these large yielding sizes.” Fair enough; if you did everything the same as before and just spent longer in your attempt to create a monster, you might be correct. However, when we grow monsters, we need to create the right kind of environment for our plants to show their gargantuan freakiness for us. Everything has to be bigger! If you follow the prescribed methods, the few small healthy plants you transplant into huge containers with multiple light sources (which, I admit, looks inefficient) will quickly explode and fill up that large amount of space by harvest time.

The keys to gigantic growing It is hard to say with certainty what the world was like in the time of the dinosaurs, but it seems likely that plants would have had to grow fast and large to feed those gigantic creatures. It is surmised that elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) levels and a lot of healthy bioactivity in the soil (remember, there was no pollution back then) would have created the ideal growing environment— assuming that plants behaved the same back then as they do today. Genetics would have been relatively pure at that time; although, cross-breeds would have likely occurred as pollen or seeds naturally traveled considerable distances. Still, the cross-breeding would have been nothing like what humans have done to them.

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“Good yields and excellent crop quality are only some of the advantaGes of GrowinG very larGe plants.”

Another factor that’s very difficult for us to guess on is light intensity and, possibly, spectrum (that is, we don’t know what the levels of those factors were during prehistoric times). It’s likely that light levels would have needed to be strong in order to support large and fast-growing plants that could feed herds of creatures that individually weigh more than several buses combined. So, we can surmise that gigantic plants need to be drenched in light from top to bottom.

And lastly, space; for plants to get monstrous, they will need the room to do it (this includes the necessary clearance for light fixtures and lamps).

So, in short, the components to the recipe for gargantuan plants that look like they came out of the Jurassic period are: • elevated CO2 • a very healthy and unlimited root environment • genetics that are optimal for a given growing condition and that can cause a plant to be big • huge amounts of light that hit the plant top to bottom • a lot of space

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in the land of Giants

“GarGantuan plants are GoinG to need to be supported by biGGer root systems.�

Prehistoric fuel for growth The prerequisite for being an organic creature is to contain carbon. Interestingly, substances that growers add to their crop feeding programs, such as humic acids, are actually sources of carbon for our plants and their favored microbiology. Leonardite, the source of many humic acid products, is created from highly decomposed and fossilized ancient organic matter—potentially dinosaur guano! Anyway, that entertaining fact about

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carbon aside, your plants will be able to gather more carbon (a very important building block in the growing process) from the atmosphere that surrounds the leaves via absorption of CO2 through the stomata, the tiny opening in plant leaves for exchange of gases.

Our present ambient atmospheric levels range from 400 to 600 ppm of CO2. These levels can get quite a bit higher (up to 1,200 ppm or higher) in unventilated work spaces with a high level of human occupancy. These amped-up levels are actually better for your gigantic crops. Your crop will grow much faster and larger when supplied with higher than normal ambient levels of CO2, and these very large and fast-growing plants will sense limitation if higher levels are not maintained.

As long as the roots will not overheat or get stifled of oxygen (O2 levels are diminished in warmer temperatures), you can run the growing environment a few degrees warmer with increased levels of CO2. The increased metabolic rate can be supported with higher CO2 levels, especially when factors like light, nutrients and water are also increased or adjusted. This helps to promote faster growth rates and larger yields.

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in the land of Giants

Ancient grounds A healthy root environment is highly active. In prehistoric times, consider that the soil would be free from growth-limiting contaminants and would have very specific and native species of microbiology and parent materials for feeding the plants that specifically developed in that growing region. This soil presented the “perfect storm” for crop feeding.

Today, it’s possible to develop your own microbiology and nutrient levels/diversity by creating your own mixes with raw materials or through more refined sources like prepared organic nutrient fertilizers and supplements.

Also, by using pure water either from RO-filtered sources or from condensation recaptured from dehumidifiers and air conditioners, you can help encourage healthy microbial activity that improves plant hardiness and growth rates. Tap water, on the other hand, is commonly laden with chlorine and chloramines—substances intended to kill the types of microbes that you are trying to cultivate in the root environment.

Including a supply of humates and growth-promoting substances like kelp (or kelp extracts) helps to fuel your plants. They provide a higher rate of metabolism at the roots, propelling upper portions

of the plant to grow faster and ultimately yield larger. The substances that are found in these and other sources of organic materials can make your existing crop feeding program work better too in the majority of soilless gardens.

Gargantuan plants are going to need to be supported by bigger root systems. In some hydroponic systems root space is virtually unlimited. In bare-rooted hydro, just stick with a good synthetic program with tons of oxygen and you are set. In soilless or soil-based gardens, especially indoors, you are going to want to go as big as you can with your container or grow bag. Just watch you don’t run out of vertical space between your increased container size, the clearance you need for your light and how big the plants are going to get. Raised beds are a great way to get more root space without adding vertical height, although you won’t be able to rotate your plants (unless you do mini-beds on castors). Also, don’t overlook the importance of oxygen levels in your soilless growing mediums either (hint: micro-pore space nets you more O2 than macro-pore space in the same container volume).

“you are GoinG to be blown away by how such a tiny plant can fill so much space and quickly lead to such Giant yields.”

Genetics that snarl If your plants don’t want to be big, you aren’t going to get the big bang for your buck like you might with another varietal choice. Some plants are just better suited to SOG (Sea of Green) applications because they don’t want to branch out or grow very big; it’s part of their natural tendency. Also, for the best results, look for plants that do a lot of growing once the light cycle has changed from a vegetative to flowering lighting regimen. This way, you aren’t spending gobs of money on power with longer daylight levels when you are running your grow lights 18/6 or 24/7.

There are some awesome cross-breeds out there for you to choose from. In fact, hybridization from diverse selection is the key to winning genetics; especially in this application.

It is possible to combine the harvest characteristics of the stout shorter growers with the crazy growth habits of plants that are typically known to yield less dense flowers or fruits.

So, if you are willing to grow out a seed crop and select for a mother for this project—look out! Using the types of genetics described here, a plant vegged to 18 to 24 in. can easily finish as a 5-ft. bush that can stand up to anything!

Plus, it will have solid fruits or flowers from tip to container, and the crop quality will be awesome the whole way around.

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in the land of Giants

Circling back to light For things to really kick-off, you are going to need to do something slightly counterintuitive: put a lot of lighting over a smaller plant. Admittedly, it looks rather awkward to see a single plant less than 2-ft. tall with a 1,000-W HPS vertically overhead and with a vertical 600-W positioned beside it, but fear not! If you selected your genetics appropriately, within two weeks you won’t see the floor or walls easily anymore. The space will be quickly filled with very healthy, thick-stemmed and large-leaved branches that stack up swollen flowering sites one right after the other.

Just watch that with all of this increased artificial light you don’t cook the root system. Hint: vertical lamps allow you to light the plant canopy from the side, with little or no strong light radiating onto pots or grow bags. Also, to save on power, you can relay which lights come on and off during the lighting cycle; essentially, this is a system for moving light while lamps remain stationary. Hydro growers can add chillers to their reservoirs if conditions in the reservoir or root zone begin to heat past optimal levels.

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“if you selected your Genetics appropriately, within two weeks you won’t see the floor or walls easily anymore.”

Space—you’re gonna need it If you haven’t given this method a go before and you create the types of conditions described above, you are going to be blown away by how such a tiny plant can fill so much space and quickly lead to such giant yields. However, this will only happen if you provide it with lots of space.

It might take a crop cycle to get your planting density relative to your set-up and variety type perfected, but the bottom line is that you won’t need nearly as much time in veg as you think. The first week or two will simply just look inefficient compared to what you are used to seeing; after that, it is confident to say that you will be a believer.

So, there you have it, take the leap of faith and give this prehistoric growing method a try for results you can club your friends over the head with.

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NOT SO SIMILAR:

by Sylvia Bernstein

12 Ways

Aquaponics and Hydroponics Differ

Erik Biksa 5pgs/

Aquaponics is commonly described as the marriage of aquaculture and hydroponics, but don’t

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let that fool you into thinking you can simply replace your reservoir nutrients with fresh water and some fish‌

Aquaponics is commonly described as the marriage of aquaculture and hydroponics.

From that simplistic view, you would think that anyone with a basic understanding of hydroponics ought to be able to quickly replace their reservoir nutrients with fresh water, toss in some fish and be set to grow. Not so fast!

There are actually many fairly substantial differences between aquaponic and hydroponic growing. Let me count the ways…

1. Start-up Speed

This is perhaps the biggest downside to aquaponics from a hydroponics perspective, so I’d like to get it out of the way up front. In hydroponics, you just add commercially formulated nutrients to your nutrient reservoir and you are immediately growing. With aquaponics, it takes from one to six weeks to start your system by developing a colony of nitrifying bacteria through a process called cycling. The ammonia from the fish waste will not be converted into the nutrients that the plants are seeking until this process is complete.

2. relationShip with bacteria Hydroponic systems tend to be fairly sterile. I’ve visited hydroponic growing facilities where I had to wear coveralls and a hairnet to enter. Not so with aquaponics. Bacteria are revered by aquaponic gardeners because, as described above, they are the engines that drive our systems.

Bacteria

are revered by aquaponic gardeners because, as described above, they are the engines that drive our systems.”

Maximum Yield USA | June 2013

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not so similar

3. Flood-and-drain cycle

Hydroponic growers who use flood-and-drain techniques generally only fertigate their plants once every four to six hours. Academic studies and vast, collective experience have shown that this optimizes the water and fertilizer the plants need. When you move to an aquaponics system, however, the ideal schedule changes to flooding at least once an hour. The reason is that the grow bed now has taken on the additional role of being both the mechanical and biological filter for the fish waste. If you only ran the fish water through the filter every four to six hours, fish waste would build to dangerous levels.

4. Grow bed depth

Hydroponic growers tend to use standard

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6-in. flood tables and put planted pots or cubes in the flood trays. Again, because aquaponics grow beds serve the dual roles of both home for the plants and filter for the fish waste, both must to be considered and optimized. Most media-based aquaponic gardeners use 12-in. grow beds filled with an inert media. Over the years, side-by-side trials have shown that this depth of grow bed develops the kind of robust bacteria colony needed to not only filter the liquid waste, but also to provide an excellent home for composting red worms and the heterotrophic bacteria needed to break down the solid waste from the fish.

5. nutrientS (Supplementation)

Hydroponic gardeners live and die by their nutrients and the supplements to those nutrients. Not so with aquaponic gardeners. The goal of an aquaponic garden is to achieve a balanced ecosystem. Everything that goes into the system must work towards this end goal and not harm any other element of the system. Anything added to the system to boost plant growth could harm the fish

Just as

with healthy soil, a healthy aquaponics system just keeps getting better and better the longer it operates.” and possibly the bacteria colony and the composting worms. There are a few exceptions to this, including the use of liquid seaweed, small amounts of chelated iron and a few minerals to adjust pH. But beyond those, aquaponic gardeners will think long and hard before adding anything to their systems besides fish feed.

6. nutrientS (dumpinG)

Hydroponic nutrients must be dumped and replaced on a regular basis to address nutrient imbalances that arise over time. This concept mystifies an aquaponic gardener. We only top up the fish tank with dechlorinated water and never dump and replace it unless there is a severe, unexpected problem. The aquaponic gardener would query, “Why on earth would you get rid of all that beautiful fish waste?” The notion of nutrient imbalance is as foreign to an aquaponic gardener as it is to an organic soil gardener. Just as with healthy soil, a healthy aquaponics system just keeps getting better and better the longer it operates.

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not so similar

an aquaponics

gardener must strike a pH compromise to meet the somewhat differing needs of the plants, fish and bacteria.”

Bernstein 4.5 pages

7. plant diSeaSe

When I oversaw the plant grow lab at AeroGrow, we were constantly worried about disease. We sterilized anything that ever came into contact with the plants, their roots or the nutrient solution. The disease we feared the most was a fungus called pythium (or, root rot), which is widely considered the scourge of hydroponics. Fortunately, pythium is almost non-existent in aquaponics. Researchers in Australia are currently studying why this is so, but my money is on all the bacteria and other living organisms in an aquaponics system. Logically, they would help boost immunity, just as bacteria helps boost our own body’s immunity. Hydroponics is more of a “boy in the bubble” by comparison. In addition, the very high oxygen levels in an aquaponics system and the activity of the composting worms to clean up dead plant matter probably both help mitigate disease outbreaks.

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not so similar

8. temperature

An important part of an effective program to prevent pythium outbreaks in hydroponics is to make sure that the nutrient solution doesn’t get above 70°F. Warm water is a perfect breeding ground for fungus, so keeping the water temperature below optimal breeding conditions for pythium makes sense. In aquaponics, however, the primary drivers of temperature are the requirements of the fish. The most widely used fish in North American aquaponics (after goldfish) are tilapia, and tilapia does best in water that is between 74° and 80° F. The bacterium that drives the system is also happiest in that temperature range. Fortunately, pythium is so rare in aquaponics that it doesn’t present an issue. The plants don’t seem to mind either, as a 2005 report by Dr. Nick Savidov at the Crop Diversification Centre in Alberta, Canada, showed aquaponics is every bit as effective at growing plants as hydroponics.

9. ph

Optimal pH in a hydroponics system is 5.5 to 6.0. An aquaponics gardener must strike a pH compromise to meet the somewhat differing needs of the plants, fish and bacteria. Optimal pH is 6.8 to 7.0, which is again more closely related to what an organic soil gardener would target.

10. ec

Along with pH and water temperature, electrical conductivity (EC) is the other measure that is closely tracked in hydroponics. EC is a measurement of the salts in the nutrient reservoir that tells the

hydroponic gardener how concentrated the nutrient solution is. This works because hydroponic nutrients are generally found in mineral salt form. Aquaponic plants, on the other hand, are fed by the organic waste from the fish, which has very little salts. EC is therefore not a useful nutrient concentration measure in an aquaponics system. Aquaponics requires confidence in Mother Nature, rather than a managed system requiring intense control. Once a system has been constructed using a set of generally accepted rules of thumb and has been fully cycled (ammonia and nitrite levels have dropped to zero), the only measures an aquaponic gardener monitors are temperature, pH, ammonia and nitrates. If nitrates are low (close to zero), add more fish to the system. If nitrates are high (above 150) add more grow beds and/or plants. It’s as simple as that.

11. inSect control

Hydroponics

is a system for growing plants under highly optimized conditions.

Aquaponics creates a complete ecosystem in which various living creatures all interact to create a symbiotic whole.”

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You’ve probably guessed by now that since aquaponics is an organic system that uses fish, special care needs to be taken with regard to insect control. Even commonly used organic sprays such as insecticidal soap can be harmful if over-sprayed into the fish tank. On the plus side, you can engage your fish in your insect control efforts. If I have an insect problem on a small plant, such as young peppers or salad greens, I’ll remove them from the grow bed and let them soak in the fish tank for up to an hour. The bugs eventually loosen their grip on the plant and become fish food. And if you are lucky, the fish might even accelerate the process by nibbling the bugs directly off your plants. I also know of people who have hung Bug Zappers over their fish tank as an additional form of feed for their fish.

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not so similar

12. ecoSyStem

Hydroponics is a system for growing plants under highly optimized conditions. Aquaponics creates a complete ecosystem in which various living creatures all interact to create a symbiotic whole. We use worms, liquid seaweed

aquaponics

is, above all else, an ecosystem where plants, fish, bacteria and worms all live together in a beautifully balanced symbiotic relationship.�

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and beneficial insects as team members, each with jobs to perform, rather than trying to isolate the plants and nutrients into single, definable, segregated components. Aquaponics is, above all else, an ecosystem where plants, fish, bacteria and worms all live together in a beautifully balanced symbiotic relationship.

So, there you have it. Think of running a hydroponic system as a master puppeteer runs a puppet show.

The system, just like marionettes, won’t move a finger without the grower pulling the strings (i.e. adjusting nutrients, finely tuning pH, supplementing with additives, etc.). The aquaponic gardener, in contrast, is more like the conductor of an orchestra. He is merely trying to keep all the elements of the ecosystem timed together so that nature can take over and bring the entire system into harmony. The choice of which style you prefer is entirely up to you.

Sylvia Bernstein is the author of Aquaponic Gardening: A Step by Step Guide to Growing Fish and Vegetables Together. She is also the president of The Aquaponic Source, and the co-founder and past vice chairman of the Aquaponics Association. Before discovering aquaponics, she was the vice president of marketing and product development for AeroGrow International.

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growing for heAlth

Maintain Your Differences:

bY DaviD Kessler We have all had that friend that needs to control everything, from where you eat to what movie you see. While that friend might need to loosen up (or seek professional medical attention), controlling all aspects of your garden will repay you in spades.

Indoor gardening is all about control— control over photoperiod, control over temperature, control over plant nutrition, etc. By controlling everything from the photoperiod to the specific nutrition a plant receives, we effectively remove all barriers that could hinder our plants. Optimally, that control will allow them to reach their maximum genetic potential.

An often overlooked environmental factor that can greatly impact your plants is the DIF, or the day/night differential. DIF is the difference in the highest daytime (lights on) temperature and the lowest nighttime (lights off) temperature. Control over your DIF will give you control over your plant’s height and internodal spacing without the use 70

Maximum Yield USA | June 2013

of dangerous or untested chemicals or growth regulators.

Research about DIF is not new to science.

Back in 1944, Dr. Frits Warmolt Went made detailed observations about the effect of the nighttime temperature (Tn) on the stem growth rates of tomato plants. He originally proposed the term “thermoperiodicity” to describe the apparently greater rate of plant growth and development in diurnally fluctuating temperatures compared to plants grown at constant temperatures. Although his research was disproven in 1990 by Ellis et al., Went’s research was the beginning of our attempts to understand the impact of temperature on plant growth.

In 1983, while studying the effects of temperature on the Easter lily (Lilium longiflorum), it was observed that there was an interaction between day and night temperatures that affected the length of the floral stem. This relationship, coined DIF (Erwin et al., 1989), was used to describe the elongation of the stem in response to diurnal thermoperiod and photoperiod interaction.

They noted that the magnitude and nature of the internodal elongation varied between different species and also between different cultivars of the same species.

Plant height or stem length is simply the sum of the lengths of each of the internodes.

“control over your dif will Give you control over your plant’s heiGht and internodal spacinG without the use of danGerous or untested chemicals or Growth reGulators.”

Therefore, to control plant height one must manage internode number, internode length or both. The number of nodes and the length of each internode (the distance from one node to the next) are strongly influenced by temperature. As DIF increases, so does the internode length of most plants. It is important to understand that the effect of DIF on internode length is due to increased cell elongation and not an increased number of individual plant cells. Plants respond rapidly to changes in DIF, with altered growth rates that are often observable in as little as 24 hours.

Although managing your garden’s DIF will afford you some control over your plant’s internodal elongation, there are factors that influence or compound the DIF response.

The average daily temperature influences internode length and thus the response to DIF in many plants. The quality of the light being received by your plants has been shown to influence the DIF response, presumably through effects related to phytochrome photoequalibria (Moe and Heins, 1990). While incandescent lighting used for photoperiod control can eliminate a plant’s response to DIF, fluorescent lighting has been shown to increase the response (Moe et al., 1991).

With the proven effects of DIF at controlling plant height, how do you exploit this information to grow a better garden? First, daytime and nighttime temperatures must be controlled independently and excess

humidity must be removed from the air by using dehumidifiers. Watch for significant increases in your DIF; a large swing between your daytime and nighttime temperature will bring a marked increase in humidity. If the high nighttime humidity level is left unchecked, it can lead to mold and disease on your fruits and flowers.

During the vegetative light cycle (18 hours on, six hours off), your target DIF should be five degrees Fahrenheit.

Try to maintain a daytime or “lights on” temperature of 85°F, and 80°F when the lights are off. For the blooming or fruiting phase of your plant’s life cycle (12 hours on, 12 hours off), your target DIF should still be five degrees Fahrenheit; however, the daytime maximum temperature should be limited to 80°F and your nighttime temperature should be 75°F. By maintaining the DIF at 5 degrees, your plants will exhibit the tightest internodal growth, lowering the overall size of your plants while building a tight network of branches.

Remember that the temperature and DIF recommendations above are starting points as different species and cultivars (or clones) will react differently to a controlled DIF. Still, controlling your DIF could make all the difference to your garden!

David Kessler heads research and development at Atlantis Hydroponics and writes for their popular blog. David has over two decades of experience and multiple degrees from the State University of New York. He’s also an accredited judge for the American Orchid Society and travels the world judging orchid events. Follow his blog at atlantishydroponics.wordpress.com Maximum Yield USA | June 2013

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Fabric Pots: A New Container Revolution

By Helene Isbell

Container gardening is not a new concept, but the types of containers that offer the ability to produce unprecedented amounts of food are indeed revolutionary‌

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In days of old, as in less than a century ago, people relied on small-scale farms and gardens to grow the food they needed to feed their families. It was commonplace for each household to have a veggie plot on their land. Nowadays, with the onset of industrialized commercial agriculture, food had been confined to the walls of cans, bags and boxes. It is then processed to preserve it, and shipped across the country before it reaches the mouths it was intended to feed. In the modern era of fast, cheap and convenient, many children grow up not even knowing where food comes from!

As industry has pushed rural folk toward cities, giving birth to the sprawl of suburbia, many people have given up on gardening as a way to provide themselves with safely grown, nutritious produce. In densely packed urban centers, growing any plant can seem nearly impossible. However, not all hope is lost! Thanks to the numerous benefits of container gardening, just about any plant imaginable can be grown in even the most concrete of jungles.

“cultures throuGhout the aGes have embraced container GardeninG as an innovative and effective way to Grow food.�

Container gardening is not a new or revolutionary concept.

Cultures throughout the ages have embraced container gardening as an innovative and effective way to grow food.

From the millennia of pottery that has been unearthed in archaeological excavations across the globe to the famed hanging gardens of Babylon, container gardens have etched their importance into the pages of history. What is revolutionary are the simple, yet effective, types of containers that have been popping up in the modern-day marketplace with the ability to produce crop yields of unprecedented proportions.

When we think of container gardening, a terra cotta flower pot, a decorative ceramic planter or a standard black plastic nursery pot are probably the first images that come to mind.

While those receptacles, of course, have the ability to contain soil or a medium, it’s the fabric aeration containers that are taking the hydroponics industry by storm and really blowing other pots out of the water.

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contain yourself What is a fabric aeration container? Well, it’s pretty much exactly what it sounds like. It’s a container made from a breathable fabric that works as a great alternative to traditional pots—its benefits are many and the results are noticeable! Here are a few of the advantages that these fabric pots bring to the table:

promotes aIr prunIng of the roots and prevents roots cIrclIng In standard plastic nursery pots, roots grow outward and eventually hit the impenetrable walls of the pot, leaving them with nowhere to go. They travel downward and then hit the bottom of the pot. Again with nowhere to go, they begin to spiral around one another, choking each other out and becoming “root bound.” This leads to a stressedout plant, stunted growth and ultimately a smaller harvest.

In the fabric pot, the roots grow outward and when they reach the side, they are naturally pruned by the air and light instead of traveling down and circling.

Improves root structure and mass When the roots become air pruned by the fabric, the plant begins to shoot out new feeder roots. The increase in root mass provides more area of root matter that can uptake water and nutrients, allowing the plant to grow bigger and at an accelerated rate.

aerates the root zone and regulates temperature The breathable fabric allows oxygen to aerate the root zone from all sides, rather than from just the top. The oxygenation helps beneficial microbes in the soil thrive and contributes to a healthy rhizosphere (the living area around the roots), as the breathability and evaporative cooling helps keep temperatures low (conversely, temperatures in plastic pots reach such extreme levels that they could literally cook the microbiology in the soil). It’s like wearing a wet t-shirt rather than a trash bag.

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contain yourself

“in standard plastic nursery pots, roots Grow outward and eventually hit the impenetrable walls of the pot, leavin leavinG them with nowhere to Go.”

prevents overwaterIng

QualIty

The porous fabric provides excellent drainage on all sides so the roots don’t get overwatered and drown.

Overwatering is also one of the main causes of mold and pathogens, so sufficient drainage is crucial to preventing it.

When investing your hard-earned money into your garden, it is far worth a slightly higher initial investment to buy superior quality materials. You want bags that you can use crop after crop for years. Look for fabric bags that will last for a long time, and won’t rip after a couple of uses. Try to find bags that are UV-protected so they won’t break apart after minimal sun exposure. This will reduce the frequency that you have to buy them, and actually save you money over time. Your best bet would be to invest in a bag made in the United States with quality proprietary fabric. Also, be sure to ask which bags are food-grade.

can be used In hydro systems Water can get out… and in! They work great in ebband-flow systems, allowing water to penetrate the bag and be absorbed by the medium. They also act as a filter, allowing a grower to use a soilless medium in a hydroponic system without the threat of the medium clogging the tubes and various components.

makes growIng food possIble where soIl condItIons are poor Fabric aeration bags make gardening possible where it would not have been before!

mobIle The containers are flexible, so they are easy to fold up and store when not in use. They can also be moved to different locations around a yard if sunlight only reaches certain areas at different times of the day.

Since fabric aeration containers have made their debut into the hydroponics industry, they have been the buzz in growrooms around the world. When choosing a fabric pot for optimal crops and maximum yields, keep in mind that not all pots are created equally! Here are some features to look for when choosing the best fabric pot for you:

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be mIndful of the materIal Many fabric bags will boast that they are “made from recycled materials” and “degradable.” Recycled materials could be anything from used plastic bottles or recycled textiles to cotton fabrics. Depending on the raw source, “recycled” materials could lead to the leaching of toxins into the root zone. Cotton has the tendency to attract disease and pathogens. “Degradable” simply means that it falls apart, which is not a good thing!

keep It sImple Look for a good strong bag without mechanical components. While zippers, Velcro and straps might seem cool and convenient, they are the first pieces to get clogged with soil, fail and be rendered useless way too soon. Handles can be helpful, if the bag will be moved around frequently.

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contain yourself

“a Great quality fabric aeration container combined with premium orGanic nutrients, plenty of liGht and ample ventilation are the key components to achievinG some of the larGest yields in history.�

A great quality fabric aeration container combined with premium organic nutrients, plenty of light and ample ventilation are the key components to achieving some of the largest yields in history. Side-by-side tests in fabric aeration containers versus plastic pots prove noticeable differences in plant quality and yield size. With fabric containers, the possibilities are virtually limitless! They have made it possible for urbanites in metropolitan areas to grow on balconies, porches, vertical walls and rooftops, leaving them no excuse not to grow their own food—a hopeful notion for a society that has become so far removed from their food source. Incorporate some fabric bags into your garden and see for yourself just how impressive the results can be!

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By Eric Hopper

Lush, vibrant growth is always a good thing in a garden; however, indoor growers don’t have a lot of room to spare…

Thankfully, we’ve devised a number of techniques and products that will help gently curb your plants’ enthusiasm.

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a Gentle, GuidinG hand

We become almost giddy with excitement as our indoor or outdoor gardens flourish. After all, luscious, vibrant growth is a terrific thing. However, most indoor (and some outdoor) gardens have limited space, which can become a problem when things start to grow like an unruly jungle. For indoor horticulturists, it is imperative to control and shape a garden’s growth in order to maintain a plant canopy that lies in the room’s optimal light energy. Horticulturists can take many different approaches to control or shape their gardens. Each technique has its advantages and many methods can be used in conjunction.

Ultimately, only the grower can determine which technique or method will work best for the given situation.

“For indoor Horticulturists, it is imperAtive to control And sHApe A gArden’s growtH in order to mAintAin A plAnt cAnopy tHAt lies in tHe room’s optimAl ligHt energy.”

Growth control

During the vegetative stage, fast-growing annual plants like tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, peas and many others can quickly get out of control if left unattended. One of the reasons a grower will implement garden shaping techniques is to better control the growth or vegetative stage of the plants. Growers who shape their gardens tend to make the most efficient use of their space. This is important for indoor horticulturists because light energy in an indoor garden is limited. There are essentially two ways to shape a garden during vegetative growth: physically cutting the plants or manipulating the way the plants grow.

topping By physically cutting the plants during the vegetative stage, the grower is actually using a common growth control technique known as topping. This technique can be used indoors or outdoors. When the shoots emerging from the plant’s main stem are cut, new shoots will appear at the node site just below where the cut was made. Most plant varieties will experience a multiplication effect with this technique.

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a Gentle, GuidinG hand

“once tHe grower creAtes A tAut netting oF trellis, He or sHe cAn weAve, bend, spreAd or otHerwise mAnipulAte tHe plAnts into plAce.”

When one shoot is cut, two will emerge from the node site and take the cut shoot’s place. Topping allows the grower to shape and maximize growth at the same time. This multiplication of new shoots also equates to more flower or fruit sets when the plant enters its blooming stage of growth. Again, this is especially advantageous for the indoor horticulturist.

Having a multitude of flower or fruit sets in the optimal light energy zone ensures an indoor horticulturist will get the largest yields possible.

ttying down Growers who don’t want to physically cut their plants but still need to control the growth can implement suga technique known as tying down. As its name sug gests, this technique entails bending the plant and tying it down to some sort of permanent structure (usually the plant’s container or sometimes even the plant itself). This technique can be used indoors or outdoors to spread the plant out and create a bushy vegetative growth. Growers can accomplish this by pulling each main shoot away from the center and tying it down. As the light penetrates the once shaded center, new shoots will emerge and fill in the gap left after spreading the plant. Indoor horticulturists use this technique to manipulate plant varieties that tend to grow out of control.

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a Gentle, GuidinG hand

trellising Another popular technique for controlling the growth of plants is using trellis netting. Trellis netting is usually made from a nylon or similar material that can be stretched taut into place. Once the grower creates a taut netting of trellis, he or she can weave, bend, spread or otherwise manipulate the plants into place. Trellis netting for the indoor horticulturist is an invaluable tool. It can be used in combination with the other growth control techniques or as a stand-alone plant training tool. The biggest advantage of trellis netting in an indoor garden is that the grower can create a perfectly horizontal plant canopy located in the most optimal place for light energy.

Since most indoor gardens utilize horizontally positioned horticultural lighting, the optimal area for light energy is a horizontal section located directly beneath the lights. A trellis net placed in this area ensures the grower will be getting the most efficient use of the light energy.

Indoor horticulturalists generally use trellis netting in a horizontal position, but trellis netting can be advantageous in a vertical position as well. Trellis netting stretched between two supports can be used outdoors to control a variety of climbing plants like peas or beans.

Growers can use four large stakes combined with vertically positioned trellis netting to encage large, bushy plants for better control. Vertical trellising placed against a rigid structure (a building’s south facing wall, for example) can be used to grow a variety of herbs and vegetables, including cucumbers, squash or hops.

“As long As tHe gArdener is somewHAt proActive, cAges provide support And A wAy to trAin tHe plAnts tHrougHout tHe growtH in tHe Fruiting or Flowering stAges.�

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a Gentle, GuidinG hand article

GivinG support

As annual plants reach the end of their vegetative growth and begin their fruiting or flowering stage, they might need a little support. Whether it is because of the sheer weight of the vegetative growth itself or in preparation for the large fruit or flowers to come, growers can use a variety of techniques to give their gardens some support.

caging For tomato plants or other fast-growing annuals that bear heavy fruit, cages are a great way to make sure the plant is supported. Cages can be made of wood, plastic or metal.

As long as the gardener is somewhat proactive, cages provide support and a way to train the plants throughout the growth in the fruiting or flowering stages. Cages can also be used as a structure that growers tie the plants to.

staking The classic technique that never gets old. Staking plants is the easiest and sometimes the most logical way for growers to quickly give their plants some support. Plant stems can be tied to or leaned against stakes in order to maintain a plant’s upward position. Some growers use four or more stakes around the perimeter of each plant and then use twine or wire to create their own custom cage. Large stakes can also be used to support trellis netting in either horizontal or vertical positions.

trellising Trellis netting is just as valuable for giving support as it is for controlling growth. Growers who implemented trellis netting as a growth control technique will also gain support from the trellis netting. Plants that are continuously weaved in the trellis net will automatically get support during their fruiting or flowering stage. Since the plant is

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“tHere Are mAny tecHniques gArdeners cAn implement into tHeir gArdens, botH indoors And outdoors, tHAt will drAmAticAlly increAse perFormAnce; However, Few cAn compAre to tHe beneFits oF trAining, trimming or supporting tHeir plAnts.” already trained through the trellis, the fruit or flowers will be supported once they become heavy. Gardeners use trellis netting as a support system for their plants even if they did not have a growth control technique implemented. A trellis net can be stretched horizontally just above the plant canopy as the plants reach their fruiting or flowering stage.

The plants will continue to grow through the trellis netting and when the fruit or flowers become heavy the trellis will help to support the plant.

There are many techniques gardeners can implement into their gardens, both indoors and outdoors, that will dramatically increase performance; however, few can compare to the benefits of training, trimming or supporting their plants. These simple techniques can lead to huge differences. Indoor horticulturists are destined to gain the largest benefits from these techniques because all of them help to better utilize their garden’s light energy. By choosing one or several of the various techniques used to manipulate plant growth and/or give support, growers can better stimulate their garden’s growth and inexpensively increase production to maximize their return.

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Slow Sand

Filtration

by Dr. Lynette Morgan Sometimes taking your time truly does produce better results, which is why microfiltration using sand is one of the best defenses against nutrient-borne pathogens (and if you’re careful, the sand won’t get into the cracks…)

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Slow Sand filtration

Healthy root systems free of pathogens is the objective of every hydroponic gardener.

Battling the dreaded pythium and other root rot pathogens in a hydroponic system can be a demoralizing and long-term issue for some growers, with little in the way of effective chemical or other controls. Even when roots look pristine, white and healthy, we all worry from time to time if nasties are starting to invade our hydroponic nutrient or causing issues without us even knowing what might be occurring at the microscopic level. One of the best defenses against nutrient-borne pathogens is other beneficial microbes. In fact, if present in high populations and combined with effective microfiltration, control over problematic phytopathogens becomes an extremely effective practice.

“Since the 1980s, Slow Sand filtration haS been under inveStigation for itS uSe in cleaning up irrigation or waSte water from horticultural operationS.”

Slow sand filtration

Brown diseased roots (right) caused by pythium, a disease which is dispersed by the nutrient solution.

Slow sand filtration, sometimes termed biofiltration, is a method of drinking water purification that has been around for well over a century. Since the 1980s, slow sand filtration has been under investigation for its use in cleaning up irrigation or waste water from horticultural operations. Even more recent and precise studies have evaluated biofiltration as a means of eliminating nutrient-borne plant pathogens like pythium, phytophthora, verticillium, fusarium and others. So, large-scale commercial hydroponic operations around the world are now incorporating huge slow sand filters as a way of not only dealing with waste water, but to also purify and control nutrient-borne pathogens in recirculating hydroponic systems. What is particularly exciting about slow sand filtration methods for smaller growers and indoor gardens is that the system can be scaled down to fit any size system and is relatively easy to construct and run with little cost to the grower.

How does slow sand filtration work?

A slow sand filter works on a number of different levels.

Firstly, the filter material (traditionally sand, though other materials can also be used) screens out any organic or suspended matter—for example, algae small pieces of root or plant material, sediment, etc.—from the nutrient solution. Secondly, and more importantly, the filter material provides a home with a large surface area for a wide range of beneficial microbial inhabitants. These beneficial microbes are what provide the biological filtration that has been shown to remove pathogens at up to 99% efficiency.

The principle behind slow sand filtration is that the nutrient solution applied must flow very slowly through the bed of fine material. If rates of nutrient solution flow are too rapid, the removal of plant pathogens is compromised and the filter might not be effective for disease control. Nutrient solution flow rates for biofiltration must be within the range 2.4 to 6 gal. per square foot of filter surface area per hour. So, for a small hydroponic indoor 92

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Slow Sand filtration that needs to be treated every day. Some growers treat their incoming water supply with slow sand filtration before it is used to make up a nutrient solution or is added as top-up water to a reservoir. This is a good idea whenever rain, pond, stream, river or shallow well water is used as the hydroponic supply because these sources can all contain plant pathogen spores. Those with clean and good-quality water supplies can simply use a slow sand filter to keep the recirculating nutrient clean and free of disease pathogens and to help inoculate the nutrient solution with beneficial microbes.

How to construct a slow sand filter

There are small slow sand filters that can be purchased as a complete, ready-made unit. Typically, these are designed for the aquarium industry and might not have the capacity or

Slow sand filtration can be used for cleaning up water supplies, as well as nutrient solutions.

garden with a recirculating system where the nutrient solution needs to be treated, a slow sand filter with 1 sq. ft. of surface area and set at a depth of at least 23 in. will be able to filter 2.4 to 6 gal. of nutrient solution per hour. Once the nutrient solution has slowly flowed through the filter and collected from the base, it can be returned to the hydroponic system. Using this recommended flow rate it is possible to calculate the size of slow sand filter required based on the amount of nutrient solution

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“Some growerS treat their incoming water Supply with Slow Sand filtration before it iS uSed to make up a nutrient Solution or iS added aS top up water to a reServoir.� type of filter material that is optimal for hydroponics. Most growers who utilize slow sand filtration construct their own filters based on the size required for their hydroponic system and nutrient requirements. For a small indoor garden, a slow sand filter can be made from a plastic bin, deep bucket or large diameter plastic pipe—all that must be provided is a depth of at least 23 in. or more. The top of the filter needs to be open to the air as oxygen is a vital component of biological filtration. The base of the filter is filled with coarse, clean drainage sand or gravel (about 5/16 to 7/16 in.); the middle levels of the filter with finer sand (about 1/ to 5/ in.) and the top layer with the 16 16 finest grade of sand (0 to about 1/16 in.).

The finest top layer of sand should be at least 15-in. deep, as this is where the majority of the biological filtration will occur.

Some research has been carried out into using granulated rockwool as the filter body material as an alternative to sand and this has proven to be highly effective particularly in smaller filters. Granulated rockwool can also have the advantage of being cleaner and less likely to leak fine sand into the lower layers of the filter.

Slow Sand filtration

Slow sand filters use cheap, and readily available materials.

Filter operation

Nutrient solution or water to be treated must be slowly dripped or sprayed onto the top of the slow sand filter so as not to dislodge or disrupt the filter surface. Spraying the water/nutrient solution to be treated onto the filter surface helps oxygenation, which is important as the bacteria in the filter bed require oxygen to function. A shallow layer of water (supernatant water) must remain over the surface of the sand to keep it moist, while the slow flow rate is controlled by the outlet in the base of the filter system with an in-line tap. Nutrient solution flowing through a slow sand filter will undergo biological filtration; however, this process will not change the physical or

“what iS particularly exciting about Slow Sand filtration methodS for Smaller growerS and indoor gardenS iS that the SyStem can be Scaled down to fit any Size SyStem.” chemical nature of the solution. As such, pH, EC and levels of individual ions won’t change during filtration. What can occur is that dissolved oxygen levels in the nutrient solution can drop as the solution flows through the filter material, which becomes highly populated with microbial life, thus increasing the biological oxygen demand (BOD). Aeration of the solution in the nutrient reservoir or before it is added back into the hydroponic system can be achieved with air stones and pumps or by the cascade/fountain method.

Slow sand filters, once set up, should be relatively troublefree; however, depending on the organic loading of the water supply or nutrient solution, they could need some maintenance. Over time, the top of the filter bed can become clogged and need the top 1 to 2 in. removed and replaced to allow nutrient to flow freely through the sand.

These processes should only be carried out when absolutely necessary, as this top layer is rich in biologically active micro-organisms that help break down organic matter.

The effectiveness of a slow sand filter is dependent on a number of factors, the main one being flow rate. While the flow rate of nutrient solution through the filter is 96

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Slow Sand filtration recommended to be within the range 2.4 to 6 gal. per square foot of filter surface area per hour, there is a negative correlation between flow rate and removal of plant pathogens.

For that reason, flow rates of 2.5 to 3 gal. per square foot per hour would be recommended when problems with pythium and other pathogens exist. The efficiency of the filter is also dependent on the health and species diversity of the microbial populations that develop inside the filter. While it’s not a requirement to inoculate a new filter with microbial mixtures, as these will naturally develop over time, it is advisable to age a new slow sand filter for a few weeks before it is required to treat nutrient or water. Microbial populations also work most effectively in warm temperatures, with sufficient oxygen and with moisture; so, the filter material should not be permitted to dry out, even when not in use.

Slow sand filtration, if constructed and run at the correct flow rates, is highly effective against a wide range of root disease pathogens that can be carried in the water supply or nutrient solution. As a passive disinfection technique, slow sand filtration is easy to set up, cost effective, environmentally friendly and low maintenance. Its only limitations are that some space is required to house the filter and that it is largely ineffective against viruses and nematodes. For indoor growers experiencing ongoing root rot pathogen problems, slow sand filtration could be one of the best options for safe, long-term disease control.

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The signs of a root pathogen attack may be obvious in most cases, but not always.

References and sources of information “Spatial and Temporal Analysis of the Microbial Community in Slow Sand Filters Used for Treating Horticultural Irrigation Water.” (2003). Applied Environmental Microbiology, Vol. 69 (Is. 4), 2116 – 2125.

Barth GE, Hall B and Chinnock S. (1997). The Uses of Slow Sand Filtration for Disease Control in Recirculating Hydroponic Systems. Proceedings of the 4th National Conference of the Australian Hydroponics Association.

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The Myth of

MILK

& Roses

By Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott

According to popular legend, milk sprayed onto rose leaves will prevent fungal and bacterial diseases. But, is that true? Read on to find out‌

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Milk has been

the myth of milk & roSeS

part of the horticultural toolbox for many decadeS; for inStance, it haS been uSed with varying effectiveneSS aS a Spreader or Sticker in peSticide applicationS.

The myth

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In the last few years, the Internet has been abuzz with the news that spraying milk on rose leaves can control foliar diseases. The web stories most often cite a Brazilian study published in 1999 focusing on powdery mildew control on zucchini. This new alternative to conventional fungicides has been augmented with anecdotal reports of successful powdery mildew control on a variety of plants, including roses.

Moreover, the treatment is also touted as preventing leaf black spot, thus giving hope to rose aficionados everywhere of a safe, effective method of growing disease-free specimens.

The reality

Milk has been part of the horticultural toolbox for many decades; for instance, it has been used with varying effectiveness as a spreader or sticker in pesticide applications.

Perhaps the best-documented use of milk has been in reducing the transmission of leaf viruses, especially tobacco mosaic and other mosaic viruses. Studies over the last half of the 20th century document the effectiveness of milk used for this purpose (Table 1).

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the myth of milk & roSeS

Table 1:

Effectiveness of milk products in protecting leaves from viruses

Location

Year

crop

MiLk product

conditions

effective?

Australia

1967

Sugar cane

Evaporated

Field

Somewhat

Brazil

2001

Zucchini

Raw + leaf extract

Field

Yes

Brit. Col.

1964

Tomato

Unknown

Unknown

Yes

Florida

2004

Hibiscus

Non-fat dry

Field

Yes

Germany

1971

Spinach

Full cream

Greenhouse

Yes

Beans

Full cream

Greenhouse

Yes

Beets

Full cream

Greenhouse

Yes

Celery

Full cream

Greenhouse

Yes

Pea

Full cream

Greenhouse

Yes

Potato

Full cream

Greenhouse

No

Hawaii

1994

Orchid

Non-fat

Laboratory

No

India

2003

Sunflower

Non-fat

Field

Somewhat

Manitoba

1959

Barley

Non-fat

Field

Yes

New Zealand

1943

Tobacco

Unknown

Field

Yes

Quebec

1968

Tomato

Unknown

Unknown

Yes

Russia

1961

Tobacco

Whey

Laboratory

Somewhat

Taiwan

1991

Pepper

Non-fat

Field

No

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the myth of milk & roSeS

Table 2: Effectiveness of milk products in protecting leaves from powdery mildew Location

Year

crop

MiLk product

conditions

effective?

Australia

2000

Melon

Full and half

Field

Somewhat

Brazil

2005

Pumpkin

Raw

Field

Yes

Pumpkin

Pasteurized

Field

Yes

Brazil

1999

Zucchini

Fresh

Greenhouse

Yes

Italy

2003

Cucurbits

Unknown

Field

Inconclusive

Italy

2002

Cucurbits

Fresh

Greenhouse

Yes

Cucurbits

Dried

Greenhouse

Yes

Cucurbits

Fresh

Field

Yes/No

Cucurbits

Dried

Field

Yes/No

Wheat

Pasteurized

Greenhouse

Yes

UK

2003

The effectiveness of milk sprays in reducing virus transmission probably improves with the concentration of the milk product used; milk concentrations of 20% non-fat dry or 30% fresh were reported as effective in the Florida and Brazil studies, respectively. Milk is routinely recommended as an organic hand sanitizer when handling virus-susceptible seedlings for transplant.

How milk functions as an antiviral agent is not clear, but there are a few attractive hypotheses. First, milk might deactivate viruses chemically or isolate them physically; hence the success of milk as a sterilizing treatment. Second, milk could prevent aphid attack, and thus transmission of aphid-borne viruses. Aphids could be deterred by the milk film on the leaf or attacked by aphid pathogens whose growth is enhanced by milk sprays; a 2003 study identified just such a fungal agent on treated pepper leaves.

Recently, milk has made an appearance as an antifungal agent, specifically in powdery mildew prevention (Table 2).

[Note that there have been no published scientific studies investigating roses or any other ornamental plant species.]

Milk is

routinely recommended aS an organic hand Sanitizer when handling viruSSuSceptible SeedlingS for tranSplant.�

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the myth of milk & roSeS

“unleSS plant material iS actually challenged by (expoSed to) the diSeaSe or peSt of intereSt, it iS impoSSible to attribute the SubSequent lack of diSeaSe or peStS to that treatment.”

The results of these studies suggest that milk treatment under controlled (greenhouse) conditions is more successful than in the field. None of these studies utilized non-fat milk, so it’s unclear whether it would show any efficacy. In general, it appears that milk applied before fungal inoculation is more effective than milk applied after infection is present.

Stems and lower leaf surfaces might be less protected, especially under high disease incidence.

This last point is important when considering the value of anecdotal claims of the effectiveness of milk or any other pesticide treatment. Unless plant material is actually challenged by (exposed to) the disease or pest of interest, it is impossible to attribute the subsequent lack of disease or pests to that treatment. Statements such as, “Last year I had horrible black spot problems, but this year I used milk spray and my roses are disease-free” display faulty logic in the assumption of cause and effect where none might actually exist. So, is it worth trying milk as a treatment for viruses, powdery mildew or any other disease? Absolutely! There is substantial evidence that milk treatments can be effective in the protection of some crops, and organic farmers especially might benefit from this method. But, on which plant species will milk treatment prevent disease? What pathogens are actually inhibited by milk products, and which milk products are the most effective? Until these questions have been answered, it will be impossible to devise a reliable application protocol.

There are a few potential drawbacks to using milk as a foliar spray: • Milk fat can produce unpleasant odors as it breaks down.

• The benign fungal organisms that colonize leaves and break down milk can be aesthetically unattractive.

• Dried skim milk has been reported to induce black rot, soft rot and Alternaria leaf spot on treated cruciferous crops.

The bottom line

✦ There is no evidence that milk sprays are effective in controlling black spot on roses or any other ornamental plant species. ✦ Milk sprayed onto leaves might act as a nutrient source for benign micro-organisms, decreasing the leaf area available for powdery mildew to infect. ✦ Leaves coated with a milk spray might be less vulnerable to aphid attack, thereby reducing the transmission of aphid-borne viruses. ✦ Milk sprays can encourage the growth of other micro-organisms, whose presence can be aesthetically unappealing. ✦ Milk sprays could be a viable alternative to conventional pesticides, especially for organic farmers.

Author Linda Chalker-Scott, Ph.D., is an extension horticulturist and an associate professor at Washington State University’s Puyallup Research and Extension Center. She can be found online at theinformedgardener.com

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AvAnT GArdeninG

Magnesium in Soil

by Guy Sela

12

Mg

Magnesium 24.305

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Magnesium deficiency, like any deficiency, leads to a reduction in yields.

Read on to discover why this element is so important to have around...

Magnesium (Mg) is an essential plant nutrient. It has a wide range of key roles in many plant functions. One of the magnesium’s well-known roles is in the photosynthesis process, as it is a building block of the chlorophyll that makes leaves appear green. Magnesium deficiency might be a significant limiting factor in crop production.

Magnesium pools in soils In soil, magnesium is present in three fractions:

➊

Magnesium in soil solution – Magnesium in soil solution is in equilibrium with the exchangeable magnesium and is readily available for plants.

➋

Exchangeable magnesium – This is the most important fraction for determining the magnesium that is available to plants. This fraction consists of the magnesium held by clay particles and organic matter. It is in equilibrium with magnesium in soil solution.

➌

Non-exchangeable magnesium – Consists of the magnesium that is a constituent of primary minerals in the soil. The break-down process of minerals in soils is very slow. Therefore, this magnesium fraction is not available to plants.

Magnesium uptake by plants Plants take up magnesium in its ionic form Mg+2, which is the form of dissolved magnesium in the soil solution. The uptake of magnesium by plants is dominated by two main processes: first, passive uptake driven by transpiration stream and second, diffusion. Magnesium ions move from zones of high concentration to zones of lower concentration. Therefore, the magnesium amounts that the plant can take up depend on its concentration in the soil solution and on the capacity of the soil to replenish the soil solution with magnesium.

Magnesium availability and uptake Conditions such as low soil pH, low temperatures, dry soil conditions and high levels of competing elements like potassium and calcium reduce the availability of magnesium.

Under such conditions, magnesium deficiency is more likely.

Effect of Soil pH on magnesium availability In low-pH soils, the solubility of magnesium decreases and it becomes less available. Due to the large hydrated radius of the magnesium ion, the strength of its bond to the exchange sites in soil is relatively low. Acidic soils increase the tendency

of magnesium to leach because they have less exchangeable sites (lower CEC). In addition, elements such as manganese and aluminum become more soluble in acidic soils, resulting in reduced magnesium uptake.

Other positive-charged ions, such as potassium and ammonium, can also compete with magnesium and reduce its uptake and translocation from the roots to upper plant parts. Therefore, excessive applications of these nutrients might prompt magnesium deficiency. Care should be especially taken in sandy soils, as their CEC is low and they can hold less magnesium.

Magnesium deficiencies Magnesium deficiency, like any deficiency, leads to reduction in yield. It also leads to higher susceptibility to plant disease.

Since magnesium is mobile within the plant, deficiency symptoms appear on lower and older leaves first. The first symptom is pale leaves, which then develop an interveinal chlorosis. In some plants, reddish or purple spots will appear on the leaves. The expression of symptoms is greatly dependent on the intensity to which leaves are exposed to light.

Deficient plants that are exposed to high light intensities will show more symptoms.

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article

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the driving force

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Transpiration is the word for describing the evaporative process of water from plant leaf surfaces. This process provides the driving force for the absorption of water and element ions into plant roots and then into the xylem vessels for upward distribution throughout the plant.

The rate and extent of evaporation of water from the plant leaf surfaces are determined by four external factors: 1. the vapor pressure deficient, which is the difference in water vapor content at the leaf surface and in the surrounding atmosphere 2. air temperature 3. wind movement over the leaf surface 4. incident sunlight Transpiration can be essentially stopped when plant leaves are surrounded by a water-saturated atmosphere (high relative humidity).

As for the plant, the rate of water loss from its leaf surfaces is correlated with: ❯ the water content in the leaves, as well as the whole plant ❯ the physical characteristics of the leaf surface (type of cuticle) ❯ the number of leaf stomata and whether they are open (which increases loss) or closed (which decreases loss). The amount of water evaporated from leaf surfaces is particularly and significantly affected by this.

“tranSpiration can be eSSentially Stopped when plant leaveS are Surrounded by a water-Saturated atmoSphere (high relative humidity).”

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Greenwa y N

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the driving force The rate and extent of water absorption by plant roots will depend on these five physical conditions: 1. the root surface area in contact with the rooting medium 2. quantity of water around the roots 3. extent of aeration (oxygen level) around the roots 4. the salt content (EC level) of the water surrounding the root 5. temperature 6. physiochemical properties of the rooting medium (i.e. organic matter content, cation exchange capacity, texture and structure, etc.)

Also, the rate and extent of water absorption will be determined by the pull of water up the xylem vessel generated by the transpiration rate. The degree of this force can be measured by observing changes in the diameter of plant stems and tree trunks with changing atmospheric conditions and availability of water around the plant roots.

Only live, actively respiring roots can absorb water, meaning that the roots must be in an aerobic (containing oxygen) environment. The plants will wilt when oxygen is insufficient. Plants will also wilt when the temperature of the rooting medium is less than the atmospheric temperature, particularly when the atmospheric demand is high. The optimum temperature range for optimum root function is between 68 to 86oF.

“only live, actively reSpiring rootS can abSorb water, meaning that the rootS muSt be in an aerobic (containing oxygen) environment.�

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the driving force

There exisTs a natural barrier (cell membraneS) at the root interface that the element ionS muSt traverSe in order to be taken into the root cellS to be then depoSited into the xylem veSSelS.�

Water moves up the plant in the xylem vessels, the rate and extent of movement dependent on the quantity of water being drawn into the roots and the rate and extent of transpiration occurring at the leaf surfaces.

When the atmospheric demand is high, a plant will wilt when there is insufficient water being drawn into the plant through its roots.

With the absorption of water through the roots, the elements in solution are also carried into the root. In order for elemental absorption to occur, the elements must be in an ionic form. There exists a natural barrier (cell membranes) at the root interface that the element ions must traverse in order to be taken into the root cells to be then deposited into the xylem vessels. It is not well-understood how element ions transverse this barrier.

There are 118

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the driving force

rooTs

cells

ions

respiration

plant

molecules

absorption

nutrient

waTer synergistic

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There are two theories, one being that there exists a carrier system that complexes with the element ions, and then the complex is carried through the barrier. The other theory proposes the existence of a biophysical-mechanical system, known as ion pumps, that provides the means for transference. Both of these

elemental ion absorption to occur. There also exist both synergistic and competitive processes that will determine the extent of ion absorption based on electrical charge (anions versus cations) and level of charge (mono-, di- or trivalent). Most molecules are not able to traverse cell membranes, although some have suggested that small molecules might be able to enter the root, possibly into the so-called free space that exists in plant root cells.

Water and nutrient movement within the plant is also related to fruit and plant disorders. Blossom end rot in tomato, for example, is triggered by water stress within the tomato plant; in particular, when insufficient quantities of calcium-carrying

proposed methods of ion transport require energy that is derived from root respiration. Therefore, the roots must be alive and functioning in an aerobic atmosphere in order for

water are being delivered to the developing tomato fruit.

Magnesium deficiency is another disorder that is triggered by water stress. This deficiency occurs when the water level around the plant root is low over extended periods, and when this is coupled with cation competition favoring the absorption of potassium and calcium. In summary, water and elemental ion absorption into plant roots and then their movement within the plant is driven by transpiration, which creates a vapor pressure gradient within the xylem vessels. When faced with a possible plant nutrient element deficiency, its cause could be due to periods of water stress.

Keeping the rooting medium supplied with sufficient water, as well as maintaining aerobic conditions within the rooting medium, will ensure plant nutrient element sufficiency. That in turn results in sustained optimum plant growth. For the greenhouse grower, controlling the relative humidity in the greenhouse atmosphere is essential to ensure plant nutrient element sufficiency, as periods of high relative humidity will slow transpiration, which reduces the absorption of the essential plant nutrient elements than can lead to an insufficiency, thus resulting in poor plant growth and product yield.

Maximum Yield USA | June 2013

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Green thumb GardeninG tips and tricks

The Ultimate Gardening Challenge:

Tips on How to Grow

Celery

by Heather Rhoades

Who would’ve thought that the ultimate gardening challenge would come in the form of one of the least exotic vegetables around‌ Growing celery is generally considered to be the ultimate vegetable gardening challenge. It has a very long growing season but a very low tolerance for both heat and cold. There is not much flavor difference between the homegrown variety and the storebought variety, so most gardeners grow a celery plant purely for the challenge it poses. Read on to find out more about the best way to grow celery in your garden.

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Starting celery SeedS Because a celery plant has such a long maturity time, you need to start celery seeds indoors at least eight to 10 weeks before the last frost date for your area (unless you live in a location with long growing seasons).

Celery seeds are tiny and tricky to plant. Try mixing them with sand and then sprinkling the sand/seed mix over the pots you will be starting the celery plants in. Cover the seeds with just a little bit of soil. Celery seeds like to be planted shallow.

Once the celery seeds have sprouted and are large enough, either thin the seedlings or prick them out to their own pots.

Planting celery in the garden Once the temperatures outside are consistently above 50°F, you can plant your celery into your garden. Remember that celery is very temperature sensitive, so don’t plant it out too early or you will kill or weaken the celery plant.

Unless you live in a location that is ideal to grow celery plants, you are best planting your celery where it will get six hours of sun, but preferably somewhere that the celery plant will be shaded for the hottest part of the day.

Also, make sure that where you will be growing celery has rich soil. Celery needs lots of nutrients to grow well.

There is not much flavor difference between the homegrown variety and the store-bought variety, so most gardeners grow a celery plant purely for the challenge it poses.”

grow celery in your garden A growing celery plant needs a lot of water. Celery cannot tolerate drought of any kind. If the ground is not kept consistently and evenly moist, it will negatively affect the taste of the celery.

You will also need to fertilize regularly to keep up with the nutrient needs of the celery plant.

Blanching celery Blanching celery turns the green part of the plant white. Many gardeners prefer to blanche their celery to make them more tender, but be aware that doing this also reduces the amount of vitamins in the celery plant.

Blanching celery is done one of two ways. The first way is to just slowly build a mound around a growing celery plant. Every few days add a little more dirt and at harvest the celery plant will be blanched.

The other method is to cover the lower half of the celery plant with thick brown paper or cardboard a few weeks before you plan to harvest the celery.

Now that you know how to grow celery, you can give it a try in your own garden. We can’t guarantee that you will be able to grow celery successfully, but at least you can say you tried.

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s, and e ix m g in tt o p r o il o s r s really in you a w t a h w n o ti s e ur dirt. u o q y r n o Eve t ir d e th 's re e h wing? Well, ro g r u o y ts c e ff a it w o h 126

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Soil is a combination of minerals, organic matter, air and water. On a farm, plants are often grown directly in soil fields. Container gardens on the other hand, often use a potting mix for a growing media that contain little actual soil (which is not necessarily a bad thing).

The minerals in soil are usually in the forms of sand, silt or clay. The reason that clays pack together so tightly (which is good for pottery, but not as good in large amounts for plants) is particle size. A pile of boulders will have lots of airspace between them (perhaps large enough to sit in). A pile of pebbles, however, will fit together much closer,

“Too much clay in soil allows it to pack so closely together that it can limit the amount of air available and cause difficulties with growth.”

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so will have less airspace between them. Sand, silt and clays are just finer grades of rocks. Ideally they will have a surface that will allow for air and water to nestle between the particles. Too much clay in soil allows it to pack so closely together that it can limit the amount of air available and cause difficulties with growth. This is why soils high in clay are often amended with a lighter media. At least a little clay can be very beneficial because as the comparatively large surface area allows for easier mineral access for the plants.

Also, since clay tends to have a negative charge, it attracts positively charged nutrient ions, allowing them to be held to await the root system. Granite dust can be used as a substitute or to diversify the mineral content of a media.

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the Dirt on soil anD potting mixes

“some meDia holDs water better than others, which means that they can go longer between waterings—but the traDe-off is they are more apt to have overwatering issues.”

There are drawbacks to using soil in containers. It is very heavy, which makes sense since it is mostly a pile of very small rocks and moisture.

It also drains best in containers that are larger and deeper than are usually convenient. And since drainage is critical, soil as a container media is prone to overwatering. While these limitations have little impact on a field of flowers, they do have an impact when used in flower pots.

To overcome these problems, potting soils are often made out of lighter materials known as soilless mediums. Some media holds water better than others, which means that they can go longer between waterings—but the trade-off is they are more apt to have overwatering issues. Rockwool for example, holds water very well, but cannot be allowed to sit in water for long or else the plants will drown. Clay pellets, on the other end of the spectrum, do not hold water as well and must be watered often; however, they are very difficult to overwater. Perlite has a nice balance of water retention and aeration, but floats when dry.

Commercial mixes are available, which can be very convenient. One benefit to purchasing premixed potting mixes is that they often include a variety of components and save the consumer from having too many half-filled bags of ingredients in the garage. Also, mixing large amounts of potting mix by hand can be strenuous work, and miscalculations with the amendments used in the recipe used can be damaging to the plants.

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Still, potting mixes can be made at home, and almost every gardener I’ve run into that mixes their own has their own recipe.

For a general purpose potting soil, mix the following:

1 To 2 parTs planT composT (homemade or from a trusted source).

Plant compost can be made at home with relative ease in a backyard compost bin. Make sure the compost is mature before use; it should be broken down into unidentifiable bits and have a pleasant “earthy” aroma. I use compost made from garden/lawn waste and

“One benefiT TO purchasing premixed pOTTing mixes is ThaT They OfTen include a varieTy Of cOmpOnenTs and save The cOnsumer frOm having TOO many half-filled bags Of ingredienTs in The garage.” veggie scraps. If purchasing, make sure to obtain clean, high-quality plant compost that does not contain biosolids.

Composted animal manure can be substituted for up to half of the total compost.

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the Dirt on soil anD potting mixes 1 parT peaT, coir or wood chips Although peat has been a staple of potting mixes for many years, there is concern about overharvesting and environmental impact. Fortunately coir (which is a by-product of the coconut industry) is both a renewable resource and an acceptable alternative. I have switched to coir entirely in my own garden. The quality of coir on the market today is much improved from some of the early versions available to the consumer. Since the peat and coir are used interchangeably, a combination of the two can be used. Wood chips vary greatly in size and quality, so inspect carefully before purchasing.

1 parT perliTe, vermiculiTe or expanded recycled glass The compost and coir hold water well, and adding perlite or vermiculite helps lighten the mix.

Although my personal preference is for the larger perlite in potting mixes, most of my pot“make sure ting mix perlite comes from my hydroponic the compost is system and is of the smaller variety mature before (which also works). use; it should be Expanded recycled glass is similar in broken down into function to unidentifiable large perlite.

bits and have a pleasant ‘earthy’ aroma.”

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the Dirt on soil anD potting mixes

1 parT qualiTy earThworm casTings (optional) Earthworm castings contain an array of beneficial micro-organisms and bacteria picked up as it passes through the worms.

any quanTiTy of a high-qualiTy commercial poTTing mix (optional) Several of the beneficial additives in these mixes can be helpful in even small amounts, so including some with your homemade mix can improve the overall quality of the product.

Mix the three (or five) ingredients well, and use as you would normal potting mix. This is a nice starting place, but there are other amendments that you might want to consider as well.

Silica sand or rock powder, for example, can be included to add weight to the mixture and for the slow release of trace minerals over the course of the season (just use these in in moderation). Nitrogen additives—such as alfalfa meal, blood meal, cottonseed meal, seabird guano, feather meal or

“silica sand Or rOck pOwder, fOr example, can be included TO add weighT TO The mixTure and fOr The slOw release Of Trace minerals Over The cOurse Of The seasOn (jusT use These in in mOderaTiOn).”

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the Dirt on soil anD potting mixes fish meal—can give the plants a starting source of nitrogen. Phosphorus can be added in forms like rock phosphate (which has a very slow release time, making it a good choice to add to the starting mix), bone meal or high-phosphorus guanos and manures. Potassium is found in potash and langbeinite, which can be added to the base mix. By adding nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium sources to the starting mix, reliance on early additional fertilization is reduced. As these initial sources are used up, additional nutrients can be top-dressed and watered into the mix, or replaced by normal plant feedings.

Three other amendments to consider adding to the mix are kelp, lime and mycorrhizal fungi. Kelp adds many helpful micronutrients, beneficial plant hormones and small amounts of other plant growth aids, such as enzymes.

Limes—such as shell meal, limestone or dolomite—can be used to raise pH in acidic conditions and are a source of calcium (and, in the case of dolomite, magnesium).

Limes are commonly used to offset the lower pH of peat (if used), so should not be used if a large amount of earthworm castings have been added, as they also raise pH. Adding mycorrhizal fungi powders can introduce a colony if one is not already present. A light dusting of the roots during transplanting can make sure the powder comes in contact with the host roots.

There are a variety of other recipes available to try, and other additives and amendments that can be used. Making perfect potting soil is much like making the perfect meatloaf; there is a general consensus about approximately what should be in the end-product, but the exact details on ingredients and amounts vary from person to person. In my own garden, I use a combination of homemade and commercial potting mixes. I mix my own more often than not, but if I need more potting mix than I have compost ready, I

use a couple bags of store-bought, or I’ll throw in some premium mix in along with the other ingredients if I’m making a large batch. Since I send any healthy potting mix back through the compost pile after harvest (after rinsing if I suspect a lot of salt residue), along with the new material being composted, the potting mix is continually being refreshed and reamended, and waste is kept to a minimum.

Even if a gardener chooses the convenience of purchasing a commercial potting mix over making their own, they should have some understanding of the ingredients so they can make informed selections. Although gardening non-hydroponically is commonly referred to as “soil” by lay people, soil is actually an uncommon container growing media. Soilless mixes are much more common. Starting with a good potting mix can make a world of difference in how well a container garden performs.

“limes—such as shell meal, limestone or Dolomite—can be useD to raise ph in aciDic conDitions anD are a source of calcium (anD, in the case of Dolomite, magnesium).”

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beGinner’s corner

Growing on the Edge:

Windowsill Gardening Other than bringing a baby into this world, or adopting a puppy or kitten, there’s no better way to bring new life into your home than by adding some greenery. Not to say that babies and fourlegged friends don’t offer the same fulfillment as growing your own garden, but plants are much easier to keep happy... and they don’t wake you up in the middle of the night or chew your favor favorite shoes. They just sit there in search of light, air and moisture, and they look cute while doing it.

Windowsill gardening is also a great way to bring color and texture to a room. Even the apartmentdweller can find the space to beautify; all it takes is a well-lit windowsill, some pots, plants and a good attitude—the rest just kind of takes care of itself. Plus, windowsill gardens serve multiple purposes in that they literally breathe air into the space. And, you’re in for a treat if your plants are the food-bearing kind, especially during the winter months when outdoor growing isn’t happening.

But during the summer, windowsill gardening can get somewhat tricky, as temperatures soar and the sun’s powerful rays beat down and threaten such life. Below are a few tips to starting and maintaining a windowsill garden, while keeping your plants burn-free. Feel free to offer your own, and enrich the information that’s already available.

by Karen Wilkinson

Growing on the Edge: Windowsill Gardening

by Karen Wilkinson It always feels like you’re standing on the brink of a new adventure when you consider bringing a new companion into your home— even if that new friend is a windowsill plant! Here’s a crash course on how to grow on the edge.

Other than bringing a baby into this world, or adopting a puppy or kitten, there’s no better way to bring new life into your home than by adding some greenery. Not to say that babies and four-legged friends don’t offer the same fulfillment as growing your own garden, but plants are much easier to keep happy... and they don’t wake you up in the middle of the night or chew your favorite shoes. They just sit there in search of light, air and moisture, and they look cute while doing it.

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It always feels like you’re standing on the brink of a new adventure when you consider bringing a new companion into your home—even if that new friend is a windowsill plant! Here’s a crash course on how to grow on the edge.

Tip #1: Choose the sunniest, best windowsill in your house. Eastern or southern exposure is ideal.

Western-facing windows give off intense after afternoon heat, making life challenging for less healthy plants. Also, make sure trees and builddon’t block sun’sway light that the area Windowsill ings gardening is alsothe a great toand bring color receives at least of direct sunlight and texture to a room.

Even six thehours apartment-dweller can a day.

If needed, addall artificial A white or lightfind the space to beautify; it takeslighting. is a well-lit windowcolored prove useful as well; sill, some pots, plantsroom and awill good attitude—the restlight just colreflect the Plus, light, windowsill while darkgardens interior serve surfaces kind of takesors care of itself. absorbinlight. Finally, try to breathe avoid windowsills multiple purposes that they literally air into near heating vents or cooking the space. And, you’re in for a treat if appliances, your plants which are thewill naturalduring humidity the air. food-bearingupset kind,the especially theinwinter months when outdoor growing isn’t happening.

Tip #2

tiP #4

However, during the summer, windowsill gardenthe proper container.

If starting with plants, get a brown tips and spider mites. ing canChoose get somewhat tricky, as temperatures soar Water the plants as needed, using room temperature container that is at least 6to 12-in. deep.

Herbs can grow and the sun’s powerful rays beat down and threatwater.

Use the Tipold #6 “stick your finger in it” method. inlife. a wide or long you’ve and got more than one en such Below are acontainer. few tips toIfstarting That is, stick your in the soilGive andyour if it’splants dry, give Rotate finger those beauties. a quarter turn crop per container,garden, make sure there’s enough breathing maintaining a windowsill while keeping it some water; if it is damp or wet, then let it be.

Tooso as to ensure it each week to expose all sides to the sun, (and root system) room so they don’t have to compete your plants burn-free. Feel free to offer your own, much can lead to fungus. Water your indoor evenly. for light, water and nutrients.

Then,available. you can get all artsywatergrows and enrich the information that’s already plants in the morning on sunny days ideally, as evapoand make decorative arrangements by combining dif difration slows on cloudy, cool days.

Tip #7 ferent crops together, like tomato and leaf lettuce. But, Rinse them off. Vegetable crops are susceptible to aphids, again, just be sure the container allows plenty of room Choosefor the sunniest, best windowsill mites and whiteflies, so give indoor plants a strong rinse the different roots to grow. in your house.

Eastern or southern exposure is ideal. Westerntwo weeks or so. You the plant outside to Squirt themevery if needed.

To counter thecan drytake air, espefacing Tip windows or do the kitchen faucet. #3 give off intense afternoon heat, cially in thespray, summer or itinbeneath heated homes during the Just be sure makingChoose life challenging for less healthy plants. check the the plants undersides of leaves to verify a quick-maturing plant for vegetables. Indoor winter, mistto around frequently.

Dryness canany bugs have Also, make sure trees and buildings don’t block been washed away. mites. vegetable gardening has nearly all the same requirements lead to brown tips and spider the sun’s light and that the area receives at water least and protection as an outdoor garden—bright light, six hours of direct sunlight a day.

If needed, add from pests and diseases—but there is dramatically less artificial lighting.

A white or light-colored room space. So, growing quick-maturing crops planted in quick will prove useful as light colors reflect indoor the succession is well; ideal. Also, try growing cropsRotate close those beauties. Give your plants a quarter turn each week to expose all sides to the sun, so as light, while dark interior surfaces absorb light. to its natural outdoor growing season. to ensure it grows evenly.

Finally, try to avoid windowsills near heating vents or cooking appliances, which will upset Tip #4 the natural humidity in as theneeded, air.

Water the plants using room temperature

tiP #1:

tiP #5

tiP #6

tiP #7

water. Use the old “stick your finger in it” method.Rinse Thatthem off. Vegetable crops are susceptible to is, stick your finger in the soil and if it’s dry, give itaphids, some mites and whiteflies, so give indoor plants a if it is damp or wet, then letwith it be. Too much waterrinse every two weeks or so. You can take the strong Choosewater; the proper container.

If starting can lead to fungus. Water your indoor plants in the plant outside to spray, or do it beneath the kitchen plants, get a container that is at least 6- to 12-in. morning on sunny days ideally, as evaporation slows on faucet.

Just be sure to check the undersides of leaves deep. Herbs can grow in a wide or long container. cloudy, cool days. to verify any bugs have been washed away.

If you’ve got more than one crop per container, make sure there’s enough breathing (and root sysTip #5 tem) room so they don’t have to compete for light, Squirt them if Then, needed. counter dryand air, especially water and nutrients. youTocan get allthe artsy in the summer or in heated homes during make decorative arrangements by combining dif- the winter, thelike plants frequently.

Dryness ferent mist cropsaround together, tomato and leaf lettuce.can lead to But, again, just be sure the container allows plenty of room for the different roots to grow.

tiP #2

tiP #3 Choose a quick-maturing plant for vegetables.

Indoor vegetable gardening has nearly all the same requirements as an outdoor garden—bright light, water and protection from pests and diseases—but there is dramatically less space. So, growing quickmaturing crops planted in quick succession is ideal. Also, try growing indoor crops close to their natural outdoor growing season.

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kiTchen scrap

GardeninG by matt lebannister

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When one thinks about gardening using kitchen scraps, the first thing that might come to mind is creating compost from banana peels and coffee grinds, but there are several other ways kitchen scraps can lead to great gardens.

The secret to the beginnings of a great garden can often be found in an unexpected place. The scraps of vegetables that are thrown away after making a soup or casserole can actually be utilized and transformed into a healthy garden with very little effort.

“The scraps of veGeTables ThaT are Thrown away afTer makinG a soup or casserole can acTually be uTilized and Transformed inTo a healThy Garden wiTh very liTTle efforT.” Green onions

Green onions are garnish that can add tons of flavor to many dishes like baked potatoes, quesadillas, salads, etc.

Next time you cook with green onions, don’t throw away the bottom. The white bulb with roots can be planted in

“nexT Time you cook wiTh Green onions, don’T Throw away The boTTom. The whiTe bulb wiTh rooTs can be planTed in Topsoil and placed in a sunny windowsill.”

topsoil and placed in a sunny windowsill. In a couple days, they will begin to grow and the shoots will break the surface of the topsoil. You can periodically harvest the top few inches of the green onion as needed for your recipes and the green onion will recover and continue to grow.

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kitchen scrap garDening

“a whole sweet potato or around half of a regular potato can be regrown by suspending the potatoes partially in water.�

carrots

Next time you are cutting up carrots (not baby carrots) for a meal, keep the tops where the leaves grow out of them. Place the carrot tops in a small amount of water, and replace the water periodically. Do not completely submerge the tops. Eventually the carrots will regrow their leaves and send down roots. They can then be transplanted into topsoil and be harvested in a couple months. To check the progress of your carrots, gently remove soil around one side of the carrot.

sweet and regular potatoes

A whole sweet potato or around half of a regular potato can be regrown by suspending the potatoes partially in water.

Stuffing the potatoes into the mouth of a jar or poking toothpicks into them to brace them above the water can accomplish this. After a week roots will grow on the sweet potato and the potatoes will grow eyes.

They can then be transplanted into topsoil. Gently digging beside your potatoes will allow you to check their progress.

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Ginger root

After using a part of a whole store-bought ginger root for your favorite Asian dish, save the scraps. Take a segment with a growth bud (a little round tip) and plant it into topsoil. It will eventually sprout through the earth and regenerate. You can check the progress using the same method as with the carrots and potatoes.

avocado

Next time you make your famous guacamole, save the pit from the avocado. Submerge about half of the pit in water. You can poke it with toothpicks to brace the pit to keep it suspended. Change the water periodically. It can take several weeks, but the pit should ultimately split. A root will grow down into the water and a branch will grow from the top and sprout leaves. You can then transplant the avocado into topsoil or to a hydroponic system.

Garlic

If you are like me, you have bulbs of garlic in your house that aren’t being used quick enough and they start to grow a green shoot out the top. Take a clove of garlic with one of the green shoots growing out the top of it and plant into topsoil about 1 in. down. You can also place the garlic clove into a cup or bowl with water (not too much water; just enough to cover the bottom).

The garlic clove will grow new shoots and a new cluster of cloves will begin to grow. You can harvest a few inches of the shoots or blades as needed for recipes and they will continue to grow back, or you can harvest the cloves after a couple months of growth. Do not cut back the whole sprout because no more sprouts or blades will grow.

Hopefully this guide to gardening with kitchen scraps will help you grow a healthy garden full of healthy ingredients for your next delicious culinary adventure. It should allow you to create a cycle of great meals and a bountiful garden.

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tWO KINdS OF GrOWerS,

ONe SOlUtION:

the essence of robust Plants from Sub-Saharan Africa

By James E. Kostrava There tends to be two types of growers in this world, and each has a separate set of problems with their crops. Thankfully, there is a single solution for both...

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two kinDs of growers

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989.839.2342

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“

Azadirachtin does not poison the insects like a pesticide; instead, it triggers a stop-eating response and the bugs starve to death.”

There tends to be two types of growers: amateurs/hobbyists (A.K.A “gardeners”) and professional growers (A.K.A “farmers”). It is usually pretty easy to tell them apart. Although they are both passionate about growing and very serious about their methods, their desired outcomes are quite different. A gardener wants their plants to be lush and full and healthy, but things like increasing yield are not really a concern to them. Also, indoor gardeners often don’t have serious problems with pests and diseases, so they don’t really need any sort of harsh synthetic nutrients or pesticides.

The farmer on the other hand is critically interested in yield. An increase in the amount of sellable product goes right to their bottom line—it is as simple as that. The expression “sellable fruit” doesn’t just mean that you have more plants to sell; it means that what you have is healthy, appetizing and appealing. One blemish on a vegetable or piece of fruit will render it unsellable. And then, they must be healthy. After all, how long can they sit on the shelf and still look appealing? The least bit of wrinkling or appearance of aging makes them unsellable.

It turns out that the solution for both kinds of growers is the same: pure extract from certain robust African plants.

In fact, this extract can help make the average Joe a master grower. The benefits gained from these plants have been known for a thousand years in both India and Africa. In India, they refer to some of the trees as the village pharmacy, as they are used for everything from leaf shine, fertilizer and bug repellant to curing fingernail and toenail fungus.

So, what is so magic about these plants? Over centuries, they have evolved and adapted to survive in the harshest climates on earth—such as sub-Saharan Africa. In fact, they don’t just survive; they thrive! You see these trees whenever you see an African lion safari on TV. You observe the dry desolate landscape and then, in the middle of nowhere, you see a giant, lush, green tree. They are absolutely loaded with bioactive nutrients, and some have an active ingredient called azadirachtin that protects it

from harmful pests. When locusts come through and eat everything in sight, the only plants left are the ones with azadirachtin. Azadirachtin does not poison the insects like a pesticide; instead, it triggers a stop-eating response and the bugs starve to death. Harmful pests learn that they don’t want to be anywhere near these plants, so they avoid them. Indeed, African villagers say that

“keep in mind ThaT This isn’T The neem Oil yOu’ve cOme TO knOw.” they like to gather under these trees because they provide the best shade (they remain green all year) and there are no bugs anywhere near them.

So, what exactly are these robust African plants? The most commonly known is neem. But, before we go on, keep in mind that this isn’t the neem oil you’ve come to know. In 2006, a microbiologist asked the question, “What if there was a way to extract the pure essence of the seeds from these African neem plants—not just their oil, but all of the bioactive nutrients?”

And then it was asked, “What would happen if you could make that highly concentrated liquid emulsifiable so it could be applied to plants anywhere as a foliar spray? Could the properties of these robust plants be transferred to our plants here?” It turns out that the answer is “Yes!” Maximum Yield usa | June 2013

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two kinDs of growers

Science behind the technology A research scientist that literally wrote the book on chemical extraction found a way to extract the pure essence of African plants along with 92% of their bioactive nutrients. (Traditional extraction technology, which results in neem oil, captures less than 30% of the bioactive nutrients from these plants.) He was also able to make this concentrated liquid essence emulsifiable so it would mix nicely with regular water. He sprayed it on plants and found instant results. Weak plants became healthy, and healthy plants became even healthier and increased their yield. Also, stress from pests and diseases were greatly reduced. Fruits and vegetables grown with this pure extracted plant essence stayed healthy longer after being picked, making them much more sellable. This process is known as bioadaptive supplementation.

A new product made from the pure essence of these African plants is the solution for both amateur gardeners and master growers. There are two formulations: one for professional growers that includes all 92% of the bioactive nutrients, and then a second formulation that has most of the bioactive nutrients, but lower levels of azadirachtin. Although the second formulation is not as effective in reducing stress from pests and diseases, it is still a highly effective specialty fertilizer that improv improves plant health and yield, and helps fruits and vegetables to be healthy and sellable longer. It is also half the price of the professional formulation and thus is much more in line with the pocket book of the amateur grower.

“a research scienTisT ThaT liTerally wrOTe The bOOk On chemical exTracTiOn fOund a way TO exTracT The pure essence Of african planTs alOng wiTh 92% Of Their biOacTive nuTrienTs. (TradiTiOnal exTracTiOn TechnOlOgy, which resulTs in neem Oil, capTures less Than 30% Of The biOacTive nuTrienTs frOm These planTs.)�

FIeld eld trIAlS Field trials using pure neem essence were conducted by independent testing laboratories.

Here are some of the results:

Saginaw Valley State University Field tomatoes: 70% increase in cumulative yield mass, compared to untreated control Cherry tomatoes: 17% increase in fruit count, compared to untreated control

Michigan State University Blueberries: Outperformed leading brand of chemical inputs in total percentage of marketable fruit Organic apples: Outperformed the leading OMRI-listed brand in maintaining plant health

Hillsdale College Greenhouse strawberries: Nine-fold increase in fruit count, compared to untreated control

Independent growers Poinsettias: Up to 100% increase observed in red leaves, compared to untreated control

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two kinDs of growers

Testimonials from master growers

All-natural, organic

Master growers that have field tested this product say that it would be remarkable if it performed the way it does and was synthetic. The fact that it is all-natural and organic is a huge plus. A master grower in Saginaw, Michigan, said that when he was finished with his growing season, he was very pleased with the results he had with his control group of plants (which was not surprising to him; he is a hydroponic grower that knows what he’d doing). In fact, he said he wouldn’t have given it another thought if he had not had the trial group of plants treated with the concentrated extract right next to his regular crop. The trial group looked much healthier and fuller, and he noticed a slight increase in yield. (He pointed out with high-value crops, even a slight yield increase can mean a lot of additional profit.)

An Amish farmer in Ohio said that he and his community refer to it as the “silver bullet” because this one nutrient does so many things: it is a plant fertilizer, a growth regulator and enhancer, and it helps him to control harmful pests and plant diseases. He said he has had great result using this as his only additive on organic fruits and vegetables.

Before applying synthetic plant nutrients and pesticides, professional greenhouse growers often have to suit up with special protective gear and then vacate the treated area for a period of time so they don’t poison themselves. When using the pure essence of African neem plants, however, they don’t have that concern. Since it is all-natural and organic (it contains no synthetic chemicals or heavy metals whatsoever), this extract is safe and easy to use. And what could be better than using allnatural, organic supplements to grow anything you will be eating?

“ 150

tural, organic na lal g in us an th er tt be be What could ill be eating?” w u yo ng hi yt an ow gr to supplements

Maximum Yield usa | June 2013

Green thumb GardeninG

CO 2

What

CO 2 CO 2CO 2 CO 2 CO 2 CO 2 CO 2 CO 2 CO 2 CO 2 CO 2 CO 2 CO 2 CO 2

Can Do For You

by Mark Boutwell II

carbOn diOxide plays an impOrTanT rOle in The TheaTer Of yOur grOwrOOm. read On TO learn whaT adding mOre Of iT TO yOur garden can dO fOr yOu. In my experience, the majority of growers want quick solutions to the problems they are experiencing in the growroom. I find, however, it’s best to not just help them solve their problems, but also help them understand why the problem occurred in the first place.

Understanding the issue you’re having in the growroom is the most effective start in creating great fundamental growing habits, and I can’t stress this enough when it comes to the subject of carbon dioxide in the growing environment.

So, before we talk about how to provide carbon dioxide to your plants, I want to first provide a greater understanding of its functions.

During the day, while photosynthesis is the dominant process in leaves, carbon dioxide is taken up from the air and used in the process of making sugars. At night, when 152

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photosynthesis does not occur, respiration occurs instead, which gives off carbon dioxide. Note that plants take up much more carbon dioxide in photosynthesis than they give off in respiration. As such, it’s best to water plants when the lights turn on. There will be an increase in room temperature at this time, which is when the heavier gases (carbon dioxide is one of them) lingering near the bottom of the plants will expand and get absorbed by the plant’s leaves to continue the photosynthesis process of creating energy and storing it for growth.

To create this energy, plants use some of the food they created by photosynthesis and oxidize. Imagine rust on metal; plants use dioxide to break down salts to create more usable food in order to produce energy for performing the myriad of energy-intensive functions needed to be done by the plant.

For example, plants must also build strong fibers in order

“carbOn diOxide is used TO help creaTe sugars and yOur planTs are The hungriesT when The lighTs are Turning On.”

to grow tall and withstand the wind. To accomplish this they create cellulose and lignin, which are polysaccharides (complex sugars). Because this is such an energy-intensive process, plants wait until they are under the least amount of stress. In other words, plants don’t grow during the day; they put on the yield at night.

Now that you know more about carbon dioxide, let’s see

“aT nighT, when phOTOsynThesis dOes nOT Occur, respiraTiOn Occurs insTead, which gives Off carbOn diOxide.”

how you can use it to your advantage in the growroom. As a re-cap, carbon dioxide is used to help create sugars and your plants are the hungriest when the lights are turning on. Providing a large amount of carbon dioxide in your growroom—and keeping up levels of 1,500 ppm in both large or small rooms—takes equipment involving any combination of carbon dioxide regulators, carbon dioxide tanks, propane generators or water-cooled carbon dioxide generators. These carbon dioxide solutions take some skill and know-how to set up initially.

However, they might also provide a user with more peace of mind that their plants are getting steady levels of what they want, when they want it. Alternatively, providing additional carbohydrates (sugars) at the most optimum time of environmental temperature changes, which leads to optimum carbon dioxide delivery, is (in my experience) one of the most inexpensive ways of obtaining yields similar to if you were enriching the environment with carbon dioxide.

There are many possibilities when it comes to getting more of this essential growing element using large equipment, mid-sized materials, natural methods or a combination of the three. If you’re ever in doubt, check in with an indoor gardening retail store clerk for the best solution to meet your needs and try a few things to see what works best for you and your available time and budget.

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book review

Protect

Your Garden

Protect Your Garden is a handy guide every gardener should have readily accessible. Within its full-color pages, the author provides many eco-friendly solutions for treating common and not-so-common plant ailments, as well as covering a wide range of pests, diseases, nutrient imbalances and environmental stresses that are known to harm crops.

Protect Your Garden is well-organized and thorough, making it beneficial for any level of gardener. Featuring over 100 photos, Protect Your Garden helps readers identify their problems and know what to look for. Everything is covered alphabetically so you can quickly reference what you need to know. Within each chapter, the author addresses a gardener’s most common concerns about many potential threats to their crop, but does so in an encouraging, “it’s going to get better” way.

Many pests and plant diseases can be remedied in more than one way, and this book provides a few different solutions when available and takes a nonbiased approach without favoring one treatment over conanother. For example, mealybug pests can be con trolled with neem oil, alcohol sprays, herbal and citrus oils or insecticidal soaps. From addressing common container problems, and what to do about less than ideal growroom conditions, this educational resource ensures it covers the majority of problems gardeners face. All of the remedies are natural, which lead to safe consumption of your sought after harvests.

Protect Your Garden is a reference guide and a beginners guide all in one because it’s a great refresher for experienced gardeners, yet if a gardening novice were to sit down and read the book cover to cover, one would feel like an expert gardener once they were finished. This is an informative book that doesn’t intimidate. It’s all of the answers you might be tempted to search for online, but are right there at your fingertips. Take a break from a sunny day in your garden and have a read. This new book is available through select garden retail stores like Nickel City, BWGS and Great Lakes Garden Wholesale. Visit pestanddisease.com for more information.

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AD

10 facts on... Boron

By PhiliP mcintosh

one

Boron (B)—a metalloid (has some properties of a metal and some of a nonmetal) element with atomic number five (5)—is required by all plants.

two

Boron is relatively rare on Earth and difficult to obtain in pure elemental form. However, when purified as much as possible, boron exists as a hard, black, rocky-looking crystalline material.

three

Boron has been accepted as an essential plant nutrient element since 1923.

four The structural and physiological functions of boron in plants are many and diverse. Even so, exact knowledge of the role of boron is understood at only a fairly general level.

five The best understood roles of boron are those involving cell division and cell wall formation, pollen development and cell differentiation.

six

Boron is required throughout all phases of a plant’s life cycle, but the amount needed is greatest during growth of reproductive structures (flowers).

seven

The boron concentration in healthy dried plant tissues ranges from 10 to 50 ppm.

Boron Boron Boron Boron Boron Boron Boron Boron Boron eight ron Boron Boron Boron Boron Boron Boron Bo The borate anion (BO Boron ) and the whole Boron acid form (H BO ) are both used by plants.

Boron Boron Boron Boron Boron Boron Boron Boron Boron nineBoron Boron Boron Boron Boron Bo ron Boron Boron Boron There are a couple of good reagent choices when considering how to provide boron in a nutrient solution. Boric acid (H BO ) is a common Boron Boron Boron Boron Boron Boron Boron Boron Boron reagent, as are disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (Na B O •4H O) and sodium borate (Na B O •10H O or Na [B O (OH) ]•8H O). ron Boron Boron Boron Boron Boron Boron Boron Boron Bo ten Boron Boron Boron Boron Boron Boron Boron Boron Boron Boron deficiency is marked by slow and stunted growth and, in severe cases, brittle plant structures.

Excess symptoms include discolored and Boron Bo ron Boron Boron Boron Boron Boron Boron Boron 3-

3

3

3

3

2

2

necrotic leaf margins.

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4

7

2

2

4

5

3

8

4

13

2

2

n o n o n o n o

AD

ARTICLE

talKing shoP the team at h2o (left to right): Dave, Jason, Kristin, tim, Joshua, Victoria, scott & Bob

AT A GLANCE company: Holland Hydroponic Outlet (A.K.A H2O) owners: Joshua Trudgeon, Tim Loomis & Dave Fisher location #1: 587 E. 8 St. Ste. 40 Holland, Michigan 49423 Phone: 1-616-298-7395 location #2: 604 N. Beacon Blvd.

Grand Haven, Michigan 49417 Phone: 1-616-847-1277 location #3: 1220 Phoenix Rd. South Haven, Michigan 49090 Phone: 1-269-637-5941 Web: hollandhydroponicoutlet.com motto: “Your Success is Our Success!”

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Holland

Hydroponic

Outlet

Before opening Holland Hydroponic Outlet (or H2O, as it is lovingly referred to), owners Joshua, Tim and Dave all walked different paths. Joshua worked at Gentex Corp. as an industrial engineer, Tim was completing his degree in advertising and public relations at Grand Valley State University and Dave worked in construction for many years (he also ran his own driving range back in 2000).

Then, in 2008, Joshua lost his job to downsizing. While out of work, he saw the hydroponic/indoor gardening market gaining speed; so, he took a chance. Since he and the other two soon-to-be owners were already seasoned growers, they decided to get together and try turning their passion into their work. Opening their first store in Holland, Michigan, in 2010 was the first step to this dream. The next came about 10 months later when H2O’s second store opened in Grand Haven, Michigan, and the third was two months after that when the South Haven shop opened its doors.

But we’re getting ahead of ourselves here; it wasn’t all smooth sailing in the beginning. “When we first opened, our show room was only 20 by 40 ft. and our first order was $9,000,” admits Joshua.

H2O’s main struggle was inventory; the shop didn’t even carry soil until four months in. “We would offer to order things in, but many people would just go into the larger shops in the next town,” he recalls. “We invested everything and took no wage for over a year so we could get the inventory we needed.”

However, the team at H2O quickly learned how to overcome this challenge. In particular, they learned to listen to what their customers wanted and not to buy too much of one thing.

The next hurdle—one faced by many new businesses—H2O overcame was that of gaining market share. They have accomplished this by using small business ethics in order to show their customers that they care. For example, they offer to carry out everyone’s soil. They also strive to only stock the best products.

“We’re simple in philosophy: ‘Get people started simple so they have success; when they have success, they will come back and want the next big thing,’” Joshua explains. “This has allowed us to sell with the no-hassle approach, and people like that.”

Speaking of sales, H2O is extremely proud of their employees. Indeed, Joshua lists H2O’s knowledgeable, no-hassle sales staff and the personal customer experience they provide as some of the business’ main strengths. “H2O is truly great because it is a reflection of all the great people who work here,” beams Joshua. Way back in the beginning, there were only two people working at the shop. Today, there are 15.

Joshua underscores how his employees are all friends, and how each person has a colorful personality. This not only makes working at H2O a blast, but the shop’s customer are treated to people who are “knowledgeable, fun, personable […] easy to talk to and unintimidating.”

Aside from a great staff, H2O counts their low prices, upto-date stock (including a few of their own hydro systems) and huge stores (Grand Haven is 1,500 sq. ft.; South Haven

“OuR COMPANY PHiLOSOPHY hasn’t changed; that’s why we are successful.

Mutual respect, knowledgeable staff and sMall business ethics.”

h2o keeps everything on display at their three stores.

has 8,000 sq. ft.; and the Holland store is the largest in west Michigan at over 8,000 sq. ft.) that have everything on display as their strengths—which, of course, has helped lead to great successes. “Our biggest sign of success is how we have grown and how large our customer base is,” states Joshua. “People come back and drive long distances because we know our stuff, it’s in stock and we are very easy to talk to.”

Joshua’s favorite experience, however, isn’t simply having repeat customers; it’s when he knows H2O has truly helped that person who keeps coming back. “My favorite experience is when I have customers who come in and won’t take advice because they have done something one way for years,” he explains. “After a few months, they see displays in our shop [and the] growth rate of some plants, [so] they eventually allow themselves to listen to new techniques and when they do, they always say, ‘I didn’t believe it at first, but you were right.’ Now, they are customers for life.”

So, how does a business that has found success in an ever-changing, ever-growing industry summarize their journey? As Joshua says, “Our company philosophy hasn’t changed; that’s why we are successful. Mutual respect, knowledgeable staff and small business ethics.”

And what about advice for the rest of us? In short, “You have to work harder, come in early, stay late and know your products. If you want to be here in 10 years you have to motivate, work hard and educate yourself about the market ... Listen to your customer and the market. Don’t be afraid to take a chance. If you want success, don’t be afraid to put some skin in the game. You can’t expect reward with no sacrifice.”

It’s a strategy that we can all keep in mind; after all, it definitely worked for Tim, Dave, Joshua and the team at H2O! While h2o has the space for quantity, quality is the key factor for choosing which products make the shelf.

yoU tell Us

nathan Keil of oasis grower solutions in Kent, ohio.

“we’ve been continually pushing the industry forward by developing propagation media that makes growing easier and more rewarding for weekend warriors and mass producers alike.”

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Nathan Keil of OASIS® Grower Solutions in Kent, Ohio believes not all hydroponic propagation media is created equal. Here for Maximum Yield, he shares his insights as to why not, and a little bit more about Oasis.

Can you tell us a little about the history of OASIS Grower Solutions and the company’s philosophy?

Our roots date back to 1954 when our founder, V.L. Smithers, revolutionized the market by developing the very first water-absorbing foam for florists. Since then, we’ve been continually pushing the industry forward by developing propagation media that makes growing easier and more rewarding for weekend warriors and mass producers alike. With the grower’s success being our ultimate goal, our hydroponic growing media is a big part of why OASIS Grower Solutions (OGS) has become one of the most recognized and trusted brands today.

Your soilless media are made of foam. Can you tell us more about this material and the corresponding technology? What makes your media different from what others are offering?

The beauty of our growing foam is its patented opencelled structure … just like that of a plant. So it naturally promotes vigorous root growth in a much more effective way than standard peat or stonewool-based alternatives. And you can’t beat it for consistency and uniformity, which gives you strong results time after time. Our foam’s also easy to use. It’s segmented for flexible sizing, easy to stick cuttings into and has perfectly placed dibbles to improve seeding operations.

Plus, it’s safe for both plants and people. Our foam’s plant-friendly chemistry is both inert and pathogenfree and it doesn’t contain any abrasive fibers to irritate your eyes and hands, so working with it is a breeze.

“our foam’s plant-friendly chemistry is both inert and pathogen-free” Other than foam-based media, what other products do you make?

In addition to our full line of growing and hydration foam, we manufacture several other products.

These include rooting plugs that use a special blend of long-fiber sphagnum peat moss, perlite and vermiculite bound by a non-woven cellulose net. We also manufacture greenhouse cleaners to help ensure plants get off to a nice healthy start and remain healthy through harvest time. Beyond that, we offer post-harvest products that are used widely by commercial ornamental plant growers to help keep plants and flowers vibrant and healthy longer.

Tell us more about your Grower’s Product Quality Assurance index.

Our Hi-Q 500 K program is the quality index we’ve developed to ensure our growing media measure up to our high standards of quality, consistency and performance. And it’s based on the results of more than 500,000 tests on our media over the past ten years.

In short, our index guarantees we meet the highest quality standards possible, so growers can achieve the greatest success possible. Add in our adherence to lean manufacturing principles for smart business practices and ongoing improvement, and you have a commitment to growers that’s tough to match.

ogs growing foam promotes vigorous root growth.

Do you have anything new and exciting in the R&D stage you are at liberty to tell us about?

We’ve actually just come out with a new product for commercial hydroponic growers that establishes stronger roots faster than ever before. And some recent testing has uncovered a way to improve root growth even more dramatically. Bottom line is, in our business, there’s always something new and exciting, like our developments we hope will help growers achieve their goals sooner, more costeffectively … and actually bring them more enjoyment from of the process. Unfortunately, we just can’t always talk about them openly.

What tips can you offer indoor growers who are just starting out and using your products?

The one thing I wish someone would have told me when I first got into this business is something I’d like to pass along to those just staring out: enjoy yourself. Growing is supposed to be fun, relaxing and even peaceful. So, regardless of the hustle and bustle of the business world, or your profit and loss statements for that matter, take time to embrace the enjoyment of growing. Hobbyist or professional, the enjoyment factor is key. And all the products you use should support that philosophy.

Do you only sell to commercial greenhouses, or do you also offer products for individual users?

We actually sell our products to the full gambit of customers, whether you’re talking about an individual hobbyist in California with a small greenhouse in their home, or a full-out commercial grower in Indiana who uses automated technology to work on fields that run thousands of acres. Regardless, all of our products are sold through our network of top-notch sales reps and distributors who support our customers all over the globe.

Maximum Yield Usa | June 2013

161

Do yoU KnoW? D

1.

3.

milk is routinely recommended as an organic hand sanitizer when handling virus-susceptible seedlings for transplant.

2.

tap water is commonly laden with chlorine and chloramines—substances intended to kill the types of microbes that you are trying to cultivate in the root environment.

5.

6.

having a little clay in your soil can be beneficial, as the comparatively large surface area allows for easier mineral access for the plants. also, since clay tends to have a negative charge, it attracts positively charged nutrient ions.

7.

transpiration is the evaporative process of water from plant leaf surfaces. this process provides the driving force for the absorption of water and element ions into plant roots and then into the xylem vessels for upward distribution throughout the plant.

for regular filtering, the flow rate of nutrient solution through a slow sand filter is recommended to be within the range 2.4 to 6 gal. per square foot of filter surface area per hour. if problems with pythium and other pathogens exist, a new flow rate of 2.5 to 3 gal. per square foot per hour is recommended.

there are two theories regarding how elemental ions enter a plant’s roots. one states there is a carrier system that combines with the element ions and that complex is then carried through the barrier. the other theory proposes the existence of a biophysical-mechanical system, known as ion pumps, that provides the means for transference.

10.

162

4.

slow sand filtration can be an effective way to eliminate nutrient-borne plant pathogens like pythium, phytophthora, verticillium, fusarium and others.

Dried skim milk has been reported to induce black rot, soft rot and alternaria leaf spot on treated cruciferous crops.

8.

9.

it takes from one to six weeks for an aquaponic system to start developing a colony of nitrifying bacteria through a process called cycling.

indoor horticulturalists generally use trellis netting in a horizontal position, but trellis netting can be advantageous in a vertical position as well.

Maximum Yield Usa | June 2013

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Maximum Yield Usa | June 2013

MAXiMuM YiELD distributors ALABAMA Alabama Organics 3348 Bethel Rd., Hammondville, AL 35989 256-635-0802 Hydro-Ponics Inc. (of Birmingham) 2969 Pelham Pkwy. Suite. 3 Pelham AL 35124 205-358-3009

ALASKA Far North Garden Supply 2834 Boniface Parkway, Anchorage, AK 99504 907-333-3141 Southside Garden Supply AK 12870 Old Seward Hwy., Unit 114, Anchorage, AK 99515 907-339-9997 Holmtown Nursery Inc. 1301 - 30th Ave., Fairbanks, AK 99701 907-451-8733 Sea of Green Flagstaff 204 East Route 66 Flagstaff, AZ 86001 928-774-7643 Home Grown Hydroponics 2401 East Baseline Rd. Gilbert, AZ 85234 480-633-2100 Ground Control Hydroponic & Garden Supplies 1392 Ocean Dr. Homer, AK 99603 907-235-1521 Northern Lights Greenhouse & Garden Supply Suite 105-9737 Mud Bay Rd., Ketchikan, AK 9901 907-225-GROW (4769) Mesa Hydroponics 1720 W. Southern Ave, Ste. C7 Mesa, AZ 85202 480-969-4769 Alaska Jack’s Hydroponics and Garden Supply 1150 S. Colony Way, Ste.9, Palmer, AK 99645 907-746-4774 Peninsula Garden Supply AK 44224 Sterling Highway, Suite 4, Soldotna, AK 99669 907-420-0401 Alaska Jack’s Hydroponics and Garden Supply 244 S Sylvan Way Unit 25 Wasilla AK 99654 907-373-4757 Far North Garden Supply 300 Centaur Street, Wasilla, AK 99654 907-376-7586

ARIZONA Happy Harvesters Hydroponics 1400 S. Arizona Ave. Suite11 Chandler AZ 85286 480-857-8878 Arizona Hydroponics 3900 E Western Dr #D Cottonwood AZ 86326 928-649-1138 Sea of Green Flagstaff 204-C E. Route 66, Flagstaff, AZ 86001 928-774-SOGF (7643) Home Grown Hydroponics 2401 East Baseline Rd. Gilbert AZ 85234 480-633-2100 The Hydro Closet 5826 West Olive Ave. #106, Glendale, AZ 85302 602-361-2049 The Grow Shop LLC 1733 E. McDowell Rd. Phoenix AZ 85006 602-340-7591 Home Grown Hydroponics 1838 W. Bell Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85023 602-368-4005

Retail Stores listed alphabetically by city in each state.

Sea of Green West 2340 W. Bell Rd., Suite 116, Phoenix, AZ 602-504-8842

American Hydroponics 286 South G St., Arcata, CA 95521 800-458-6543

Show Low Hydroponics 1400 E. Deuce of Clubs #2 Show Low, AZ 85901 928-537-4606

Let it Grow 160 Westwood Center, Arcata, CA 95521 707-822-8733 _________________________

ACI Hydroponics 1325 South Park Lane, Tempe, AZ 85282 800-633-2137 Home Grown Hydroponics 1845 East Broadway Tempe, AZ 85282 480-377-9096 Sea of Green Hydroponics 1301 E. University Dr., Tempe, AZ, 85281 800-266-4136 _________________________

Gonzo Grow 10297 W Van Buren St., Suite 8 Tolleson, AZ 85353 623-780-GROW (4769) _________________________ Sea of Green Hydroponics 402 North 4th Ave., Tucson, AZ 85705 520-622-6344 Sea of Green Tuscon East 7955 E. Broadway Blvd., #151., Tucson, AZ 85710 520-751-7745 _________________________

Tucson Hydroponics & Organics 4235 W. Ina Rd., Ste. 131 Tucson, AZ 85741 520-395-2052 _________________________

ARKANSAS Mickey’s Mercantile 1303 Hwy., 65 South, Clinton, AR 72031 501-412-0214 Old Soul Organics and More 1771 Crossover Rd., Fayetteville, AR 72701 479-444-6955 Growfresh Organics & More 2900 Zero St., Ste 106, Fort Smith, AR 72901 479-648-8885 Fermentables 3915 Crutcher St., N. Little Rock, AR 72118 501-758-6261 Anuway Hydroponics 2711 W. Walnut St., Rogers, Arkansas 72756 479-631-0099

CALIFORNIA Greenleaf Hydroponics 1839 W Lincoln Ave., Anaheim, CA 92801 714-254-0005 Grow It Yourself Gardens 401 Sunset Dr., Suite F, Antioch, CA 94509 925-755-GROW High Desert Hydroponics 13631 Pawnee Rd., #7, Apple Valley, CA 92308 760-247-2090 _________________________

Northcoast Horticulture Supply 639 6th St., Arcata, CA 95521 707-826-9998 _________________________ Sweet Harvest Hydroponics & Organics 1041 E. Grand Ave., Arroyo Grande, CA 93420 805-473-0004 Auburn Organic 4035 Grass Valley Hwy., Auburn, CA 95602 530-823-8900 Quail Mountain Ranch 230 Palm Ave., Auburn, CA 95603 530-889-2390 Tell 2 Friends Indoor Gardening 62 Sutherland Dr., Auburn, CA 95603 530-889-8171 Bakersfield Hydroponics Bakersfield , CA 661-808-4640

San Diego Hydroponics North County Coastal 6352 Corte Del Abeto #J Carlsbad CA, 92011 760-420-8934 _________________________

The Greenhouse Garden Supply 7619 Fair Oak Blvd.

Carmichael, CA 95608 916-515-9130 thegreenhousegardensupply.com _________________________ NorCal Creations PO Box 28, Cedar Ridge, CA 95924 _________________________

The Hydro Shop of Cerritos 15961 S. Piuma Ave. Cerritos CA 90703 562-653-0700 _________________________

Green with Envy 3903 Patton Way #103 Bakersfield, CA 93308 661-245-2616

Garden Connection, The 629 Entler Ave. #32 Chico, CA 95928 530-342-7762

Kern Hydroponics 2408 Brundage Lane, Suite B, Bakersfield, CA 93304 661-323-7333

Hydro King 2540 South Whitman Place, Chico, CA 959282 530-893-GROW (4769)

Super Starts PO Box 732, Bellmont, CA 94002 650-346-8009

Grow4Less Garden Supply & Hydroponics 320 Trousdale Dr., Suite L Chula Visa, CA 91910 619-425-GROW

Berkeley Indoor Garden 844 University Ave., Berkeley, CA 94710 510-549-2918 Berkeley’s Secret Garden 921 University Ave., Berkeley, CA 94710 510-486-0117 The Hydroponic Connection Berkeley 2816 San Pablo Ave. Berkeley CA 94702 510-704-9376 Brentwood Hydroponics & Organics 560 Valdry Ct #85, Brentwood, CA 94513 925-634-6704 Good To Grow & Global Garden Supply 1350 Rollins Rd., Burlingame, CA, 94010 650-733-4420

Mothers Earth 871 Harold Place. #108 Chula Vista CA 91914 619-240-3235 _________________________

San Diego Hydroponics North 645 Marsat Court #101 Chula Vista, CA 91911 619-737-9272 _________________________ Citrus Heights Hydrogarden 8043 Greenback Lane Citrus Heights, CA 95610 916-728-4769 Green Thumb H ydroponics 6412 Tupelo Drive Citrus Heights CA 95621 916-721-6969

Advanced Garden Supply 3113 Alhambra Dr., Unit F, Cameron Park, CA 95682 530-676-2100

Conrad Hydroponics Inc. 14915 Unit E, Olympic Dr., Clearlake, CA 95422 707-994 3264

Sky High Garden Supply 3081 Alhambra Dr. Suite 105 Cameron Park, CA 95682 530-676-4009

Under The S un 13361 East Highway 20 Clearlake Oaks, CA USA 95423 707-998-GROW

Precision Hydroponics 132 Kennedy Ave., Campbell, CA 95008 408-866-8176 Elite Horticulture Supply 22330 Sherman Way, C13, Canoga Park, CA 91303 818-347-5172

A Fertile World 5565 W End Rd Arcata, CA 95521 707-825-0255 _________________________

Myron L Company 2450 Impala Dr., Carlsband, CA 9210-7226 760-438-2021; 661-299-1603 _________________________

Hydro International 7935 Alabama Ave., Canoga Park, CA 91304 Advanced Hydroponics 17808 Sierra Hwy., Canyon Country, CA 91351

G & G Organics and Hydroponics 901 W. Victoria Street Unit D, Compton, CA 90220 310-632-0122 Concord Indoor Garden 2771 Clayton Rd., Concord, CA 94519 925-671-2520 Hydroponics Plus 2250 Commerce Ave., Suite C Concord, CA 94520 925-691-7615

123 Grow 2175 Sampson Ave. #123, Corona, CA 92879 951-280-9232 Hydrostar Hydroponics & Organics 1307 W. Sixth St., #211, Corona, CA 92882 951-479-8069 The Hydro Spot 21785 Temescal Cyn Rd., Corona, CA 92883 A+ Hydroponics & Organics 1604 Babcock St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627 949-642-7776 The Hydro Source 671 E. Edna Place Covina, CA 91723 877 HYDRO 82; 626-915-3128 Let it Grow 1228 2nd St., Crescent City, CA 95531 707-464-9086 Pacific Coast Hydroponics 4147 Sepulveda Boulevard, Culver City, CA 90230 310-313-1354 Dr. Greenthumbs Hydroponic Garden Supplies 566 San Ramon Valley Blvd., Danville, CA 94526 925-314-9376 Constantly Growing - Davis 123 D St., Davis, CA 95616 530-756-4774 Central Valley Gardening 9884 Stephens St. Delhi CA 95315 209-668-2178 Constantly Growing 6200 Enterprise Dr., Suite A Diamond Springs, CA 95619 530-642-9710 Appleseed Hydroponics 6650 Merchandise Way Suite B, Diamond Springs, CA 95619 530-622-5190 Victory Garden Supply 1900 N Lincoln St., #100 Dixon, CA 95620 707-678-5800 Watch it Grow Hydro 9453 Firestone Blvd Downey, CA USA 562-861-1928 Grow A Lot Hydroponics, San Diego 1591 N. Cuyamaca St., El Cajon, CA 93612 619-749-6777 Indoor Garden Solution Inc. 12424 Exline St., El Monte, CA 91732, 626-453-0443 Go Green Hydroponics 15721 Ventura Boulevard, Encino, CA 91436 818-990-1198 _________________________

A Fertile World (Eureka) 6th Street, Eureka, CA 95501 707-444-0200 _________________________ Bayside Garden Supply 4061 Highway 101 Ste 6 Eureka, CA 95503 707-826-7435 ________________________

Humboldt Hydroponics 1302 Union St., Eureka, CA 95501 707-443-4304 _________________________

Maximum Yield Usa | June 2013

171

MAXiMuM YiELD distributors _________________________

_________________________

Northcoast Horticulture Supply 60 West 4th St., Eureka, CA 95501 707-444-9999 _________________________

Roots Grow Supply 1330 North Hulbert, #101 Fresno, CA 93728 559-840-0122 _________________________

Happy Green Lawn Care 3890 Walnut Drive Eureka, CA USA 95534 707-497-6186

North Side Garden Supply 4529 N.Marty Suite #102 Fresno CA 93722 559-495-1140

Constantly Growing 4301 Hazel Ave., Fair Oaks, CA 95628 916-962-0043

Full Scale Soil & Hydro 2501 Business Park. Suite A Fresno CA 93727 559 292 ROOT

Fallbrook Hydro 208 E Mission Rd., Ste B Fallbrook, CA 92028 760-728-4769 Tulare County Growers Supply 435 W. Noble Ave., Unit A, Farmersville, CA 93223 559-732-8247 Santa Cruz Hydroponics & Organics - North 6241 Graham Hill Rd., Felton, CA 95018 831-335-9000 _________________________

Eel River Hydroponics & Soil Supply 164 Dinsmore Dr., Fortuna, CA 95540 707-726-0395 _________________________ The Shop 8635 Mirabel Rd. Forestville, CA 95436 866-223-0198; 707-887-2280 Dirt Cheap Hydroponics 17975 H Hwy. 1, Fort Bragg, CA 95437 707-964-4211 Headlands Garden Supply 630 North Franklin street Fort Bragg, CA 95437 707-964-4447

Valley Hydroponics 207 E. Sierra Ave. Fresno, CA 93710 559-449-0426 Grow Wurks Hydroponics 765 S. State College Boulevard. Suite J Fullerton, CA 92831 714-253-Grow (4769) SB Hydro 1109 W. 190th Street, Unit #F, Gardena, CA 90248 310-538-5788 Golden Gecko Garden Center 4665 Marshall Rd., Garden Valley, CA 95633 530-333-2394 Probiotic Solutions 20889 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville, CA 95441 707-354-4342 South Valley H ydroponics 320 Kishimura Dr., #3 Gilroy, CA 95020 866-848-GROW _________________________

Northcoast Horticulture Supply 357 Main St., Fortuna, CA 95540 707-725-5550 _________________________ Nature’s Secret Garden and Supply 41451 Albrae St. Fremont CA 94577 510-623-8393 _________________________

West Coast Growers Hydroponics 13481 Colifax Hwy., Grass Valley, CA 95945 888-924-4769 Joy’s Green Garden Supply 340-A Elm Ave, Greenfield, CA 93927 831-674-1416 Growers Choice Hydroponics 42089 Watkins St. Hayward CA 94544 510-278-6200 M.G.S. 22540 D Foothill Boulevard, Hayward, CA 94541; 510-582-0900 American Ave Hydroponics 1208 W. Winton Ave., Hayward CA 94545 510-785-4376 Thrive Hydroponics 30-A Mill Street Healdsburg CA USA 95448 707-433-4068 Bear Valley H ydroponics & Homebrewing 17455 Bear Valley Rd., Hesperia CA 92345 760-949-3400 Emerald Garden 13325 South Hwy. 101, Hopland, CA 95482 707-744-8300 Surf City Hydroponics 7391 Warner Ave. Ste B Huntington Beach, CA 92647 714-847-7900 Hydroluv Hydroponics 16582 Gothard St Huntington Beach CA 92647 714-916-0428 Dutch Garden Supplies Park Circle Suite 12 Irvine CA 92614 949-748-8777 West Coast Hydroponics, Inc. 27665 Forbes Road, Unit 10 Laguna Niguel, CA 92677 949-348-2424

Zen Hydroponics 1801 Victory Blvd.

Glendale, CA 91201 877 ZEN Grow; 818-806-4500 _________________________

Hydrogarden Mendocino County 1240 North Main St., Fort Bragg, CA 95437 707-962-9252 _________________________

A Fertile World (Fortuna) 610 7th St., Fortuna, CA 95540 707-725-0700 _________________________

Retail Stores listed alphabetically by city in each state.

Grass Valley H ydrogarden 12506 Loma Rica Drive Grass Valley, CA 95945 530-477-2996 grassvalleyhydrogarden.com _________________________ Dirt Cheap Hydroponic 151 N 7th St. #4 Grover Beach CA 93433 805-473-3478 All Seasons Hydroponics 17614 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills, CA 91344 818-368-4388 _________________________

AG Natural 403 Idaho Maryland Rd., Grass Valley, CA 95945 530-274 0990 _________________________

Hydro Life Hydroponics 18109 E Valley Blvd La Puente CA 91744 626-581-8800 La Habra Hydroponics 1301 S Beach Blvd., Suite O. La Habra, CA 90631 562-947-8383 _________________________

Grass Roots Hydroponics 31875 Corydon, Suite 130 Lake Elsinore, CA 92530 951-245-2390 _________________________

172

Total Hydroponics Center Inc 4820 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712 562-984-GROW (4769) _________________________

Hydro Bros.

1471 B.Street Suite F Livingston CA 95334 209-394-7319 _________________________

South County Hydroponics 22511 Aspan St., Suite A Lake Forest, CA 92630 949-837-8252 _________________________ Clover Hydroponics & Garden Supply 43 Soda Bay Rd., Lakeport, CA 95453 707-263-4000 _________________________

Maximum Yield Usa | June 2013

San Diego Hydroponics East County 11649 Riverside Dr., Suite 141, Lakeside, CA 92040 619-562-3276 _________________________

Green Coast Hydroponics 16705 Roscoe Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 91406 818-672-8880 _________________________

Green Coast Hydroponics 3865 Grand View Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90066 310-398-0700 _________________________ Green Door Hydro and Solar 830 Traction Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90013 212-625-1323 Hardman Hydroponics 3511 Youree Dr., Shreveport Los Angeles 71105 318-865-0317

Weather Top N ursery 44901 Harmon Dr., Laytonville, CA 95454 707-984-6385

Hollywood Hydroponics & Organics 5109 1/2 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90027-6105 323-662-1908

Livermore Hydroponics 22 Rickenbacker Crl. S Livermore CA 94551 925-454-9376

Hydroasis 2643 S. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90232 888-355-4769 LAX Hydro

DL Wholesale 6764 Preston Ave. Suite D Livermore CA 94551 510-550-0018 _________________________

National Garden Wholesale/ Sunlight Supply 6485 Brisa Street, Livermore, CA 94550 888-570-4678 (Southern CA) _________________________ VIP Garden Supply 203 Commerce Street, Suite 101 Lodi, CA 95240 209-339-9950 Valley Rock Landscape Supply 2222 N H Street; Lompoc CA 93436 805-736-0841; 805-735-5921 562 Hydro Shop 717 East Artesia Blvd.

Long Beach Ca,90805 562-726-1101 _________________________

Grow Light Express 5318 East Second St. Suite 164, Long Beach, CA 90803 888-318-GROW _________________________

Long Beach Hydroponics & Organics

1772 Clark Ave.,

Vital Landscaping Inc. 12817 Loma Rica Dr., Grass Valley, CA 95945 530-273-3187 _________________________

_________________________

Big Daddy Garden Supply 42400 Hwy 101 Laytonville CA 95454 707-984-7181

Green Coast Hydroponics 2405 Mira Mar Ave., Long Beach, CA 90815 562-627-5636 _________________________

Gro More Garden Supply & Hydroponics Gro More Garden Supply & Hydroponics 2686 Clovis Ave., Ste.109 Fresno, CA 93727 559-348-1055 _________________________

_________________________

Long Beach, CA 90815 562-498-9525 _________________________ Atwater Hydroponics 3350 Glendale Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90039 323-663-8881

10912 S. La Cienaga Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90304 310-337-6995 Nirvana Hydroponics 340 South San Pedro Los Angeles, CA 90013 310-795-2914 _________________________

Sunland Hydroponics 4136 Eagle Rock Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90065 323-254-2800 _________________________

Superior Hydroponic Supply 5651 Hollywood Blvd., 90028 Los Angeles,CA 323-465-grow (4769) _________________________ Green Giant Hydroponics 7183 Hwy. 49 Unit B Lotus, CA 95651 530-622-4465 Big Momma’s 11455 Clayton Creek Rd., Lower Lake, CA 95457 707-994-1788 California Green Hydroponics 16491 Rd., 26, Suite 101 Madera, California 93638 559-674-1400 Grow 22333 Pacific Coast Hwy., Ste. 101 Malibu, CA 90265; 310-456-2910 Deep Roots Garden Center & Flower Shop 207 N. Sepulveda Blvd.

Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 310-376-0567 B & S Gardening Supplies 592 Commerce Court, Manteca, CA 95336 209-239-8648 Monterey Bay Horticulture Supply 218 Reindollar Ave., Suite 7A, Marina, CA 93933 831-38-HYDRO

Two Chix Garden Supply 1230 Yuba St., Marysville, CA 95901 530-923-2536 _________________________

Northcoast Horticulture Supply 1580 Nursery Way McKinleyville, CA 95519 707-839-9998 _________________________ Mendocino Garden Shop 44720 Maint St. (at Hwy. 1), Mendocino, CA 95460 707-937-3459 Hooked Up Hydroponics 1004 W. 15th St. Suite B & C, Merced, Ca 95340 209-723-1300 Indoor/Outdoor Garden Supply 1501 W. Main St., Merced, CA 95340 209-580-4425 The Urban Farmer Store 653 E. Blithedale Ave., Mill Valley, CA 94941 415-380-3840 Hydroponics Inc. 3811 Wacker Dr. Mira Loma CA 91752 951-685-4769 Mission Viejo H ydroponics 24002 Via Fabricante Suite 502 Mission Viejo, CA 92691 949-380-1894 Central Valley Ga rdening 509 Winmoore Way Ste T Modesto CA 95358 209-537-GROW Coca’s Central Valley Hydroponics 116 West Orangeburg Ave., Modesto, CA 95350 209-567-0590 _________________________

Hydro Bros.

521 Winmoore Way Suite A Modesto CA 95358 209-537-8220 _________________________ Growers Choice Hydroponics 1100 Carver Rd. #20 Modesto CA 95350 209-522-2727 Year Round Garden Supply 11000 Carver Rd. #20 Modesto, CA 95350 209-522-2727 _________________________

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Endless Green Hydroponics 25 Enterprise Court, Suite 3 Napa, CA 94558 707-254-0200 _________________________ Wyatt Supply 4407 Solano Ave., Napa, CA 94558 707-251-3747 _________________________

Conejo Hydroponics 3481 Old Conejo Rd., #106 Newbury Park, CA 91320 805-480-9596 _________________________ Big Momma’s 2581 Stokes Ave., Nice, CA 95464 707-274-8369 Foothill Hydroponics 10705 Burbank Boulevard, N. Hollywood, CA 91601 818-760-0688 One Stop Hydroponics 12822 Victory Boulevard North Hollywood, CA 91606 818-980-5855 Lumatek Digital Ballasts 33 Commercial Boulevard, Suite B Novato, CA 94949 415-233-4273 Marin Hydroponics 721 Francisco Blvd East San Rafael CA 94901 415-482-8802 Marin Hydroponics 1219 Grant Ave., Novato, CA 94945 415-897-2197 Roots Grow Supply 40091 Enterprise Dr. Oakhurst CA 93644 559-683-6622 3rd Street Hydroponics 692 4th Street Oakland, CA 94607 510-452-5521 Medicine Man Farms 1602 53rd Ave., Oakland, CA 94601 707-980-0456 Plant-N-Grow 1602 53rd Ave., Oakland, CA 94601 707-980-0456 Hydrobrew 1319 South Coast Hwy., Oceanside, CA 92054 760-966-1885; 877-966-GROW

Green Light Hydroponics 2615 Honolula Ave. Montrose, CA 91020 818-640-2623 _________________________ 247 Garden 1101 Monterey Pass Rd. Unit B Monterey Park CA 91754 323-318-2600 South Bay Hydroponics and Organics - Mtn. View 569 East Evelyn Ave., Mountain View, CA 94041 650-968-4070 Murphys Hydroponics & Organics 785 Murphys Creek Road Suite C2 Murphys, CA 95247 209-728-8058 Redwood Garden Supply 55 Myers Ave., Myers Flat, CA 95554 707-943-1515

Socal Hydroponics 1727-B Oceanside Boulevard, Oceanside, CA 92054 760-439-1084 Cultivate Ontario 2000 Grove Ave. #a110 Ontario, CA 91761 909-781-6142

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National Garden Wholesale/ Sunlight Supply 1950 C South Grove Ave., Ontario, CA 91761 888-888-3319 _________________________

Hydroponics Unlimited 641 W. Palmdale Blvd. “D” Palmdale, CA 93550 661-266-3906 _________________________

Palm Tree H ydroponics 2235 E 4th St, Suite G Ontario, CA 91764 909-941-9017 _________________________

RH Distribution 1751 S. Pointe Ave., Ontario, CA 91761 888-545-8112 _________________________

Green Coast Hydroponics 496 Meats Ave., Orange, CA 92865 714-974-4769 _________________________ Greenback Garden Supply 9341 Greenback Ln., Ste C Orangevale, CA 95662 530-391-4329 _________________________

Advanced Soil & Garden Supply 350 Oro DamBoulevard, Oroville, CA 95965 530-533-2747 _________________________ Igro Hydro 2280 Veatch St., Oroville, CA 95965 530-534-4476 Orville Organic Gardens 5250 Olive Hwy Ste 1 Oroville, CA 95966 530-589-9950 Amazon Garden Supply 29 Ridge View Lane Oroville CA 95966 530-589-5054 Amazon Greenlight 521 Cal Oak Rd. Oroville CA 95966 530-534-4769 Amazon Growing Needs 5369 Old Olive Hwy. Oroville CA 95966 530-589-9850 US Orchid & Hydroponic Supplies 1621 South Rose Ave.,, Oxnard, CA 93033 805-247-0086 Pacifica Hydroponics 90 Eureka Square Pacifica, CA 94044 650-355-5100 _________________________

Flairform 1751 S Pointe Ave., Ontario, CA 91761 213-596-8820 _________________________

Green Coast Ontario Unit 102-103 1920 S. Rochester Ave., Ontario, CA 909-605-5777 _________________________

All Elements Hydroponics & Gardening Supply 5623 Motherlode Drive Placerville, CA 95667 530-642-4215 IGS Hydroponics & Organics 57 California Ave. Suite 1 Pleasonton CA 94566 925-426-GROW Best Yield Garden Supply 3503 West Temple Ave., Unit A, Pomona, CA 91768 909-839-0505

DNA Hydroponics Inc 19345 North Indian Canyon Dr., North Palm Springs, Suite 2-F CA 92258 760-671-5872 _________________________

Green Bros Hydroponics 14072 Osborne St., Panorama City, CA 91402 818-891-0200 _________________________ Mission Hydroponics 1236 East Mission Pomona, CA 91766 909-620-7099

Mission Hydroponics 1236 East Mission Pomona, CA 91766 909-620-7099 Emerald Garden 8249 Archibald Ave., Ranch Cucamanga, CA 91730 909-466-3796 Radiant Roots Gardening & Hydroponics 1394 S Pacific Coast Hwy., Redondo Beach, CA 90277 310-540-2005 _________________________

The Hydro Shop of Redondo Beach 1304 S. Pacific Coast Hwy Redondo Beach CA 90277 310-540-2005 _________________________

New Leaf Hydro 34150 123rd St., Parablossom, CA 93553 661-944-2226 Alternative Hydro 3870 East, Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91107 888-50-HYDRO 365 Hydroponics 2062 Lincoln Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103 626-345-9015

Shadow Valley Aqua tics 75 Kimick Way, Red Bluff, CA 96080 530-526-0479 Bare Roots Hydroponics 1615 East Cypress, #5 Redding, CA 96002 530-244-2215 Dazey’s Supply 3082 Redwood Dr., Redway, CA 95560 707-923-3002

Garden All Year Inc. 3850 Ramada Dr.,Unit D2 Paso Robles, CA 93446 805-434-2333 Supersonic Hydroponic & Organic Garden Supply 3850 Ramada Dr., Unit D2 Paso Robles, CA 93446 805-434-2333 Foothills Hydrogarden 3133 Penryn Rd., Penryn, CA 95663 916-270-2413 _________________________

Humboldt Hydroponics 2010 Tunnel Rd., Redway, CA 95560 707-923-1402 Redway Feed Garden & Pet Supply 290 Briceland Rd., Redway, CA 95560 707-923-2765 Sylvandale Gardens 1151 Evergreen Rd., Redway, CA 95560 707-923-3606 Hydro King 105 Hartnell Ave., Suite C and D, Redding, CA 96002 888-822-8941

Funny Farms Hydroponics 963 Transport Way, #12 Petaluma, CA 94954 707-775-3111 _________________________

Orsa Organix 111 Willow St., Redwood City, CA 94063 650-369-1269 _________________________

House of Hydro 224 Weller St., #B, Petaluma, CA 94952 707-762-4769 Wyatt Supply 1016 Lakeville St., Petaluma, CA 94952 707-762-3747 Deep Roots Hydroponics 830 Perry Lane Petaluma CA 94954-5320 707-776-2800

America’s Best Hydroponics & Gardening Center 641 W. Palmdale Blvd. Unit D Palmdale, CA 93551 661-266-3906 _________________________

Hillside Hydro & Garden 4570 Pleasant Valley Rd., Placerville CA 95662 530-644-1401

JNJ Hydroponics 4774 Phelan Rd. Suite 2 Phelan, CA 92371 760-868-0002 Turbo Grow 1889 San Pablo Ave., Pinole, CA 94564 510-724-1291

Mendocino Greenhouse & Garden Supply 960 East School Way, Redwood Valley, CA 95470 707-485-0668 _________________________ EZ Green Hydroponics 7017 Reseda Boulevard, Reseda, CA 91335 818-776-9076 Hydro Hills Hydroponics 19320 Vanowen St., Reseda, CA 91335

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MAXiMuM YiELD distributors Hi-Tech Gardening 5327 Jacuzzi St., #282, Richmond, CA 94804 510-524-4710 The Urban Farmer Store 2121 San Joaquin St., Richmond, CA 94804 510-524-1604 _________________________

Discount Hydroponics 4745 Hiers Ave., Riverside, CA 92505 877-476-9487 _________________________ All Ways Hydro 2220 Eastridge Ave. Suite C Riverside CA 92507.

888-HYDRO98 Calwest Hydroponics 11620 Sterling Ave., Suite A Riverside, CA 92503 800-301-9009 Hydro Depot 5665 Redwood Dr., #B, Rohnert Park, CA 94928 707-584-2384 Murphy’s Hydropincs & Organics 799 w. Stocktan St, Sanora, CA 95370 209-532-2022 Constantly Growing 1918 16th Street Sacramento CA USA 95811 916-448-1882 Green Acres Hydroponics 1215 Striker Ave., Suite 180, Sacramento, CA 95834 916-419-4394 Greenfire Sacramento 3230 Auburn Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95821 916-485-8023 Green Thumb H ydroponics 1537 Fulton Ave. Sacramento CA 95825 916-934-2476 Green Thumb H ydroponics 35 Quinta Court, Suite B, Sacramento, CA 95823 916-689-6464 _________________________

KY Wholesale 8671 Elder Creek Rd. #600 Sacramento, CA 95828 916 383 3366 _________________________ J Street HydroGarden 2321 J street Sacramento CA 95816 916-444-4473 Mystic Gardens 8484 Florin Rd., #110, Sacramento, CA 95828 916-381-2464 Sac Hydroponics 9529 Folson Boulevard, Suite C Sacramento, CA 95827 916-369-7968 Skywide Import & Export Ltd. 5900 Lemon Hill Ave., Sacramento, CA 95824 916-383-2369 Tradewinds Wholesale Garden Supplies 1235 Striker Ave. #180, Sacramento, CA 95834 888-557-8896 Green J oint Ventures 61 Tarp Circle, Salinas, CA 93901 831-998-8628

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Retail Stores listed alphabetically by city in each state.

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Reforestation Technologies International 1341 Daton St., Unit G Salinas, CA 93901 800-784-4769 _________________________

San Diego Hydroponics Beach Cities 4122 Napier St., San Diego, CA 92110 619-276-0657 _________________________ Direct Hydroponics Wholesale 1034 W. Arrow Hwy. #D San Dimas, CA 91773 888-924-9376

Xtreme Gardening 1341 Dayton St. Annex B Salinas CA 93901 800-784-4769 _________________________

National Garden Wholesale / Sunlight Supply 1900 Bendixsen St. , Bldg. 1, Samoa, CA 95564 800-683-1114 (Northern CA) _________________________ Greenmile Hydroponic Garden Supply 1480 South E. Street, Suite D, San Bernardino, CA 92408 909-885-5919 Pure Food Gardening/Microclone 830 H Bransten Rd. San Carlos,CA 94070-3338

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House of Hydroponics 732 W. Arrow Hwy. San Dimas CA 91773 877-592-5111; 909-592-5111 _________________________ Liquid Gardens 1034 West Arrow Hwy. #D San Dimas, CA 91773 888-924-9376 Hydro Depot 2090 Cesar Chavez Street San Francisco, CA 94124 415-282-5200 Plant It Earth Warehouse 1 Dorman Ave., San Francisco, CA 94124 415-970-2465 _________________________

Green Gopher Garden Supply 679 Redwood Ave., Suite A, Sand City, CA 93955 831-899-0203 Modern Gardens 26620 Valley Center Dr Unit #104 Santa Clarita CA 91351 661-513-4733 Best Coast Growers 4417 Glacier Ave. Suite C, San Diego, CA 92120 800-827-1876 City Farmer’s Nursery 4832 Home Ave., San Diego, CA 92105 619-284-6358 Home Brews & Gardens 3176 Thorn St., San Diego, CA 92104 619-630-2739 Indoor Garden Depot 1848 Commercial St. San Diego CA 92113 619-255-3552 Innovative Growing Solutions (IGS) 5060 Santa Fe St. Ste.D San Diego, CA 92109 858-578-4477 _________________________

Mighty Garden Supply 4780 Mission Gorge Pl. #A-1, San Diego, CA 92120 619-287-3238 _________________________ Miramar Hydroponics & Organics 8952 Empire St., San Diego CA 92126 858-549-8649 _________________________

Oracle Garden Supply 5755 Oberlin Dr., Suite 100 San Diego, CA 92121 858-558-6006 _________________________

Maximum Yield Usa | June 2013

Hahn’s Lighting 260 E. VA Suite 1, San Jose, CA 95112 408-295-1755 Rasa Hydroponics 5725 Winfield Blvd. Suite 8 San Jose, CA 95123 408-227-7272 Urban Gardens 1999 Monterey Rd. San Jose CA 95125 408-298-8081 Plant Life 32 Race St., San Jose, CA 95126 408-283-9191 Hydrofarm, Inc. 2249 South McDowell Extension Petaluma, CA 94954 800-634-9990

The Hydroponic Connection Warehouse, 1995 Evans Ave., San Francisco, CA 94124 415-824-9376 The Hydroponic Connection San Francisco 1549 Custer Ave. San Francisco CA 94124 415-864-9376 Nor Cal Hydroponics 4837 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, CA 94118 415-933-8262 _________________________

Urban Gardens.

704 Filbert St., San Francisco, CA 94133 415-421-4769 _________________________ San Francisco Hydro 123 Tenth St., San Francisco, CA 94103 Urban Gardens 1394 Lowrie St. San Francisco CA 94080 650-588-5792 The Urban Farmer Store 2833 Vicente St., San Francisco, CA 94116 415-661-2204 US Garden 417 Agostinio Rd., San Gabriel, CA 91776 626 285-5009 Inland Empire Hydrogarden 1301-C South State St., San Jancinto, CA 92853

Urban Grow Systems 204 N Quarantina St., Santa Barbara, CA 93103 805-637-6699 _________________________

Santa Clarita Valley Hydroponics 25835 Railroad Ave. #26 Santa Clarita CA 91350 661 255 3700; 661 255 3701 _________________________

Hydrofarm Southwest 12991 Leffingwell Road Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670 800-634-9990

California Hydroponics 310 Coral St., Suite C Santa Cruz, CA 95060 831-423-4769

South Bay Hydroponics and Organics - San Jose 1185 South Bascom Ave., San Jose, CA 95128 408-292-4040

Hydro-Logic Purification Systems 370 Encinal St., Suite 150, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 888-H2O-LOGIC

Beach Cities Hydroponics 33155 Camino Capistrano Unit F. San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 949-493-4200 D&S Garden Supplies 17-130 Doolittle Dr., San Leandro, CA 94577 510-430-8589 Hydrogarden Delight 13762 Doolittle Dr., San Leandro, CA 94577 510-903-1808

Grow Your Own Hydroponics & Organics - West 3401 Taraval Street San Francisco, CA 94116 415-731-2115 _________________________

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Central Coast Hydrogarden 1951 Santa Barbara St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 805-544-GROW Healthy Harvest Hydroponics and Organics 2958 S. Higuera St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 805-596-0430 _________________________

San Diego Hydroponics North County Inland 802 N. Twin Oaks Valley Road #108 San Marcos, CA 92069 760-510-1444 _________________________ Marin Hydroponics 721 Francisco Blvd East San Rafael, CA 94901 415-482-8802 San Rafael Hydroponics 1417 Fourth St. San Rafael, CA 94901 415-455-9655 _________________________

Green Coast Hydroponics 135 Nogal Drive.

Santa Barbara, CA 93110 805-898-9922 _________________________

Santa Cruz Hydroponics & Organics - West Side 815 Almar Ave., Unit K, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 831-466-9000 _________________________

Glow Hydroponics 124-H Blossom Hill Rd San Jose, CA 95123 408-455-7720 _________________________ Big Daddy Garden Supply 3236 Dutton Ave. Santa Rosa CA 95407 707-535-0996 Deep Roots Hydroponics 3715 Santa Rosa Ave. Suite A2 Santa Rosa, CA 95407 707-540-0773 Gottagrow Garden Supply 769 Wilson St., Santa Rosa, CA 95404 707-544-7782 _________________________

Green Logic Garden Supply 860 Piner Road, #38, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 707-843-3156 _________________________ Hydro Depot 13 West 3rd Street Santa Rosa, CA 95401 707-542-3866 Organic Bountea 1919 Dennis Lane, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 800-798-0765 Sonoma Hydro LLC 3535 Industrial Dr. Ste. B2-3 Santa Rosa CA 95403 707-544-3383

Nutes Int’l 204 N Quarantina St., Santa Barbara, CA 93103 805-687-6699

Wyatt Supply 747 Yolanda Ave. Santa Rosa, CA 95404 707-578-3747

Planet Earth Hydroponics 102 East Haley St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101 805-899-0033

Next Generation Hydroponics 10658 Prospect Ave., Ste.A Santee, CA 92071 619-438 2415

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Santa Rosa Hydroponics 4880 Sonoma Hwy Santa Rosa, CA 707-595-1340 Santa Rosa Hydroponics 4130 S Moorland Ave Santa Rosa, CA 707-584-9370 _________________________ Santee Hydroponics 7949 Mission Gorge Rd., Santee, CA 92071 619-270-8649 Gardening Unlimited 60 Old El Pueblo Rd., Scotts Valley, CA 95066 831-457-1236 Deep Roots Hydroponics 2661 Gravenstein Hwy S #E Sebastopol CA 95472-8200 707-829-7668 Hydro Depot 6731 Sebastopol Ave. Sebastopol, CA 95472 707-829-1510

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HomeGrown Indoor Garden Supply 681 A Grider Way, Stockton, CA 95210 209-477-4447 ________________________ Golden Harvest Hydroponics & Garden Supply 8626 Lower Sacramento Road #48, Stockton, CA 95210 209-951-3550 M&M Garden Supply 2509 West Lane, Suite B Stockton, CA 95205 209-939-0664 Pacific Ave Indoor Garden Supply 4633 Pacific Ave Stockton, CA 95207 209-955-0945 Hydroponics Depot 8712 Sunland Blvd Sun Valley, CA 91352 818-771-0600 ________________________

Beyond Hydro Inc. 12639 San Fernando Rd Sylmar CA 91342 818-362-5373 loom Brothers Garden Supply, Inc. 3293 Industry Dr. Signal Hill, CA 90755 562-494-0060 ________________________

Sunland Hydroponics 8300 Foothill Boulevard, Sunland, CA 91040 818-352-5300 ________________________

Garden Depot Hydroponics 1460 Freitas Park Turlock, CA 95380 209-250-0101

Specialty Garden Supply 7 Hangar Way Ste B Watsonville Ca 95075 831-768-0420

Hooked Up Hydroponics 339 S. Golden State Boulevard, Turlock, CA 95380 209-668-1300

Evergreen Farm Feed and Garden 1131 Main Street Weaverville, CA 96093 530-623-2884

Big Daddy Garden Supply 310 Mason St. Ukiah CA 95482 707-467-9234

Art of Hydro 5740 Corsa Ave. #102 Westlake Village, CA 91362 818-865-2227

Emerald Garden 307 East Perkins Street, Ukiah, CA 95482 707-463-2510 ________________________

California Hydro Garden 1043 S. Glendora Avenue, Suite A West Covina, CA 91790 626-813-0868

HydroPacific - Hydroponics & Garden Supplies 351 C Hastings Av., Ukiah, CA 95482 707-467-0400 ________________________ Northcoast Hydrogardens 3450 North State Street, Ukiah, CA 95482 707-462-7214 Wyatt Supply 2200 N. State St. Ukiah, CA 95482 707-462-7473 TNC Supply 9490 Main Street, P.O. Box 763 Upper Lake, CA 95485 707-275-9565 ________________________

South Bay Hydroponics & Organics - Sunnyvale 1205 W. El Camino Real, Sunnyvale, CA 94087 650 968 4070 We Grow Hydroponics 3350 East Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley, CA 93063 805-624-4566 ________________________

Advanced Garden Supply 2660 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, Building C, Unit 9, S. Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 530-541-4769 ________________________ Farm H ydroponics, The 1950 Lake Tahoe Boulevard #3, S. Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 530-541-3276 Valley Hydro and Organics 19230 Sonoma Hwy. Sonoma, CA 95476 707-396-8734 Motherlode Hydroponics and Organics 799 W Stockton St. Sonora, CA 95370 209-532-2022 Santa Cruz Hydroponics & Organics - East Side 4000 Cordelia Lane Soquel, CA 95073 831-475-9900 East County Hydroponics 9903 Campo Rd. Spring Valley, CA 91977 619-825-5097 ________________________

Orange County Hydroponics 12797 Beach Boulevard, Stanton, CA 90680 714-893-9493 ________________________

Tahoe Garden Supply 645 Westlake Boulevard, Suite 2, Tahoe City, CA 96145 530-581-3200 The Otherside Hydroponics 19425 Ventura Blvd Tarzana CA 91356 818-881-HYDRO (4937) ________________________

Hydroponics 4 Less 41669 Winchester Avenue, Temecula, CA 92590 800-A1-HYDRO Inland Empire Hydrogarden 28822 Old Town Front St. #206 Temecula, CA 92590 886-74-HYDRO 805 Hydroponics & Organics 1785 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 805-494-1785

North Bay Hydroponics 1650 Lewis Brown Dr. Vallejo, CA 94589 707-647-0774 ________________________

Hydroponics Market 15816 Arminta St Van Nuys, CA 91406 818-305-6261; 886-72-HYDRO Kinney Nursery 4115 Rowles Road.

Vina, CA 96092 530-839-2196 ________________________

BWGS-CA 7530 W. Sunnyview Avenue Visalia, CA 93291 888-316-1306 ________________________

Green Thumb Lighting & Garden 1647 W. Sepulveda Boulevard, Unit 5, Torrance, CA 90501 888-326-GROW

The Green Shop 66420 Mooney Blvd, Suite 1 Visalia, CA 93277 559-688-4200

Los Angeles Hydroponics & Organics 3007-3009 W. Artesia Blvd.

Torrance, CA 90504 310-323-4937

Kaweah Grower Supply 1106 1/2 N. Ben Maddox Way, Visalia, CA 93293 559-625-4937

Growers Choice Hydroponics 470 W. Larch Road #1 Tracy CA 95304 209-833-1212 Anything Grows 10607 W. River Street, Bldg. 3 Suite C, Truckee, CA 96161 530-582-0479

Hydronation 2491 Boatman Drive, Suite B West Sacramento, CA 95691 916-372-4444 Flower Hut Nursery 603 4th Street Wheatland, CA 95692 530-633-4526 GreenWay Hydroponics 11510 Whittier Boulevard, Whittier, CA 90601 Lazy Gardeners Hydroponics ‘N’ More 14626 East Whittier Boulevard, Whittier, CA 90605 562-945-0909 Garden S pout, The 260 Margie Dr Willits, CA 95490 707-456-0196 Jolly Rancher 399 Business Park Ctr. Suite 205 Windsor CA 95492 707-838-0842

Green Coast 16705 Roscoe Blvd Van Nuys, CA 91406 818-672-8880 ________________________ Grass Roots Hydroponics 27250 Madison Ave. Suite C Temecula, CA 92590 951-296-1090 ________________________

No Stress Hydroponics 7543 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90046 323-845-9874

Greentrees Hydroponics Inc. 2581 Pioneer Avenue, Unit D Vista, CA 92081 760-598-7551 Home Life Hydroponics and Organics 1745 East Vista Way, Vista, CA 92084 760-643-2150

Green Acres 20946 Victory Blvd., Woodland Hills, CA91367 Sparetime Supply 208 E. San Francisco Avenue, Willits, CA 95490-4006 Farmer Browns Garden Supply 80 Country Club Rd. Willow Creek, CA 95573 530-629-3100 Urban Gardens 22516 Ventura Boulevard, Woodland Hills, CA 91364 818-876-0222 ________________________

Ultra Lo Hydro ultralohydro.com 937-252-8224 _________________________ Garden Highway Garden Supply 598 Garden Highway #22 Yuba City, CA 95991 530-755-2877 Golden Valley Hydroponics 870 W. Onsott Rd. Ste F Yuba City, CA 95993 530-763-2151 Southern Humbolt Garden Supplies 31653 Outer Highway 10 Yacaipa, CA 92373 909-794-6888 Yucca Valley H ydroponics 56825 Twentynine Palms Hwy. Yucca Valley, CA 92284 760-369-0300

COLORADO South Park Hydroponics 42 E Buckskin Rd. Alma CO 80420 719-836-1533 Green Spot Garden Center & Antiques 711 State Avenue Alamosa CO 81101 719-589-6362

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National Garden Wholesale/ Sunlight Supply 3550 B Odessa Way, Aurora, CO 80011 866-877-4188 (Northeast) _________________________

Nick’s Garden Center 2001 S. Chambers, Aurora, CO 80014 303-696-6657 ________________________

The Big Tomato Indoor Garden Supply 14440 E. 6th Ave. Aurora, CO 80011 303-364-4769 ________________________ Aurora Hydroponic LLC 4250 S Chambers Rd. Aurora CO 80014 303-400-6941 The Hydro Store 6695 Wadsworth Blvd. # C Arvada CO 80004 720-328-3746 Rooted Hydroponics & Organics – Vail 910 Nottingham Road Unit N-11 & N-12 Avon, CO 81620 970-748-1222 Boulder Hydroponics 1630 N 63rd St. Unit #5 Boulder CO 80301 313-415-0045 Candy Shop Hydroponics LLC 2740 Canyon Blvd Boulder, CO 80302 303-444-3355 One Love Garden Supply 3620 Walnut street Boulder, CO 80301 303-586-1715 Polar Ray 5171 Eldorado Springs Dr. Boulder, CO 80303 303-494-5773 Rocky Mountain Hydroponics and Organics 2125 32 Street Boulder, CO 80301 303-996-6100 Way To Gr ow 6395 Gunpark Drive, Boulder, CO 80301 303-473-4769 Deep Roots Garden Supply 1790 Airport Road, Unit 1 Breckenridge, CO 80424 970-453-1440 Mile High Hydroponics 37 Strong St. Brighton, CO 80601 303-637-0069 ________________________

ACME Hydroponics 300 Nickel St Suite 3 Broomfield, CO 80020 720-524-7306 ________________________ Hydrofarm Mountain 400 Burbank St Broomfield, CO 80020 800-634-9990 Hydro Galaxy 3314 W Burbank Blvd Burbank CA 91505 800-818-6128

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MAXiMuM YiELD distributors J&D Organic Growing Solutions 217 1/2 Clayton Street Brush, CO 80723 970-310-5408 CT. Home Grown 45 South Canterbury Rd. Canterbury CT 06331 BIG BloomZ 1011 Caprice Drive, Castle Rock, CO 80109 303-688-0599 Indoor Ga rdener. The 3225 I-70 Business Loop Unit A10 Clifton, Colorado 81520 970-434-9999 Indoor Garden Warehouse 8100 S Akron St., Suite 322, Centennial, CO 80112 720-496-2110 Garden Tech 737 Garden of the Gods Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80907 719-278-9777 Grotools 2408 East Platte Ave. Colorado Springs, CO 80909 719-475-7699

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BWGS-CO 11685 E. 55th Avenue Denver, CO 80239 888-316-1306 _________________________ _________________________

Chlorophyll 3801 Mariposa St. Denver CO 80211 303-433-1155 _________________________ Cultivate Hydroponics & Organics 666 S. Buchtel Blvd Denver, CO 80210 303-954-9919 Greenlight Garden Supply 7741 E Colfax Ave Denver CO 80220 720-389-8320 _________________________

Purple Mountain Hydroponics LLC 1530 S Nevada Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80906 719-635-5859 Room To Grow LLC 422 South 8th Street Colorado Springs CO 80905 719-633-8682 Roots and Rocks Hydroponic and Organic Garden Supply 1014 S. 21st Street Colorado Springs, CO 80904 719-634-1024 ________________________

High Tech Garden Supply 5275 Quebec St. Commerce City, CO 80022 720-222-0772 _________________________ The Grofax 25797 Conifer Rd. # A-8 Aspen Park, CO 80433 303-838-5520 Grow Your Own 27051 Barkley Road Conifer, CO 80433 303-816-GROW (4769) Happy Grow Lucky 11873 Springs Rd. Conifer, CO 80433 1-303-838-8700 Whetstone Garden Supply 300 Belleview Ave. Crested Butte CO 81224 970-349-9666 _________________________

Global Organics & Hydroponics 11 N Broadway Cortez, CO 81321 970-564-8100 _________________________ Joy of Growing 1410 Valley View Dr. Delta CO 81416 970-874-2550

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Blue Sky Hydroponics 1301 Florida Road Unit C Durango, CO 81301 970-375-1238 DHL Garden Supply 178 Bodo Dr.Unit B Durango, Co 81303 970-247-1090 _________________________

The Grow Store South 5050 S. Federal Boulevard, #37, Englewood, CO 80110 303-738-0202 _________________________ Rocky Mountain Hydroponics and Organics 439 Edwards Access Rd Unit B101 Edwards, CO 81632 970-926-2100 Bath Nursery & Garden Center 2000 E. Prospect, Fort Collins, CO 80525 970-484-5022 Gold Coast Hydroponics West 8101 S.W. Frontage Road Suite 300 Fort Collins, Colorado 80528 970-232-3220

Greenhouse Tech 917 East Fillmore, Colorado Springs, CO 80907 719-634-0637 Hydro Grow Supply 644 Peterson Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80915 719-596-2600

Retail Stores listed alphabetically by city in each state.

Grow Your Own 2118 S Bellaire St. Denver CO 80222 303-990-1929 _________________________ HyGrow Indoor Gardening Supplies 6271 Beach Street, Unit F Denver, CO 80221 303-396-1420 Indoor Paradise Denver 7100 N Broadway, Ste. 3D, E Denver, CO 80221 303-428-5020

The Grow Shop LLC 1711 S. College Avenue Fort Collins CO 80525 970-484-1042 Indoor Paradise Hydroponics 309 S. Summit View, Unit 17, Fort Collins, CO 80524-1462 970-221-3751 Way To Gr ow 3201 E. Mulberry Street, Fort Collins, CO 80524 970-484-4769 _________________________

NoDo Urban Garden Supply 1330 27th Street Denver, CO 80205 303-296-3424 Rocky Mountain Hydroponics and Organics 1717 39th Ave Denver, CO 80205 800-58-HYDRO The Grofax 7540 East Colfax Ave. Denver, CO 80220 720-328-2127 The Grofax 755 South Federal Blvd Denver, CO 80219 720-328-5164

Hydro S hack, The 753 10 Mile Drive Frisco, CO 80443 970-668-0359 _________________________ Rocky Mountain Hydroponics and Organics 7800 Colorado 82 #203 Glenwood Springs, Colorado 81601 970-947-9551 _________________________

The Grow Outlet 4272 Lowell Boulevard Denver, CO 80211 303-586-5543 Hydro Terra Cor p 3893 Steele St. Denver CO 80205 954-260-3377 Ultimate Hydroponics & Organics 2380 S. Broadway Denver, CO 80210 303-282-0034 Way To Grow 301 East 57th Ave. Denver, CO 80216 303-296-7900 _________________________

Maximum Yield Usa | June 2013

Your Grow Bud 6801 South Emporia St. Suite 106 Greenwood Village, CO 80112 303-790-2211 _________________________ Green Gardens 133 E. Tomichi Ave. Gunnison, CO 81230 970-641-1161 Grow in Peace 1241 Mine Road Idaho Springs CO 80452 303-567-GROW GroWize 3225 S. Wadsworth Boulevard, Lakewood, CO 80227 303-986-2706 Way to Grow 11989 West Colfax Ave Lakewood CO 80215 303-546-3600 _________________________

MileHydro 355 S. Harlan St. Lakewood CO 80226 303-935-4769 _________________________

Desert Bloom Hydroponics 445 Pitkin Avenue, Grand Junction, CO 81501 970-245-6427 _________________________ Green Head Hydroponics 809 E. Jasper Court Granby, CO 80446 970-557-3031

The Grow Shop LLC 1701 Greeley Mall Rd. Greeley CO 80631 970-352-5447 Green Thumb Garden Supply Co. 2830 W 27th St Greeley CO 80634 970-506-1711

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Majestic Hydro-Gardening 860 Hwy 105 Palmer Lake CO 80133 719-481-0777 _________________________ Pueblo Hydroponicss and Organics - Downtown 113 W 4th St, Pueblo CO 81003 719-542-6798 Pueblo Hydroponics and Organics- South 2704 S Prarie Ave Suite C Pueblo CO 81005 719-564-2660 Pueblo Hydroponics and Organics 609 E Enterprise Dr Pueblo West CO 81007 709-647-0907 Salida Hydroponic Supply 1242 C Street Salida, CO 81201 719-539-4000 Little Shop of Growers 2560 Copper Ridge Drive Steamboat Springs, CO 80487 970-879-8577 Cultivate Hydroponics & Organics 7615 W.38th Ave. Suite B111 Wheat Ridge, CO 80033 303-954-9897

The Grow Store 8644 W. Colfax Avenue, Lakewood, CO 80215 888-510-0350 _________________________ The Flower Bin 1805 Nelson Rd. Longmont, CO 80501 303-772-3454 _________________________

Ultra Lo Hydro ultralohydro.com 937-252-8224 _________________________

Victory Hydro Gardening 1387 E. South Boulder Rd. Louisville, CO, 80027 303-664-9376 _________________________ WarHammer Supply 1112 Munroe Ave. Loveland CO 80537 970-635-2602

Greeley Nutrients 700 11th Street Unit 101 Greeley CO 80631 970-673-8302

All Seasons Gardening 434 Turner Drive, Suite 2B Durango, CO 81303 970-385-4769 _________________________

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Colorado Hydroponics & Organics 2740 Commercial Way Unit 1 Montrose CO, 81401 970-252-7450 Greener Mountain Indoor Gardening 20 Lakeview Drive, Unit 210 Nederland CO 80466 303-258-7573 Grow in Peace 176 Hwy. 119 South Nederland CO 80466 303-258-3520 Grow Depot 1434 W. 104th Ave. Northglenn, CO 80234 303-459-7878 Four Corners Organics & Hydroponics LLC 68 Bastille Unit #3 PO Box 627 Pagosa Springs, CO 81147 970-731-1685

Hydro Planet 5022 Kippling St. Wheat Ridge CO 80033 303-279-6090

CONNECTICUT

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CT Home Grown 45 South Canterbury Rd. Canterbury, CT 06331 860-546-6161 _________________________ Grow Crazy 11 Berlin Rd. Unit 2 Cromwell CT 06416 203-660-8486 Harvest Moon Hydroponics 775 Silver Lane, East Hartford, CT 06118 860-568-4067 LiquidSun速 CT 10C South Main Street, East Windsor, CT 06088 860-254-5757 _________________________

Rogue Hydroponics 160 Broadway Hamden, CT 06518 866-277-4432 _________________________ Organix Hydroponics 749 Saybrook Road, (Tradewinds Plaza) Middletown, CT 06457 860-343-1923 _________________________

Good To Grow 335 Westport Avenue Norwalk, CT 06851 203-956-5600 www.goodtogrowct.com _________________________

Delaware Sunny Day Organics 1867 Coastal Hwy. Rehoboth Beach, Delaware MD 19917 302-703-2538

FLORIDA Urban Sunshine 1420 E. Altamonte Dr. Altamonte Springs, FL 32701 407-830-4769 Full Bloom Hydroponics 1489 W. Palmetto Boca Raton FL 33486 888-725-4769 Best Hydro 4920 Lena Road, Bradenton, FL 34211 941-756-1928 Palm Coast Hydroponics 4490 N Hwy US1 Ste. 108 Bunnell FL 32110 386-246-4119 East Coast Hydroponics & Organics 461 Forrest Avenue, Suite 105 Coca, FL 32922 321-243-6800 GreenTouch Hydroponics Inc. 5011 S State Road 7, Suite 104 Davie, FL 33314 954-316-8815 Absolute Hydroponic Garden Center Inc 336 North Boundary Ave. Deland, FL 32720 386-734-0696 Organic Grow Hut 2 780 Deltona Blvd. #107 Deltona, Florida 32725 1-888-574-GROW; 386-259-5777 Gold Coast Hydroponics 1539 SW 21st Avenue, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33312 1-800-780-7371 _________________________

Biofloral 6250 NW 27th Way, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309 877-735-6725 _________________________ Green Thumb H ydroponics Supplies 13482 North Cleveland Avenue, Fort Meyers, FL 33903 239-997-4769 Gator Hydroponics 4460 SW 35th Terrace Suite 310 Gainesville, FL 32608 352-301-5383 _________________________

Florida Garden Supplies 2692 W 79 Street, Hialeah, FL 33016 1-800-931-5215 _________________________ Simply Hydroponics & Organics (North) 3642 South Suncoast Boulevard, Homosassa, FL 34448 352-628-2655 Hydroponics International Inc. 7029-10 Commonwealth Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32220 904-693-6554 _________________________

Grower’s Choice & Hydroponics 11855 North Main Street, Jacksonville, FL 32218 904-683-4517 _________________________

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Growers Choice South 8535 Baymeadows Rd. Suite 13 Jacksonville FL 32256 904-647-7156 _________________________ Urban Organics & Hydroponics 5325 Fairmont Street, Jacksonville, FL 32207 904-398-8012 Simply Hydroponics & Organics 7949 Ulmerton Road, Largo, FL 33773 727-531-5355 GrowSmart Indoor Garden Centers 14587 Southern Boulevard, Loxahatchee, FL 33470 561-429-3527 Palm Beach Discount Hydroponics – West 14703 Southern Blvd.

Loxahatchee, FL 33470 561-296-8555 _________________________

High Tech Garden Supply 2975 West New Haven Avenue, Melbourne, FL 32901 321-821-0853 ________________________ Advanced Hydro Gardens 4960 NW 165 Street, Suite B-4, Miami, FL 33014 305-474-4376 All Star Hydroponics Inc 8901 SW 129th Street Miami FL 33176 800-842-8582 Blossoms Exper ience, The 7207 NW 54th Street, Miami, FL 33166 866-452-4769 _________________________

Florida Garden Supplies 9545 Sunset Drive, Miami, FL 33173 800-931-5215 _________________________ Future Farms Inc., The 14291 SW 120th Street, Suite 105 Miami, FL 33186 305-382-2757 Gold Coast Hydroponics 4241 SW 71st Avenue, Miami, FL 33155 1-800-780-6805 Growing Garden Inc., The 12811 SW 42nd Street, Miami, FL 33175 305-559-0309 VitaOrganix 7921 NW 67th St Miami, FL 33166 786-845-8633 3D Hydroponics and Organics 7139 US Highway #19, New Port Richey, FL 34652 727-847-3491 _________________________

Florida Garden Supplies 8442 Tradeport Drive, Unit 200, Orlando, FL 32827 _________________________ Urban Sunshine 6100 Hanging Moss Rd ste 50 Orlando, FL 32807 407-647-4769

Urban Sunshine 6142 S. Orange Ave Orlando, FL 32809 407-859-7728 Vertical Food Growers 10964 Dearden Circle Orlando, FL 32817 407-671-4241

Stoney Hydro @ Schiro’s Barn n Garden Supplies 7812 Causeway Blvd Tampa, FL 33619 813-626-0902 _________________________

Worm’s Way Florida 4412 North 56th Street, Tampa, FL 33610 800-283-9676; 813-621-1792 _________________________ Monkey Hydroponics 940 West Oakland Ave. Unit A1 407-574-8495

Eden Garden Supply 3111 N. Davis Hwy., Pensacola FL 32503 850 439 1299 _________________________ Healthy Gardens and Supply of Florida, Inc. 196 East Nine Mile Road, Suite F, Pensacola, FL 32534 850-912-4545 _________________________

National Garden Wholesale/ Sunlight Supply 455 S. Andrews Avenue, Pompano Beach, FL 33069 877-649-3567 (Southeast) _________________________ Hydroponic Depot II 2395 S Tamiami Trail #19 Port Charlotte FL 33952 941-255-3999 EZ Grow Green 604 S.W. Bayshore Blvd.

Port St. Lucie, Fl 34983 772-807-7755 _________________________

Atlantis Hydroponics 8042 N. Palafox st. Suite C Pensacola FL 32534 850-912-8796 _________________________ Urban Sunshine Organic & Hydroponic Gardening 2841 South Nove Rd., Ste. 5 South Daytona, FL 32119 386-236-9989; 386-492-6978 Mr. Nice Guy Hydroponics 1800 NW. Federal Hwy., Stuart, FL 34994 772-934-6785 Esposito Garden Center 2743 Capital Circle NE, Tallahassee, FL 32308 850-386-2114 Evershine Hydroponics 1519 Capital Circle NE Unit #35 Tallahassee FL 32308 850-765-0040 Grace’s Hydro-Organic Garden Center 8877 North 56th Street Tampa, FL 33617 813-514-9376 Grace’s Hydro-Organic Garden Center 8707 Temple Terrace Highway Tampa FL 33637 813-514-9376 Hydroponics of Tampa 120 W. Bougain Villea, Tampa, FL 33612 813-333-6828 Schiro’s Barn-N-Garden Supplies Inc. 7812 Causeway Blvd Tampa FL 33619 813-626-0902

HAWAII Eco-Island Supply 810 Haiku Road, #394 Haiku, HI 96708 808-575-9171

Green Winters Inc. 147 Tomoka Avenue, Ormond Beach, FL 32174 386-235-8730; 800-931-5215 The Healthy Harvest Ste. 126 21113 Johnson St. Pembroke Pines, FL. 33029 954-538-1511 _________________________

Atlantis Hydroponics 5182-B Brook Hollow Parkway, Norcross, GA 30071 770-558-1346

Happy Planet Hydroponics 1179 E. Alfred St., Tavares FL 32778 352-253-1001 365 Hydroponics 13054 W Colonial Drive Winter Garden, FL 34787 407-656-GROW(4769) Cultivating Eden Hydroponic Supplies 946 18th Avenue SW, Vero Beach, FL 32962 772-564-8880 _________________________

Aqua Plant Hawaii / Kahala Hydroponics 4224 Wailae, Suite 1A, Honolulu, HI 96816 808-735-8665 Green Hands of Aloha 1713 Mary Street, Honolulu, HI 96819 808-847-4263 Ohana Greenhouse & Garden Supply 300 Hukilike Street, #2M, Kahalui, HI 96732 808-871-6393 Aiyah’s Garden 4558 Kukui Street.

Kapa’a, HI. 96746 Aiyah’s Garden 3-3122 Kuhio Hwy. unit B-2 Lihue, HI. 96766 808-245-2627 Pahoa Feed & Fertilizer 15-2754 Old Government Road, Pahoa, HI 96778 808-965-9955

IDAHO Florida Garden Supplies 8020 Belvedere Road,Unit 4, West Palm Beach,FL 33411 800-931-5215 _________________________ Palm Beach Discount Hydroponics – East 968 North Congress Ave. West Palm Beach, FL 33409 561-296-6161

GEORGIA

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Atlantis Hydroponics 1422 Woodmont Lane, #4, Atlanta, GA 30318 404-367-0052 _________________________ Flora Hydroponics, Inc. 1239 Fowler St. NW Atlanta, GA 30318 404-532-0001 Flora Hydroponics Inc. 2475 Jefferson Road, Suite 600 Athens, GA 30607 866-404-0551 Flora Hydroponics, Inc. 195 Paradise Blvd.

Athens, GA 30607 800-470-6881 Atlantis Hydroponics 2561 West Point Avenue, College Park, GA 30337 678-510-0032 Alpha Hydroponics and Garden Supply Inc. 3904 N Druid Hills Rd. Suite 247 Decatur, GA 30033 404-590-4769 _________________________

Savannah Hydroponics & Organics 4107 Eighth Street, Suite C Garden City, GA 31408 912-349-4030 _________________________

Boise Hydroponics 614 North Orchard Street, Boise, ID 83706 208-344-3053 Four Seasons Garden Supply 6218 W Overland Rd Boise ID 83709 208-377-3030 Greenthumb Greenhouses 5895 Ensign Avenue, Boise, ID 83714

ILLINOIS Aerostar Global 824 South Kay Avenue, Addison, IL 60101 Brew and Grow 181 Crossroads Parkway, Bolingbrook, IL 60194 847-885-8282 Let it Grow - Carbondale West Main Street, Carbondale, IL 62908 573-450-5401 Versaponics.COM Box 166 West Main St. Carbondale, IL62901 573-450-5401 Alternative Garden Supply 615 Industrial Drive, Unit A Cary, IL 60013 800-444-2837 Brew and Grow 3625 N. Kedzi Avenue, Chicago, IL 60618 773-463-7430 Chicago Roots Hydroponics & Organics 4020 W. Irving Park Road Chicago, IL 60641 773-545-4020 Fertile Ground 463 West MacArthur Drive, Cottage Hills, IL 62018 618-259-5500 Brew and Grow- Crystal Lake 176 W. Terra Cotta Ave. Crystal Lake, IL 60014 815-301-4950 _________________________

Midwest Hydroganics 20647 Renwick Road, Crest Hill, IL 60403 815-838-0100

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MAXiMuM YiELD distributors _________________________

Goldman’s Grow Shop 910 Greenwood Road, Glenview, IL 60025 847-657-7250 _________________________ Grow Masters 4641 Old Grand Ave. Gurnee, Il. 60031 224-399-9877 Big Grow Hydroponics 9225 Trinity Drive, Lake In The Hills, IL 60156 847-854-4450 Grow Big Hydroponics 7817 B North 2nd Street, Manchesney Park, IL 61115 815-637-4769 Gardinside 618 S. Rt. 59 suite 104 Naperville, IL 60540 630-276-9885 Green Fields 8137 N. Milwaukee, Niles, IL 60714 847-965-5056 _________________________

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Kreation’s Indoor Gardening Center 3427 Old Chatman Road, Springfield, IL 62704 217-341-0821 Kreation’s Indoor Gardening Center 2110 North Grand Ave Springfield , IL, 62702 217-341-0821 _________________________ Joe Dirt’s Organics & Hydroponics 760 Heartland Drive.

Sugar Grove IL 60554 630-466-8346 Water Works Indoor Gardening 1900 South Dirksen Parkway, Springfield, IL 62703 217-553-6929

Grow Shop of Peoria 2621 N University Peoria, IL 61604 309-299-0953 GroUp Gardening 221 N. 5TH St. Pekin, IL 61554 309-349-4407

Sunleaves Garden Products 7854 North State Road 37, Bloomington, IN 47404 888-464-9676 _________________________

Worm’s Way Indiana 7850 North State Road 37, Bloomington, IN 47404 800-598-8158 _________________________

Worm’s Way Mail Order 7850 North State Road 37 Bloomington, IN 47404 800-274-9676 _________________________ Frogs Lilly Pad, The 706 Citation Road, Carmel, IN 46032 317-846-4610

Heartland Hydrogardens 7403 Broadway St. Quincy, IL 62305 217-214-GROW(4769) _________________________ Brew and Grow 3224 South Alpine Road, Rockford, IL 61109 815-874-5700 Rock Valley Garden Center 785 N.Bell School Rd. Rockford, IL 61107 815-398-9419 Brew and Grow 359 W. Irving Park Road Unit E, Roselle, IL 60172 630-894-4885 Organic Garden Center 9223 Skokie Blvd.

Skokie, IL 60077 847-675-2722

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One Stop Grow Shop 2326 E.44th St. Indianapolis IN 46205 317-546-GROW Five Point Gardens 56555 Oak Road, South Bend, IN 46619 574-287-9232

Hops & Harvest 4616 E. DuPont Road, Suite Q, Fort Wayne, IN 46825 260-918-3035 Harvest Moon Hydroponics 1336 East Washington St. Indianapolis, IN 46202 317-780-8020 Magic Bulb Garden Center 6221 Allisonville Rd. Indianapolis, IN 46220 317-202-2852 _________________________

Maximum Grow Gardening 6117 E Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46219 317-359-GROW (4769) _________________________

Maximum Yield Usa | June 2013

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Evergreen Garden Center 301 Forest Ave Portland, ME 04101 207-761-2800 _________________________

KANSAS Kan-Grow Hydro Farm LLC 5555 S. Meridian Ave. Wichita, KS 67217 316-214-3022

KENTUCKY Garden Grove Organics 29 East 7th Street, Covington, (Cincinnati Metro), KY 41011 859-360-1843 _________________________

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Aerogro 502 N Prospect suite 18 Bloomington, IL, 61704 Prairie House Garden Center 15151 South Harlem Avenue, Orland, IL 60462 708-687-3131 _________________________

Next Generation Gardening & Hydroponics 6805 Madison Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46227 317-786-0066

INDIANA

BWGS-IN 1400 Hancel Pkwy., Mooresville, IN 46158 800-316-1306 _________________________

Autumn Bloom Alternative Indoor Gardening 1020 Derby Street Pekin, Illinois 61554 309-642-6943 _________________________

Retail Stores listed alphabetically by city in each state.

Worm’s Way Kentucky 1360 Donaldson Hwy. Suite A, Erlanger, KY 41018 800-669-2088 _________________________

High Tech Garden Supply Maine178 Rand Rd. Portland, ME 04102 207-899-4387 _________________________

Here We Grow 30 Parsons St. Presque Isle, ME 04769 207-SOY-BEAN (769-2326) Green Thumb Indoor Gardening 19 Stage Road, St. Albans, ME 04971 207-938-5909 New England Horticulture Supply 125 John Roberts Road Suite 1 South Portland, ME 04106 207-899-0510 Urban Garden Center 235 Lewiston Road, Topsham, ME 04086 207-373-0990

Louisville Hydroponics 3471 Taylor Boulevard, Louisville, KY 40215 502-366-4000

Greenlife Garden Supply 611 US Rt. 1 York, ME 03909 207-363-0844

New Earth Garden Center 9810 Taylorsville Road, Louisville, KY 40299 800-462-5953

MARYLAND

Bluegrass Organic Grow Shop 125 Quinn Dr., Nicholasville, KY 40356 859-887-0677 Bluegrass Hydro Garden 13529 S.Dixie Hwy. Upton, KY 42784 270-369-9000

LOUISIANA Laughing Buddha Nursery 4516 Clearview Parkway, Metairie, LA 70006 504-887-4336 Urban Organics 285 St. Claude Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70117 504-352-4709 Ourcrazydeals Hydroponics 201 Angus Drive, Yungsville, LA 70592 337-303-6146

MAINE The Urban Garden Center 600 Wilson St. Brewer, ME 04412 207-989-2020 LiquidSun of Maine 51West Gray Rd. Gray, ME 04039 207-657-8033 Natures Palate Indoor Garden Store 1321 Mercer Rd ( rte2) Mercer, ME 04957 877-587-4150; 207-587-4150 Newfield Farms 122 Water Street, Newfield, ME 04095 207-956-3334

Mass Hydro 390 Rhode Island Ave. Fall River MA 02721 704-GO-HYDRO Harvest Moon Hydroponics 29 Washington Street, Route 1 Foxboro, MA 02035 800-660-6977 Here We Grow 123 Russell St. (Rt. 9) Hadley, MA 01035 413-584-FARM (3276) LiquidSun® MA 8 Lynwood Avenue, Holyoke, MA 01040 413-539-6875 _________________________

The Urban Garden Center 659 Warren Ave Portland, ME 04103 207-347-2350

Grow Shop, The of Lexington 2320 Palumbo Drive, Suite 130, Lexington, KY 40509 859-268-0779

The Wine-N-Vine Inc. 1524 East McGalliard RD. Muncie IN. 47303 765-282-3300

GYOstuff – Grow Your Own 2400 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140 617-945-1654

East Coast Organics 2800 Sisson Street, Baltimore, MD 21211 Healthy Gardens and Supply 5001-F Harford Road, Baltimore, MD 21214 443-708-5144 Eco Greenworks 7814 Parston Dr. Forestville, MD 20747 301-278-7541 Maryland Hydroponics Inc. 10051 North 2nd Street, Laurel, MD 20723 301-490-9236

Rootdown Hydroponics Indoor Garden Center 236 Mystic Ave. Medford MA 01255 781-874-1693 _________________________ Green Path Garden Supply 276 West Main Street, Northborough, MA 01532 508-393-4181 LiquidSun® RI 1179 Central Avenue, Pawtucket, MA 02861 401-722-2724 _________________________

Evergreen Garden Center 216 Newbury St. Peabody MA 01960 978-854-5541 _________________________ Hydroponics N More Garden Center 331 Centre Ave., Rockland, MA 02370 781-421-3356 Mass Hydro 679 Washington St. S.Attlevoro MA 02703 508-761-4937 _________________________

Meadowview Feed & Garden Center 1202 Meadowview Road, Pasadena, MD 21122 443-817-0018 Purple Mountain Organics 100-7010 Westmoreland Avenue, Takoma Park, MD 20912 877-538-9901 _________________________

Montgomery Hydroponics 8950 Brookville Rd. Silver Springs, MD 20910 301-588-1935 _________________________

MASSACHUSETTS Grow it Green 122 Pulaski Boulevard Bellingham MA 02019 508-883-GROW Greenlife Garden Supply 481 Boston Road, Unit 4, Billerica, MA 01821 978-262-9966 Mass Hydro 1753 Main St. Brockton MA 02301

Tru Bloomz Hydroponics 1201 Fall River Ave. Seekonk, MA 02771 508-336-4443 _________________________

High Tech Garden Supply 560 Boston Turnpike (Rt.9) Shrewsbury, MA 01545 508-845-4477 _________________________

New England Hydroponics 15 D College Hwy. (Rt. 10), Southampton, MA 01073 888-529-9025 _________________________

Nor'easter Organic Life 515 College Highway Unit J Southwick, MA 01077 413-998-3951 _________________________

Worm’s Way Massachusetts 121 Worc-Providence Turnpike, Sutton, MA 01590 800-284-9676 _________________________ LiquidSun East 12 Bay Street. Unit 105 Wilmington, MA 01887 978-447-5442

MICHIGAN Get Growing Urban Garden Centre 142 S. Main St Adrian MI 49221 All Things Good and Green 501 E. Michigan Ave. Augusta MI 49012 269-978-8550 Allegan Hydroponic Supply 1177 Lincoln Rd. Allegan MI 49010 269-355-1595 _________________________

Cultivation Station 2734 Jackson Ave. Ann Arbor, MI 48103 734-213-7740 _________________________ U Can Grow Hydro 2247 W. Liberty Ann Arbor MI 4810 734-369-3387 _________________________

Cultivation Station of Michigan Inc., The 6540 Allen Road, Allen Park, MI 48101 313-383-1766 _________________________

Gro Blue Discount Hydro and Indoor Garden Supplies 4072 Packard Rd. Ann Arbor MI 48108 734-913-2750 _________________________ Grow S how, The 4095 Stone School Rd. Ann Arbor, MI 48108 734-677-0009; 734-677-0509 HotHydro® 5245 Jackson Road, Suite F Ann Arbor, MI 48103 734-761-5040; 877-893-0716 All things Good and Green 501 E. Michigan Ave. Augusta, MI 49012 269-978-8550 Battle Creek Indoor Gardening 1125 E.Michigan Ave. Battle Creek MI 49014 269-282-0554

Grow Supply Center 3131 Benzie Hwy. Benzonia, MI 49616 231-882-9270

HydroMaster 36345 Grosebeck Hwy Clinton Twp, MI 48035 586-792-0277

Sunnyside Hydroponics 24930 Gratiot Avenue, Eastpoint, MI 48021 586-777-2528

J&L Growco 206 S. Michigan Avenue, Big Rapids, MI 49307 231-796-1528

Hydro Pro’s Indoor Garden 20560 Hall Rd. Clinton Township MI 48038 586-263-5793

Bay de Noc Hydroponic & Garden Supply 1501 Sheridan Rd. Escanaba MI 49829 906-553-7006

Hydro Vision 11820 Belleville Belleville, MI 48111 734-325-6210 One Stop Grow Shop Inc., The 397 Main St. Suite A. Belleville, MI 48111 734-325-7242 Growers Outlet 7720 Clyde Park SW Byron Center, MI 49513 616-878-4444 Happy Harvesters Hydroponics 4410 South Saginaw St. Burton MI 48529 810-496-3005 Hydroponic Gardening 4204 Davison Rd. Burton, MI 48505 810-406-3355 Two Guys and a Grow Shop 3374 Atherton Rd. Burton, MI 48509 810-820-4275 _________________________

Hydro Giant #4 6199 Haggerty Rd. West Bloomfield MI 48322 248-668-6100 _________________________ A Plus Hydroponics of Michigan LLC 9750 Cherry Valley Ave SE Caledonia MI 49316 616-891-0706 Greenway Gardens 916 W 13th St Cadillac, Mi,49601 231-775-7075 Indoor Grower’s Edge 8998 E. 34 Road. Suite B Cadillac MI 49601 231-468-3343 Hydro Helper 6445 Canton Center Rd. Canton, MI 48187 734-354-3900 ________________________

Cultivation Station 3 Inc. 46912 Gratiot, Chesterfield, MI 48051 586-949-7453 _________________________ Hydro Pro’s Indoor Garden 30504 23 Mile Rd. Chesterfield MI 48047 586-741-8805 ________________________

The Great Lakes Hydroponics Co. 5998 US.31 South Charlevoix MI 49720 231-237-9153 _________________________ Horti-Toad Hydroponic Supply 21323 Harper St. Clair Shores, MI 48080 586-944-0650

BIG Gr een Tomato 1775 E. Columbia Ave Battle Creek MI 49014 269-282-1593

All American Indoor Gardening Warehouse 11504 N. Saginaw Road Clio, MI 48420 810-640-1156

Homelight Gardens 3471 S. Huron Road, Bay City, MI 48706 989-922-0088

Clio Cultivation 11394 N.Saginaw Rd. Clio, MI 48420 810-686-4769

H2O Grow Supply 3364 Arent Ct Coloma, MI 49038 269-468-3890 Van Hydro 7480 N State, Davison, MI 48423 810-653-8267 _________________________

The Grow Station 5670 Telegraph Rd. Dearborn, MI 48127 313-406-5147; 800-797-4769 (GROW) __________________________

Hydro Giant #1 14455 Ford Rd., Dearborn MI 48126 734 497 6434 ________________________

Cultivation Station – Eastern Ma rket, The 2518 Market Street, Detroit, MI 48207 313-394-0441 ________________________ Growers R Us 19317 West Warren Detroit, MI 48228 313-633-1617 _________________________

Hydro Giant #3 21651 W. 8 Mile Rd.(8 Mile & Lahser) Detroit MI 48219 313 387 7700 _________________________ Hydro Heaven 73647 W 8th Mile Road, Detroit, MI 48235 313-861-0333; 877-823-2076 _________________________

Ultra Lo Hydro ultralohydro.com 937-252-8224 _________________________

Urban Gardening Center, The 2520 22nd Street, Detroit, MI 48216 313-898-0200 _________________________

Superior Growers Supply 4870 Dawn Avenue, East Lansing, MI 48823 517-332-2663 _________________________

Hydro Vision 495 Fenway Dr. Fenton, MI 810-714-1719 Green Thumb Garden Center 22963 Woodward Avenue Ferndale MI 48220 248-439-1851 Granny Gr een Thumbs 103 W. Grand River Flowerville MI 48836 517-223-1302 Indoor/Outdoor Garden Shop 105 N. Seymour Rd. Flushing, MI 48433 810-867-4351 _________________________

The Grow Shop of Garden City 28505 Ford Road Garden City, MI 48135 734-956-5400 _________________________

Synthetic Sun Hydroponics, LLC 799 S. Wisconsin Avenue Gaylord, MI 49735 989-731-8800 _________________________

Growco Garden Supply 1042 Michigan Street, NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 877-939-6900 NEW 2nd LOCATION! 4640 West River Dr Comstock Park, Mi. 49321 _________________________

Home Grown Hydroponix 5333 Plainfield Suite C, Grand Rapids MI 49525, 616-361-2924 _________________________

Horizen Hydroponics 1614 Leonard Street, NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504 866-791-1664 _________________________ Grand Rapids Hydroponics Inc. 524 Leonard St., Grand Rapids MI 49504 616-454-2500 _________________________

Garden Doctor 2974 28th St. SW Grandville MI 49418 616 530 2500 _________________________ Holland Hydroponic Outlet 604 N. Beacon Blvd Grand Haven MI 49423 616-847-1277

BSS Garden Supplies 8899 Peck Rd. Unit #2 Greenville, MI 48838 616-225-7000 It is Green Ville Gardens 11500 Morgan Mills Road NE Greenville, MI 48838 616-745-0500 _________________________

Hydroharrys- HP 24047 Dequindre Road Hazel Park, MI 48030 248-541-0099 _________________________ Garden Doctor 2974 28th St. SW Grandville MI 49418 616-530-2500 Absolute Wholesale Garden Supply 3255 Highland Rd. Highland MI 48357 248-714-6558 Holland Hydroponic Outlet 587-40 East 8th Street, Holland, MI 49423 616-298-7395 _________________________

Flower F actory, The 2223 East Highland Road Highland, MI 48356 248-714-9292 _________________________ Mr. Grow it All 6660 Blair Lane Holland, MI 49424 616-392-3028 Hydro Grow Room 15201 N Holly Rd Unit B Holly MI, 48430 248-369-8333 Holland Hydroponic Outlet 1220 Phoenix Rd. South Haven MI 49090 269-637-5941 ________________________

HGR Garden Supply 15231 N. Holly Rd. Holly MI 48442 248-369-8333 ________________________ J&W Farm & Garden Center 10906 Main St. Honor, MI 49640 231-325-3433 _________________________

Synthetic Sun Hydroponics, LLC 705 S., Loxley Houghton Lake, MI 48629 989-422-2800 _________________________ Hydro Vision 1247 e Grand River Howell, MI 48843 517-552-4965

Maximum Yield Usa | June 2013

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MAXiMuM YiELD distributors Hydro Magic 595 South Cedar St. Imlay City 48444 810-721-7232 Ionia Hydroponics & Indoor Garden Supply 2555 N. State(M-66) Rd. Ionia, MI 48846 616-523-6111 Hydrocapitol 258 Cooper St. Jackson MI 49201 517-795-2633 Mighty Grow 2418 West Michigan Ave. Jackson MI 49202 517-962-4822 _________________________

High Tech Garden Supply 1745 West Main St. Kalamazoo, MI 49006 269-978-8697 _________________________

Horizen Hydroponics 4646 W. Main Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49006 269-567-3333 _________________________ Kalamazoo Indoor Garden 450 W. Maple, Kalamazoo, MI 49001 269-344-2550 Plainwell Indoor/Outdoor Garden Center 8201 Douglas Ave. Kalamazoo, MI 49009 269-532-1167 Zoo City Grower Supply 3514 S. Westnedge Kalamazoo, MI 49008 269-903-2450 Halms Hydro 2368 S. Huron Rd. Kawkawklin, MI 48631 989-402-1296 _________________________

High Tech Garden Supply 2815 East Grand River Ave. Lansing, MI 48912 517-580-0555 _________________________ Howz It Growing 1290 S. Lapeer Rd., Lake Orion, MI 48360 248-693-5747 Capital City Growers 2208 E. Michigan Ave. Lansing MI 48912 517-853-9988 _________________________

Horizen Hydroponics 5425 W. Saginaw Highway Lansing, MI 48917 517-323-ROOT _________________________ H2O Hydroponics 5210 W. Saginaw Hwy Lansing MI 48917 517-703-8120 _________________________

Superior Growers Supply Inc. 3928 West Saginaw Highway Lansing, MI 48917 517-327-1900 _________________________

180

Howz It Growing 700 Main St. Ste.101B Lapeer MI 48446 810-245-8687

Retail Stores listed alphabetically by city in each state.

_________________________

Two Guys and a Grow Shop 11917 E. Lennon Rd. Lennon, MI 48449 810-621-3790 _________________________ Third Coast Horticulture Supply 2357 Holton Rd. Suite B Muskegon, MI 49445 231-288-1762 _________________________ Superior Growers Supply Inc. 292200 Seven Mile West Livonia, MI 48152 248-473-0450 _________________________ The Barefoot Gardener 11635 Fulton St. Suite 300B Lowell, MI 49331 616-987-3457 Plant Paradise 4593 W.US 10 Ludington, MI 49431 231-843-3000 Northern Lights Hydroponic & Garden Supply 29090 Campbell rd.

Madison Heights, MI 48071 248-439-6269 Hypnotic Hydroponics 321 Deer St. Manistique MI 49854 906- 341-GROW

Flo-N-Grow Hydroponics Co. 214 North 2nd Street Niles, MI 49120 269-683-1877 www.FNGhydro.com _________________________

Aric’s Indoor Garden Supply W. 8065 US Highway 2 Iron Mountain, Michigan 49801 906-828-2000 _________________________

HGR Garden Supply 200 E. Main St, Owosso MI 48867 989-472-4999 _________________________ Owlyn Solutions for Growers 2398 Jolly Rd. Ste 300 Okemos MI 48864 517-203-5070

Stealth Hydro 14630 King Dr. Milan, MI 48160 734-961-4333 _________________________

Watch it Grow Hydroponics 407 W. Center Street, Omer, MI 48749 989-653-2141

Green Grow LLC 9046 N. Dort, Mount Morris, MI 48458 810-687-9500 Big Blue Hydroponics 590 Ottawa St. Muskegon, MI 49441 231-571-9400 Growing Consultant Hydroponics & Things 2260 Apple Avenue, Muskegon, MI 49442 231-773-5600 Green Lantern H2O 1383 E. Laketon Ave Muskegon, Mi 49442 231-722-0420 Indoor Grower’s Edge 2410 S.Leaton Suite 5 Mount Pleasant MI 48858 989-317-0944 Sunshine Supply Co. 5800 East Pickard Street, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858 989-775-3700

Maximum Yield Usa | June 2013

Hydro Vision 66783 Gratiot Ave. Richmond, MI 48062 586-430-1956

Advanced Hydroponic Growers 705 N. US 27, St.Johns, MI 48879 989-227-0408

Happy Gardening 20840 Telegraph Rd. Romulus MI 48174 734-486-4115

Hydro City LLC 34863 Schoenherr, Sterling Heights, MI 48312 586-883-9075 _________________________

_________________________ High Tech Garden Supply 7889 Telegraph Road.

Taylor, MI 48180 313-908-7554 _________________________ Growers Edge 175 Marcell Dr Rockford MI 49341 _________________________

Green Thumb Hydroponics & Organic Indoor Supply 8460 Algoma Suite G Rockford MI 49341 616-884-5500 _________________________

Hydro Gr ow, The 8210 Telegraph Road, Taylor, MI 48180 313-633-0641 Cultivation Innovations 6652 Lewis Ave. Suite 7 Temperance MI 48182 419-725-4769 Great Lakes Green Horticultural Supply 757 S. U.S. Highway 131 Three Rivers, MI 49093 269-278-130 Grow Depot 9 North Main St. Three Rivers, MI 49093 269-273-4769 Grow S tore, The 90 N U.S. Highway 31 South Traverse City, MI 49685-7923 231-421-5191

Sweet Greens Hydroponics 113 Fifth Street.

Michigan Center, MI 49254 517-764-9232

The Grow Shop 2609 Telegraph Rd. Monroe MI 48162 734-384-4769 _________________________

Horti-Toad Hydroponic Supply 21323 Harper St. Clair Shores MI 48080 586-944-0650

Harbor Country Hydro 17648 US Highway 12 New Buffalo, MI 49117 269-469-2242 _________________________

BIg Creek Hydroponics 555 Old Little Lake Road, Marquette, MI 49855 906-249-5297 Indoor Garden Center 236 Mystic Ave. Medford, MA 02155 781-874-1693

Ultra Green Hydroponics 9300 Telegraph Rd. Redford MI 48239 313-534-9377

Happy Harvesters Hydroponics 1772 S. Ortonville Drive.

Ortonville MI 48462 248-793-3357 Healthy Harvest Garden Supply 233 South State St. Oscoda, MI 48750 989-569-3006 Hydro Grow Source 10609 East Lovejoy Perry MI 48872 517-376-8583 Super Grow 288 W. Montcalm Pontiac, MI 48342 248-24SUPER (78737) Green Earth Hydroponics 8127 Portage Rd., Portage, MI 49002 269-342-419 _________________________

Hydro Giant #5 290 S. Telegraph Pontiac MI 48341 248-706-7600 _________________________

Hydroponics Highway Inc. 2708 14th Ave. Port Huron MI, 48060 810-982-4769 _________________________

High Tech Garden Supply 28000 Groesbeck Highway Roseville, Michigan 48066 586-435-2335 _________________________ Plant Paradise 7657 Michigan Ave. Rothbury, MI 49452 231-843-3000 GrowMart 2137 Warwick st.

Saginaw, MI 48603 989-799-6330 Home Grown Hydroponics 4880 Gratiot Rd., Ste # 2 Saginaw MI 48638 989-781-1930 _________________________

Superior Growers Supply, Inc. 5716 South Pennsylvania Avenue South Lansing, MI 48911 517-393-1600 _________________________ Third Coast Garden Supply LLC 2327 Auburn Rd. Shelby Township MI 48195 586-997-2700 ________________________

Hydro Giant #2 19363 Eureka Rd., Southgate MI 48195 734-281-8888 _______________________

Cultivation Station of Michigan Inc., The 23529 Little Mack Avenue, St. Clair, MI 48080 586-775-9485 _______________________

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Cultivation Station 1990 US-31 N. Ste. C., Traverse City, MI 49686 231-421-8118 _________________________

High Tech Garden Supply 720 South Garfield Ave. Traverse City, MI 49686 231-668-6913 _________________________ Woodland Shore Garden Center 956 W. South Airport Rd. Traverse City, MI 49686 231-421-5901 Hydro Vision 1910 West rd Trenton, MI 48183 734-301-3745 Hydro Pro’s Indoor Garden 45410 Van Dyke Ave. Utica MI 48317 586-803-0966 Forever Green 340 S.Main Street, Vassar, MI 48768 989-882-9177 H2 Hydro 702 N. Pontiac Trail Walled Lake, MI 48390 248-669-6063 _________________________

Hydroharrys – WL 1138 E. West Maple Road Walled Lake, MI 48390 248-896-0099 _________________________ Beste’s Hydroponics 21410 Schoenherr Road Warren, MI 48089 586-776-1794

Hydro King Indoor Garden Supply 32000 Van Dyke Ave Warren MI 48093 586-939-0518’

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Greco’s Nursery & Garden Supplies 12219 E. 11 Mile Road Warren MI 48093 586-759-1335 Indoor Garden Superstore 2570 Dixie Highway, Waterford Twp., MI 48328 248-673-2200; 877-22-HYDRO Happy Harvesters Hydroponics 5720 Highland Rd. Waterford MI 48327 248-599-9761 Light Green Water 3661 Highland Road, Waterford, MI 48329 248-681-0001 Bubonic Hydroponics 38540 Michigan Ave Wayne MI, 48184 734-331-2316 _________________________

The Grow Stop 7380 Highland Road Waterford, MI 48327 248-599-9231 _________________________

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Heartland Hydrogardens 705 Vandiver Drive, Suite G Columbia, MO 65202 573-474-4769 _________________________ Grow Your Own Hydroponics 3617 Saint John Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64123 816-241-2122 _________________________

MINNESOTA Duluth Hydroponics 26 W 1st Street Duluth, MN 55802 218-341-7253 The Interior Tomato, LLC 519 N. Central Ave. Duluth, MN 55087 218-260-5167 _________________________

Grower’s Edge 175 Marcell Drive Rockford, MI, 49341 _________________________ U-Grow 1724 North, 13th Street, St. Louis, MO 63106 314-452-6368 _________________________

Hydrospot 34236 Michigan Avenue, Wayne, MI 48184 734-722-1285 _________________________ B&B Hydro Supply 28974 Warren Rd Westland MI 48185 734-469-280 Ultra Green Hydroponics 8067 N. Wayne Rd. Westland MI 48185 734-425-1000 G.C. II 1006 E. Colby St. Suite A Whitehall, MI 49417 231-893-2400 _________________________

Indoor Eden 9281 East-M 36 Whitmore MI 48189 810-355-1465 _________________________ AAA Hydroponics LLC 22 50th Street Wyoming, MI 49504 616-249-8338 Urban Garden Supply 4516 Pasadena Ave. Flint, MI 48504 810-733-0420 Urban Garden Supply 3410 S. Dort Hwy Flint, MI 48507 810-875-9580 _________________________

Indoor Gardening 10 NE 3rd Street, Faribault, MN 55021 507-209-1546 _________________________ Brew and Grow 8302 Highway 65 NE., Minneapolis, MN 55432 763-780-8191 Interior Gardens 115 -1620 Central Avenue NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413 800-498-4178; 612-870-9077 _________________________

Midwest Hydroponics 5825 Excelsior Blvd., St. Louis Park,MN 55416 888-449-2739 _________________________ Eden Indoor Organic Gardens 831 Highway 75 North Moorhead, MN 56560 218-477-EDEN (333 _________________________

Worm’s Way Missouri 1225 North Warson Road, St. Louis, MO 63132 800-285-9676 _________________________

Green Thumb O rganics 249 Mid Rivers Mall Drive, St. Peters, MO 63376 636-397-4769 (GROW) _________________________

MONTANA Heightened Harvests 3103 Harrison Ave. Butte, MT 59701 406-494-4222 One World – Life Products 906 Broadwater Billings MT 59101 406-839-9969

Alpengrow Nursery Supplies 238 Highway 93 S., Eureka, MT 59917 406-882-4496 _________________________

Still-H2O Inc. 14375 North 60th Street, Stillwater, MN 55082 651-351-2822 Cultivation Station – Grand Rapids, The 4907 S. Division Ave., Wyoming, MI 49548 616-855-4440 _________________________

Eco Garden Supply 800 Transfer Door 25 in rear St. Paul, MN 55114 651-647-1896

MISSISSIPPI

Bizzy Beez LLP 5875 Highway 93 S, Whitefish, MT 59937 406-863-9937

Hydro101 545 Hooksett Rd. #24 Manchester, NH 03104 603-782-8894 _________________________

NEBRASKA Bodhi Organic Garden Supply 1438 S1 St. Ste 6 Lincoln, NE 68502 402-438-6785 Patio-Ponics 3255 Cornhusker Highway, Suite 4 Lincoln, NE 68504 402-466-9218 ________________________

Natural Roots Hydroponics 24 Crown St. Nashua NH 03060 603-204-5528 Four Seasons Horticulture Supply 2076 White Mountain Hwy. North Conway, NH 03860 603-733-5444

NEW JERSEY Garden State Hydroponics 511 Avenel Street, Avenel, NJ 07001 888-300-8711

Paradigm Gardens 8949 J Street, Suite 5, Omaha, NE 68127 402-339-4949 _________________________

NEVADA

Lorraine Indoor Gardens 290 Spear Court, Fernley, NV 89408 775-575-7757 Hydro S tore, The 1014 W. Sunset Road, Henderson, NV 89014 702-434-7365 AAA Indoor Organic Garden SuperCenter 2101 S. Decatur Boulevard, #21, Las Vegas, NV 89102 702-450-4769 Advanced Gardens Hydroponics 7850 Dean Martin Dr. Suite 506 Las Vegas,NV 89139 702-247-4769 All American Hydroponics 2675 East Patrick Lane, Unit 8, Las Vegas, NV 89120 702-894-9888 Best Hydroponic Supply 6818 W Cheyenne, Las Vegas, NV 89108 702-750-9300

Boyer Indoor Gardening 57 Crescent Blvd.

Gloucester City, NJ 08030 856-456-5000 Bergen County Hydroponics 70 Essex Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601 201-342-2001 _________________________

Green Touch 2 Hydroponics Inc. 888 Route 33, Unit 1, Hamilton, NJ 08619 609-570-8829 _________________________ Garden Indoors of New Jersey 600 Meadowlands Pkwy. Suite 25 Secaucus NJ 07094 201-865-1616 East Coast Horticultural Supply 1652 Hurffville Road, Sewell, NJ 08080, 856-228-5290 77HYDRO 37 Fairfield Place, West Caldwell, NJ 07006 877-774-9376 Claraqua 4 Redwood Court, West Windsor, NJ 08550

NEW MEXICO

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Grow Hydro Gardens 5870 s Decatur Suite 11 Las Vegas, NV 89148 702-997-7053; Toll Free 866-568-4769 Hydro S tore, The 7145 W. Ann Road, Las Vegas, NV 89130 702-434-9376

AHL Year Round Garden Supply 1051 San Mateo Blvd. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108 505-255-3677 _________________________

Nevada Hydroponics 4700 B Maryland, Suite 1, Las Vegas, NV 89119 702-798-2852 Anything Grows 190 West Moana Lane, Reno, NV 89509 775-828-1460

Butteopia 127 Main Street, Butte, Montana 59701 1-406-782-8476 _________________________ Big Sky Garden Supply 528 West Idaho, Kallispell, MT 59901 406-755-1465

Everything Green Hydroponics Box 34869 Reno, Nevada 89533 The Hydro Store 121 Woodland Ave #160 Reno NV 89523 775-787-2760

All Seasons Gardening 3600 Osuna Road, Suite 406 Alburquerque, NM 87109 505-508-4292 _________________________

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Common Shaman 1319 San Mateo N.E., Albuquerque, NM 87110 505-255-6463

MISSOURI

Box of Rain INC 860 North Meridian Rd. Suite B #19&20 Kalispell, MT 59901 406-755-RAIN (7246)

Greenlife Garden Supply 885 Second Street Manchester, NH 03102 603-782-8259

Heavy’s Grow Supply 1325 San Mateo Blvd NE Albuquerque NM 87110 505-315-4573

Versaponics LTD 879 South Kingshighway Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63703 573-450-5401

Cornucopia Grow Your Own 127 Stoner Creek Road Lakeside, MT 59922 406-709-1076

The Beez Kneez Garden Supply 180 Emerald St., Keene, NH 03431 603-903-1488

Dr. Green Hydroponics 129 E. Idaho Ave. Las Cruces NM 88005 575-524-6751

Urban Organics 2217 E Canal St. Picayune MS 39466 504-352-4709 Stealth Hydro 15 E. Cross Street, Ypsilanti, MI 48198 866-998-1916 _________________________

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Carson Valley Hydroponics 2520 Empire Ranch Road, Carson City, NV 89701 775-884-4769

Heightened Harvest 1415 S 32nd St. West Billings MT 59102 406-656-1156 American Garden Supply 601-6th Avenue, North, Princeton, MN 55371 763-631-0543 _________________________

Dr. Gr een Thumbs 1106 West Park, Livingston, MO 59047 406-222-7440

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181

MAXiMuM YiELD distributors _________________________

East Coast Hydroponics 14649 Horace Harding Exp, Flushing, NY 11367 718-762-8880 Healthy Harvest Organics & Hydro 163 Broadway, Fort Edwart, NY 12828 518-480-4698

All Seasons Gardening 1228 Parkway, Suite E Sante Fe, NM 87507 505-438-GROW _________________________ Santa Fe Hydroponics 851 W. San Mateo Road, Suite 4 Santa Fe NM 87505 505-467-8454

Saratoga Organics & Hydroponic Supply 10 Saratoga Ave S. Glen Falls, NY 12803 518-798-820 Hydroponic Shops of America 2568 Western Ave. Guilderland NY 12009 518-355-1503

New Mexico Hydroponics 923 W. Almeada Santa Fe NM 87501 505-316-5855

Hydroponic Shops of America 720 Willow Ave. Ithaca NY 14850 607-697-0199

Taos Gardening Supply 120 Bertha Taos, NM 87571 575-758-9131

Greentree Garden Supply 606 Elmira Rd. Ithaca, NY 14850 607-272-3666

NEW YORK Organica: Garden Supply & Hydroponics 296 Delaware Ave., Albany, NY 12209 518-618-7666 The Grow Room 32-32 49th Street Astoria, NY 11103 718-218-GROW (4769) Saratoga Organics & Hydroponic Supply 19 Front Street, Ballston Spa, NY 12020 518-885-2005; 800-850-4769 The Gr ape Vine 4020 Hempstead Turnpike Bethpage,NY,11714 516-731-1100 Bronx Hydro & Garden 39 Bruckner Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10454 718-993-3787 Bklyn Hydro & Garden 316 McGuiness Blvd Brooklyn NY 11222 718-383-0095 Brooklyn Farms 51 Hicks Street St. Brooklyn, NY 11231 347-725-3491 Indoor Outdoor Gardener 8223 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11209 718-836-2402 Buffalo Roots Hydroponics and Organics 3231 Main Street Buffalo, NY 14214 716-240-9075 Hydroponics of Buffalo 1497 Hertel Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14216 716-838-3545 Harvest Moon Hydroponics 340 West at 59, Central Nyack, NY 10960 California Hydroponics 27 Corporate Circle, East Syracuse, NY 13057 315-432-9387 Upstate Hydroponics 2026 Lake Rd unit B Elmira, NY 14903 607-483-9199 _________________________ FutureGarden Inc. 59 Central Avenue, Farmingdale, NY 11735 516-420-0884 _________________________ Sunflower Supplies, LLC 176-18 Central Ave Farmingdale, NY 11735 631-651-8281

182

Mike’s Nursery & Grower Supplies 199 E. Fairmount Ave, Lakewood, NY 14750 716-763-1612 Harvest Moon Hydroponics 217 Route 32 North, New Paltz, NY 12561 845-255-3633 _________________________

Retail Stores listed alphabetically by city in each state.

Sunset Hydroponics & Home Brewing 1590 West Ridge Road, Rochester, NY 14615 866-395-9204 Hydroponic Garden Centers Inc 146 49 Horace Harding Exp Rushing NY 11367 718 762 8880 LiquidSun of New York 1702 Fiero ave Rotterdam, NY 12150 518-952-4654 Hydroponics Shops of America 2606 Erie Boulevard, Syracuse, NY 13224 315-251-2516 _________________________

Sunlight Solutions Hydroponics 2045 Niagara Falls Blvd, Suite 13 Niagara Falls, NY 14304 888-GROWBOX Crossroads Hydroponics and Organics 181 South Plank Road (Route 52) Newburgh, NY 12550 845-561-4769 KG Garden Supply 4575 Commercial Drive New Hartford, NY 13413 877-KG-HYDRO The Grow Room 8 Bridge Street, Nyack, NY 10960 800-449-9630 Revolution Hydroponics 309 West State St. Olean NY 14760 716-373-GROW (4769) Mor Gro Hydroponics 5680 State Route 104 E Oswego , NY 13126 315-877-8725 Environmental Gardens 8 John Walsh Boulevard, Suite 310 Peekskills, NY 10566 800-254-0507; 914-736-6676 Harvest Moon Hydroponics Henrietta Townline Plaza, 3047 West Henrietta Road, Rochester, NY 14623 716-865-7353 ________________________

Hydro Garden Center 1069B Lyell Avenue, Rochester, NY 14606 1-800-277-1322 ________________________

Maximum Yield Usa | June 2013

Miami Valley Hydro 8220 N. Dixie Dr. Dayton OH 45414 937-280-4468

Progressive Gardens 6005 Oleander Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403 910-395-1156

Garden Connections 3341 Centerpoint Dr. Grove City OH 43123 614-871-0707

LiquidSun East 12 Bay St, Unit 105 Wilmington MA 01887 978-447-5442

Advanced Hydrorganics Indoor Garden Center 5204 Darrow Road, Hudson, OH 44236 234-380-1287

OHIO Akron Garden Center 434 W Wilbeth Road, Akron, OH 44314 330-724-2700

Sweet Greens 5540 Brecksville Road Independence, OH 44131 800-421-7084 _________________________

Summit Hydroponics 1030 Kenmore Boulevard Akron, OH 44314-2114 330-753-5222 Green Zone Hydroponics 2148 Niagara Falls Blvd.

Tonawanda, NY. 14150 716-693-9663 _________________________ Green Zone Hydroponics 2928 Southwestern Blvd Orchard Park NY 14127 716-677-9663 _________________________ Harvest Moon Hydroponics 147 Fourth Street, Troy, NY 10960 Follow The S un 1185 B Yonkers Ave Yonkers, N.Y 10704 914-237-2760

The Green Box 495 9th Avenue NY NY 10018 212 967 4777 thegreenboxhydro.com _________________________

New Age Gardens 2236A US Highway 70, Swannanoa, NC 28778 828-299-9989

NORTH CAROLINA Advanced Hydroponic Garden 55 Shiloh Road #6 Asheville, NC 28803 1-828-277-3488 Fifth Season Gardening Company 21 B Westside Dr. Asheville NC 28806 828-225-5007 Fifth Season Gardening Company 45 Banks Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801 828-253-4112 Fifth Season Gardening Company 106 South Greensboro Street, Carrboro, NC 27510 919-932-7600 ________________________

BWGS-NC 4045 Perimeter West Drive,Suite 400, Charlotte, NC 28214 800-316-1306 ________________________

High Tech Garden Supply 2712 B Freedom Drive Charlotte, NC 28208 704-697-0911 ________________________ Flow & Grow Hydroponics & Organic Garden Center 4521 Cumberland Road, Fayetteville, NC 28306 910-423-FLOW (3569)

Hydro House of Ohio 2234 South Union Ave. Alliance, MI 44601 330-680-4014 _________________________

Purely Hydroponic, LLC 1507 Lear Industrial Pkwy.

Avon, OH 44011 866-787-5060 _________________________ Campbells Indoor Gardening Supplies 1721 Greenville Road Bristolville, OH 44402 330-889-0049 Magic Home Gardens 209 Cemetery Road, Canal Winchester, OH 43110 614-837-2440 ________________________

CincyPonics 3314 Harrison Ave. Cincinnati, Ohio 45211 513-661-3886 ________________________ Dumont Seed Co. 619 30th ST. N.W. Canton, ohio 44709 330-492-0204 Dayton Hydroponics 4920 Provident Drive Cincinnati, Ohio 45246 513-942-7111 Eastside Hydroponics 834 Ohio Pike #318 Cincinnati, Ohio 45245 513-528-4769 Kissed by the Sun Hydroponic 10740 Reading Road, Cincinnati, OH 45241 513-769-0159 Cleveland Garden Center Inc. 727 East 185th Street, Cleveland, OH 44119 216-481-7868 Grow W izard, The 5700 Denison Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44102 216-961-2500

Fifth Season Gardening Company 1616 D-3 Battleground Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27408 336-271-3373

Herb-N-Garden Center 14901 Puritas Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44135 216-252-2001

Good Harvest Garden Center 629 Oakridge Farm Hwy. Mooresville NC 28115 704-658-9136

Garden Indoors of Ohio 4720 Indianola Avenue, Columbus, OH 43214 800-833-6868

Fifth Season Gardening Company 5619-A Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27606 919-852-4747

Magic Home Garden 4538 Indianola Avenue, Columbus, OH 43214 614-263-2440

Hydro Gardens Wholesale 1144 N Memorial Drive Lancaster, OH 43130 855-210-5599 _________________________ Carefree Garden Center 134 West Drive, Lodi, OH 44254 330-302-4203 CropKing 134 West Drive, Lodi, OH 44254 330-302-4203 USA Hydrogarden 7450 Industrial Pkwy, Ste. A Lorain, Ohio 44053 440-282-4880 The Grow Shop 165 Davids St. Marion OH 43302 740-223-7467 _________________________

Urban Gardens 671 E. Center Street Marion, OH 43302 740-375-2800 _________________________ Top Garden Products 8600 East Avenue Suite C. Mentor, OH 44060 440-290-8773 Green Garden Indoor Garden Center 1664 North Main St. N. Canton, OH 44720 330-494-1234 _________________________

Gardening-Indoor 5851 Youngstown-Warren Rd. Niles, OH 44446 USA 330-932-1023 _________________________ Pet Finatics LLC 3150 Navarre Ave Suite A Oregon, OH 43616 Indoor Gardens 1222 Hill Road, North, Pickerington, OH 43147 614-866-6065 _________________________

Trinity Hydro Organics 465 Woodman Drive Riverside, OH 45431 937-252-GROW _________________________

Hot Hydro ® 855 S. Holland-Sylvania Rd. #2 Toledo, Ohio 43615 419-866-1266

Rogue Silicates Inc. POB 21, Azalea, OR 97410 541-837-8590

Organic Garden Center 5215 Monroe St. Toledo OH 43623 419-517-8110

American Agriculture 9966 SW. Arctic Dr. Beaverton OR 97005 503-641-3500 _________________________

Toledo Hydroponics Ltd. 855 S. Holland-Sylvania Road, Suite 2 Toledo, OH 43615 877-893-0716 _________________________

Plant Lighting Hydroponics 2201-A Pinnacle Parkway Twinsburg, OH 44087 888-258-0670 _________________________ Greenleaf Hydroponics 1805 Elm Road, Warren, OH 44483 330-372-1039 Dayton Hydroponics 3856 Miamisburg-Centerville Road, West Carrolton, OH 45449 937-859-3999 _________________________

B.I.G.S. 35 NW Bond Bend, OR 97701 541-385-5222 _________________________ Northern Light & Garden 9290 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway, Beaverton, OR 97005 503-297-7331 Westcoast Organic & Hydroponic Supply 12410 SE 282nd Avenue, Unit C Boring, OR 97009 503-512-7710 The Good Earth Organics 30088 Redwood Highway, Cave Junction, OR 97523 541-592-4496 Anthony’s Garden & Light Supply 93779 B Troy Lane, Coos Bay, OR 97420 541-266-8822

Gardening-Indoor 9215 Market St. Youngstown (North Lima) OH 44452 330-758-0272 _________________________ Indoor Garden Worx 304 West Monroe Street.

Zanesville, OH 43701 866-900-9679

Corvallis Hydroponics & Organics 5490 SW Philomath Boulevard, Corvallis, OR 97333 541-738-2820 Emerald Valley Gardens Inc. 88680 McVay Hwy. Corvallis, OR 97405 541-636-3763 _________________________

OKLAHOMA Tulsa County Hydro-Organics 1928 W. Albany, Broken Arrow, OK 74012 918-259-HYDRO AAAAHA! Hydroponics Unlimited P.O. Box 74, Oakhurst, OK 74050 Organics OKC Garden Supply 2800 N Pennsylvania Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73107 405-528-GROW The OKC Urban Gardener 3711 N. Western Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73118 405-521-9300 Urban Garden 3141 E. 15th Street, Tulsa, OK 74104 918-289-0018 The Mad Farmer Tulsa LLC 11630 E. 51st Tulsa OK 74146 918-615-3735

OREGON Indoor Hydroponic Garden & Lights 5990 SW 185th Ave. Aloha, OR 97006 503-848-3335 _________________________

Aqua Serene 465 Applegate Way, Ashland, OR 97520 541-482-7600 _________________________ Astoria Indoor Garden Supply 1343 Duane St. Unit C Astoria OR 97103 503-468-0606

Aqua Serene 2836 W. 11th Avenue, Eugene, OR 97402 541-302-9073 _________________________

Aurora Innovations PO Box 22041, Eugene, OR 97402 866-376-8578 _________________________ Vital Organics Northwest 457 River Ave. Eugene, OR 97404 541-688-0028 Oregon’s Constant Gardener 2385 West 11th Eugene OR 97402 541-636-4220 Advanced Indoor Gardens 17831 se 82nd drive Gladstone, OR 97027 503-305-6341

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Oregon Rainforest Co. 19949 E. Burnside Street, Gresham, OR 97233 503-465-9909 _________________________

Healthy Harvest Indoor Garden Suite #1, 1635 SE Tualatin Valley Hwy., Hillsboro, OR 97123 503-640-0995 _________________________ Gorge Garden Center 1203 12th St Ste. H Hood River OR 97031 541-386-4769 _________________________

In & Out Gardens 93484 Hwy 99 South Junctin City OR 97448 541-234-2342 _________________________ Basin Indoor Gardening 417 N. Spring St. Klamath Falls, OR 97601 541-273-2023 Green Zone Garden Center & Hydroponic Supplies 1845 S W Hwy. 101 Ste. 3 Lincoln, OR 97367 541-994-7070 Green Thumb H ydrogarden & Organic Supply 2021 West Main Street, Medford, OR 97501 541-779-8600 Growing Crazy (Hooked On Hydroponics) 817 W. 2nd Street, Medford, OR 97501 _______________________

In & Out Gardens 1574 Skypark Drive Medford, OR 97501 541-858-3333 _________________________ Ladybug Indoor Gardens 3960 W. Main Street, Medford, OR 97501 541-618-4459 Advanced Organics & Garden Supply 290- B Merlin Avenue Merlin, Oregon 97532 541-659-1466 _________________________

Northern Light & Garden 1203 Rogue River Highway, Grants Pass, OR 97527 541-474-1700 Paradise Supply LLC 560 NE. “F” Street, Unit C, Grand Pass, OR 97526 541-955-7293 Redwood Nursery 1303 Redwood Ave. Grants Pass OR 97527 541-474-2642 Vital Organix 932-B SE “M” Street Grants Pass, OR 97526 541-226-9283

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Gorilla Garden Supply 2011 Union Ave, North Bend, OR 97459 541-756-5005 _________________________ Green Garden Indoor Garden Center 1664 North Main St. N. Canton, OH 44720 330-494-1234

Green Zone Garden Center & Hydroponic Supplies 454 S.W. Coast Hwy Newport OR 97365 USA 541-265-8252

Northern Light & Garden Salem 1915 Lancester Drive, Salem, OR 97305 503-364-4769 Moonshine Park Farm 135 South East 62nd, Unit F South Beach, OR 97366 541-444-2298 Oregon’s Constant Gardener 2053 Laura St. Springfield OR 97477 541-747-8170

Indoor Garden Depot 3260 SE Oak Grove Blvd., Oak Grove, OR 97267-1421 503-786-2445

J-N-B Hydro 2 Go 155 West Central Avenue, Sutherlin, OR 97479 541-459-9211

All About Hydroponics 633 Claude Rd. Ontario, OR 98914 208-731-9823

Rogue Farmers 1007 S.Pacific Hwy. Talent, OR 97540 541-512-4600

American Agriculture 9220 SE Stark St. Portland OR 97216 800-433-6805

Samurai Greenhouse Supply 32067 Old Hwy. 34 Tanget, OR 97389 541-928-3431

Bloom Garden Supply 518 NE 20th Ave. Portland, OR 97232 971-255-1336 _________________________

BWGS-OR 18201 NE Portal Way, Ste. 104 Portland, OR 97230 888-316-1306 _________________________ Cascade Horticulture 19959 E. Burnside Portland OR 97233 503-661-1700 Everybody’s Garden Center 2701 SE 14th Avenue, Portland, OR 97202 800-669-5483 Garden S pout, The 4532 South East 63rd Avenue, Portland, OR 97206 503-788-4769 Indoor Hydroponic Garden & Lights 1409 SE 82nd Ave. Portland, OR 97216 503-445-2250 Jantzen Beach Hydroponics 909 N. Tomahawk Island Dr., Suite 103, Portland, OR 97217 503-546-3185 Lights Distributing 9843 SW 55th Avenue, Portland, OR 97219

Grow America Garden Supply LLC 11511 SW Pacific Highway, Tigard, OR 97223 503-841-6868 Portland Hydroponics & Organics 11564 SW Pacific Highway Tigard, OR 97223 503-746-4303 Pharmer Hydroponics 11135 SW Industrial Way Bldg 10-4 Tualatin, OR 97062 503-486-5751

PENNSYLVANIA Pocono Hydroponic Solutions 25 Route 611 Bartonsville, PA 18321 570-730-4544 Green Solutions Hydroponics 1700 Orange Street Berwick, PA 18603 570-752-1530 Garden Indoors of Pennsylvania 208 Route 13, Bristol, PA 19007 800-227-4567 422 GROW 1775 North Main Street Extension Butler, PA 16001-1327 724-561-3777 ________________________

High Tech Garden Supply 20232 Route 19, Unit 6, Cranberry Twp., PA 16066 724-473-1113 ________________________

Rain or Shine 13126 NE Airport Way, Portland, OR 97230 503-255-1981

Home Hydroponics of Pittsburgh 830 Route 119, Greensburg, PA 15601 724-836-1118

Roots Garden Supply 5426 North Gay Avenue, Portland, OR 97217 503-285-4768 Urban Flora 2865 South East, Portland, OR 97214 503-236-3344 BIGS Warehouse 2606 SW 4th Street, Unit B Redmond, OR 97756 541-504-8886

Wizard’s Garden, LLC 621 Spruce Street, Unit C, Myrtle Point, OR 97458 541-572-2333 _________________________

Indoor Garden Center 1697 SE 25th Street, Salem, OR 97302 503-566-7888

Indoor Garden Supply 536 SW 6th Street (rear alley), Redmond, OR 97756 541-504-7750 DC Hydroponics & Organics 7275 Green Siding Rd. Roseburg, OR 97471 541-679-3700 Roseburg Hydroponics 853 SE Stephens Street, Roseburg, OR 97470 541-229-1420

Buds to Blooms Garden and Supply Co., LLC 509 Orchard Avenue Kennett Square, PA 19348 610-388-0100 _________________________

The Companion Plant 363 E. Main St Kutztown, PA 19530 610-683-9676 _________________________ Flairform PO 1417, Lansdale, PA 19446 215-395-6353

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MAXiMuM YiELD distributors _________________________

PA Hydroponics & Home Gardening Supply 20 Quaker Church Road, York Springs, PA 17372 717-528-4175

Retail Stores listed alphabetically by city in each state.

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RHODE ISLAND RH Distribution PO 1417, Lansdale, PA 19446 888-545-8112 _________________________ Esbenshades Greenhouses 546A East 28th Div Hwy Lititz Pa 17543 717-626-7007 Hydro Ponics of Harrisburg 310 South 10th Street, Lemoyne, PA 17043 877-684-3808 Always Green Garden Supply 4400 Old William Penn Hwy Ste. 106 Monroeville PA 15146 412-646-1243

Oakworld Garden Center 39 West Street, Barrington, RI 02806 401-245-5705 Solar Seed Hydroponics, Inc. 2406 Putman Pike, Chepachet, RI 02814 401-710-9010 Organically Grown 768 Atwood Ave Cranston, RI 02920 401-944-0549 GrowRI 184 Admiral Kalbfus Road Newport, RI 02840 401-619-0776

New Stanton Hydro 150 Post Ave. New Stanton, PA. 15672 724-635-0297

Hydro-Earth 1243 Mineral Springs Avenue, North Providence, RI 02904 401-305-5520

Hydrofarm East 270 Canal Road Fairless Hills, PA 19030 888-780-4567

The Organic Grow Hut 375 Putnam Pike- Ste 13 Smithfield, RI 02828 401-349-4141 _________________________

The Companion Plant 363 E. Main St Kutztown, PA 19530 610-683-9676

All Seasons Indoor & Outdoor Supplies 1350 Hwy. 501 Business, Store 3&4 Conway, SC 29526 843-347-9266 _________________________ Green Thumb Unique Gardening & More 1230 Rutherford Road, Greenville, SC 29609 864-271-8830

SOUTH DAKOTA

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Green Earth Products Inc. 5700 Highway 79 S.,Unit 1, Rapid City, SD 57702 605-342-1307 _________________________

TENNESSEE Innovative Hydroponic Supply Inc. 3286 North Park Blvd. Unit G Alcoa TN 37701 865-984-0280 _________________________

Esbenshades Greenhouses 546A East 28th Div Hwy Lititz Pa 17543 717-626-7007 Full Bloom Hydroponics 84 South 24th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203 888-872-3602 _________________________

Good To Grow 51 Old Tower Hill Road, Wakefield, RI 02879 401-783-1733 _________________________ Grow With Us 709 Warwick Ave. Warwick RI 02888 401-270-6998

Gardening-Indoor 20550 Rt. #19 Cranberry Twp. Pitsburgh PA 16066 724-591-8086 _________________________ Home Hydroponics of Pittsburgh 2008 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412-232-7030 Healthy Gardens and Supply 1008 Lincoln Avenue, Prospect Park, PA 19076 866-32-HYDRO Northeast Hydroponics & Homebrewing 221 Scranton Carbondale Hwy. Scranton PA 18508 570-209-7924 Full Time Garden Supply 1011 Ritner Highway Shippensburg PA.17257 717-477-0350

Mother Nature Hydroponics 1268 Post Rd. Warwick RI 02888 401-780-0600 GrowRI 105 Franklin street Unit # 38 Westerly, RI 02891 401-596-0904 _________________________

Good To Grow 34 Nooseneck Hill Road, West Greenwich, RI 02817 401-392-3100 _________________________

Home Hydroponics of Pittsburgh 9 North Main St. Washington, PA 15301 724-222-0200

Growin’ Crazy 93 Kingston Road Wyoming, Rhode Island 02898 401-284-0810

Western Pennsylvania Innovative Gardening 1177 Pittsburgh Road, Suite 103 Valencia, PA 16059 724-903-0800

SOUTH CAROLINA

Organic Garden Center 1307 Park Ave. Williamsport, PA 17701 570-322-3120 _________________________

National Garden Wholesale/ Sunlight Supply 450 Grim Lane, York,PA 17406 877-779-7111(Northeast) _________________________

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Atlantis Hydroponics 1800 Rossville Avenue, #3, Chattanooga, TN 37408 423-752-5400 Advanced Hydroponic Garden 783 French Mill Road, Dandridge, TN 37725 800-521-1643 Perpetual Harvest 75 Riverport Drive, Jackson, TN 38301 877-422-3391 Advanced Hydroponic Garden 6912 Clinton Highway, Knoxville, TN 37921 866-938-3318 Sun City Hydroponics 2235 Whitten Road, Suite 104, Memphis, TN 38133 901-372-8100 _________________________

National Garden Wholesale/ Sunlight Supply 126 Belinda Parkway, Mt. Juliet, TN 37122 888-265-9005 _______________________ All Seasons Gardening and Brewing Supply Co. 924 8th Avenue, South, Nashville, TN 37203 800-790-2188 _________________________

GreenSpirit Hydrogarden 1864 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29405 843-225-1GRO Skyes the Limit 455 B Fleming Rd. Charleston, SC 29412 843-566-2121 247 Garden Supply 535 D Clemson Road, Columbia, SC 29229 803-788-4445 The Urban Garden Hydroponics 9557 Two Notch Rd. Ste. E Columbia, SC 29223 803-788-9313

Maximum Yield Usa | June 2013

Worm’s Way Tennessee 901 Main Street, Nashville, TN 37072 800-397-4153 _________________________

TEXAS Abundant Harvest Hydroponics & Organics 3101 Avenue E East, Arlington, TX 76011 817-649-0100

Brite Ideas Hydroponics & Organics 4201 South Congress Ave. Suite 310 Austin, TX 78745 512-444-2100 Texas Hydroponics & Organics (Central Austin) 5605 Burnet Rd. Austin, Tx 78756 512-459-4769 Texas Hydroponics & Organics (South Austin) 2125-A Goodrich Avenue, Austin, TX 78704 512-440-4769 Texas Hydroponics & Organics (Deep Ellum) 2715 Main Street.

Dallas, TX 75226 214-745-4769 Third Coast Horticulture Supplies 2715 Main Street, Dallas, TX 75226 512-459-4353 Jolly Green Hydroponics (Greenhouse Horticultural Supplies) 13628 Neutron Road, Dallas, TX 75244 866-WE-JOLLY; 469-341-5555 Lone Star Hydroponics & Organics 1302 Motor Circle, Dallas, TX 75207 214-634-9376 Texas Hydroponics & Organics (Dallas) 2606 Manana Dr Dallas, TX 75220 214-744-4769 _________________________

Brite Ideas Hydroponics & Organics 5121 Crest Way Dr., Ste. 203 San Antonio, TX 78239 210-248-9309 _________________________

Sol Organics & Hydroponics 1634 Babcock Road, San Antonio, TX 78229 210-366-9082 _________________________ Texas Hydroponics & Organics (San Antonio) 3412 Copeland.

San Antonio, TX 78219 210-226-4769 Texas Hydroponics & Organics (San Antonio West) 6729 Bandera Rd. San Antonio, TX 78238 210-684-4769 Innergrow Hydroponics 24451 Interstate Highway 20, Wills Point, TX 75169 866-475-4769

UTAH Wasatch Hydroponics 4050 South Howick, Suite 11E, Salt Lake City, Utah 84107 801-716-4133

VERMONT Greenthumb - Vermont 394 Route 15, Jericho, VT 05465 802-899-4323

Organic Garden & Feed

3801 N Interstate Hwy 35, Ste 126 Denton Texas 76207

940-381-9890 _________________________ Earth Organics 1360 Lee Trevino Drive,Suite 105 El Paso, TX 79936 915-591-9500 Texas Hydroponics & Organics (Ft. Worth) 2501 Airport Frwy.

Ft.Worth, TX 76111 817-834-4769 Hydrofarm Central 950 Avenue S Grand Prairie, TX 75050-1133 800-634-9999 Botani Garden 15120 Bellaire Blvd Houston, TX 77083 281-575-1999 Houston Discount Hydroponics 9380 Richmond Avenue, Houston, TX 77063 713-464-9406 Hydroponic Nation 9001 Frey Road Houston TX 77034 713-943-1115 Progressive Garden 3582 W T.C. Jester Blvd Houston, TX 77018 713-681-7764 Texas Hydroponics & Organics (Houston) 2420 Rusk St, Houston, TX 77003 713-641-4769 Ultimate Hydroponic Garden Supply 6125 W. Sam Houston Pkwy. N. #206 Houston, TX 77041 713-856-8425 Texas Growers Supply 5990 N. Sam Houston Pkwy. E. #602, Humble, TX 77396 281-441-3739 Hydro Mart 3841 Main Street, Rowlett, TX 75088 972-475-6114

Peak Hydroponic Garden Supplies 20 School Street, Plainfield, VT 05667 802-454-8000 LiquidSun® VT 1 Bellows Falls Road, (Route 5 North) Putney, VT 05158 802-387-1100 Green Thumb Ga rdening P.O. Box 235, Route 15, Underhill, VT 5489 800-564-9376

VIRGINIA Fifth Season Gardening Co. 900 Preston Ave. Charlottesville VA 22903 434-293-2332 Clean & Green Technologies 196 Corning Drive, Christiansburg, VA 24073 866-694-1628 Maryland Hydroponics 1061 West Broad Street Falls Church, VA 866-324-9376 Lucky Roots 612 North Sheppard St. Richmond, VA 23221 804-377-3020 Blue Ridge Hydroponics & Home Brewing Company 5327 D Williamson Road Roanoke, VA 24012 540-265-2483 Inside-Out Garden Supply 6517 Backlick Road, Springfield, VA 22150, 703-451-3259 I Love Hydroponics 368 Newtown Road, #105, Virginia Beach, VA 23462 757-490-5425 Hydroponics & Growlights 13400 Occoquan Road, Woodbridge, VA 22191 703-490-0700

WEST VIRGINIA Panhandle Hydroculture 800 East Moler Ave. Martinsburg, WV 25401 304-240-7587

Mountaineer Gardening and Hydroponics 258 Kingwood St. Morgantown WV 26505 304-290-2460 Almost Heaven Hydroponics 3476 University Ave., Morgantown, WV 26505 304-598-5911

WASHINGTON AJ’s Indoor Gardening 1317 Summit St. Aberdeen, WA 98520 360-533-1170 _________________________

Island Horticulture S upply 8608 S March Point Rd. Anacortes WA 98221 360-293-0000 _________________________ Mike’s Indoor Garden Supply 6121 172nd Street NE #A, Arlington, WA 98223 360-474-1900 _________________________

Pro Grow Horticulture Supplies 3411 169th Pl. N.E. Ste. C Arlington, WA 98223 360-925-6358 _________________________ Belfair Garden & Lighting 24090 NE State Route 3 #F Belfair,WA 98528 360-275-2130 Green Gardens Distributing 12738 Bel-Red Road, Bellevue, WA 98005 425-454-5731 In Bloom 2119 Lincoln Street Bellingham WA 98225 360-778-1668 Northern Lights Gardening 4159 Hannegan Road, Bellingham, WA 98225 360-715-8585 _________________________

Indoor Gardening 111 W.Main Centralia, WA 98531 360-807-4259

Go-N-Green Hydroponics 1241 State Ave Suite #102 Marysville, WA 98270 360-386-8230

Northwest Horticulture Supply 161 Hooker Road, #1, Sequim, WA 98057 360-582-0702

Grow Center, The 615 South Fir DeerPark WA 99006 509-276-GROW

Green Acres Indoor Garden & Lighting 514 State Ave, Suite #102 Marysville, WA 98270 360-658-GROW (4769)

SnoGro Indoor Gardening Supply 502 Maple Ave. Snohomish, WA 98290 360-863-6935

Cascadia Garden Supply 188 A St. Eastsound WA 98245 360-376-6040 _________________________

Indoor Tropics 801 N. Prospect Ellensburg WA 98926 509-933-4441 _________________________ Healthy Grow Indoor Garden Supplies 10 SE Everett Mall Way Suite B Everett WA 98208 425-374-2227 Indoor Garden Depot 8630 Evergreen Way, Suite B Everett, WA 98208 425-347-0700 Indoor Garden Depot 1401 S. 324th Street, Federal Way, WA 98003 253-874-1112 Fife Indoor Garden Center 1422 54th Ave. E. Fife, WA 98424 253-922-5352 Good 2 Gro 3507 W Clearwater Ave. Kennewick, WA 99336 509-737-1313 Hefty Harvest Garden & Hydroponic Supply 2825 Marvin Road NE Ste M Lacey, WA 98516 360-628-8964 _________________________

Indoor Garden & Lighting 714 South Central Avenue, Kent, WA 98032 253-373-9060 _________________________

Island Hydroponic & Supplies 1515 5th Street #B, Marysville, WA 98271 425-299-5855 Mike’s Indoor Garden Supply 1204 East Wheeler Road, Moses Lake, WA 98837 509-766-5856 M & R Lighting 17238 Memorial Drive, Mt. Vernon, WA 98273 360-848-1080 Northern Lights Gardening 1524 Riverside Dr #2 Mt. Vernon, WA 98273 360-982-2217 ________________________

Indoor Garden & Lighting 8606 Preston Fall City Rd. SE Preston WA 98050 425-222-9661 ________________________ Linda’s Gardening & Hydroponics 11522 Canyon Road East, Puyallup, WA 98373 253-531-9641

Renton Indoor Garden Center 329 Wells Ave. S., Renton WA 98057 425-917-9000 Eco Enterprises 1240 NE 175th Street, #B Shoreline, WA 98155 800-426-6937 ________________________

Grogro Hydro 12403 NE. 124th Street, Kirkland, WA 98034 888-7-GROGRO; 425-820-6200 _________________________

Liquid Sunshine Hydroponics 5087 Lincoln Road, Blaine, WA 98230 Kitsap Garden & Lighting 2130 6th Street, Bremerton, WA 98312 360-377-1277 M & R Lighting Unit C 22914 Highway 410, Buckley, WA 98390 360-707-5999 ________________________

Island Horticulture Supply 1500 Port Dr., Burlington, WA 98233 360-707-5999 _________________________

Indoor Tropics 5930 Sunburst Lane #B Cashmere, WA 98815 509-470-7782 _________________________

Aqua Serene 3839 Stone Way North, Seattle, WA 98103 206-547-GROW (4769) ________________________ Grogro Hydro 12316 32nd AVE NE #103 Seattle, WA 98125

KP Indoor Garden Store 8912 Key Peninsula HWY N Lakebay, WA 98349 253-884-SURE (7873) ________________________

Hydro-Tech 2121 Aurora Avenue, North Seattle, WA 98103 206-547-2202 ________________________

InDoor Gardening 1158 Commerce Longview WA, 98632 360-353-3851 Indoor Gardening 5718 Pacific Ave. Lacey WA 00000 360-338-0676 ________________________

Indoor Garden & Lighting 20505 Highway 99,, Lynnwood, WA 98036 425-673-2755 _________________________

Artificial Sun Hydroponics 3506 Summitview Ave. Yakima WA 98902 509-823-4026

WISCONSIN

Grow Center, The 2808 W Sprague Spokane WA 99202 509-456-GROW

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River City Hydroponics 1514 East Francis Avenue, Spokane, WA 99208 509-464-0246

Aric’s Indoor Garden Supply 1104 West Wisconsin Avenue, Appleton, WI 54914 920-574-3258 _________________________

Rootz Indoor Garden Supply 923 E. Hoffman Spokane, WA 99207 509-443-5999 _______________________

Spokane Organic & Hydroponic Supply 4823 East Sprague Avenue E., Spokane Valley, WA 99212 509-534-4055 ________________________ Spokane Organic & Hydroponic Supply 8701 North Division Suite D Spokane Valley, WA 509-468-4800 ________________________

Grow BIG Hydroponics 954 S. Westland, Appleton, WI 54914 920-749-4769 H2oGrow 1150 Madison rd Beloit WI 53511 608-289-1852 Brew and Grow 285 N. Janacek Road, Brookfield, WI 53045 262-789-0555 Sustainable Growth LLC 218 N Dewey St. Eau Claire WI 54703 715-901-0511 Spread Eagle Garden Center 4413 N. Lake Road South Florence, WI 54121 715-696-3910

Purple Spring Horticulture Supply 711 Nesses Corner Rd. Pt.Hadlock WA 98339-9411 360-344-2500

Kent Garden Supplies Ltd. 18817 East Valley Highway, Kent, WA 98032 425-251-9299 North West Hydro Supply 5659 Guide Meridian St. Bellingham, WA 98226 360-778-3254 _________________________

509 Grow 2718 N Division Spokane, WA 99207 509-327-GROW(4769)

Indoor Garden Supply LLC 1250 Atlantic Ave, Woodland, WA 98674 360-841-8055

Waterworks Hydroponics 5039 S. Washington Tacoma, WA 98409 • 253-301-4343 waterworkshydro@hotmail.com ________________________ Garden City Hydroponics 14103 Pacific Ave., S. Tacoma WA 98444 253-301-3985 _______________________

Garden Supply Guys 752 Memorial Drive - Suite A Green Bay, WI 54303 920-857-9493 Hydro Your O wn 8501-75th Street, Unit C Kenosha, WI 53142 262 697 6112 Brew and Grow 3317 Agriculture Drive, Madison, WI 53716 608-226-8910 _________________________

Indoor Garden & Lighting 3839 6th Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98406 253-761-7478 ________________________ Solar Shop 306 West 4th Street, Tonasket, WA 98855 509-486-4508 Indoor Garden Depot 6400 NE Highway 99, Suite H, Vancouver, WA 98665 360-993-7779 ________________________

Seattle’s Hydro Spot 917 NW 49th St. Seattle, WA 98107 206-784-2161 ________________________

National Garden Wholesale/ Sunlight Supply 4525 NW Fruit Valley Road, Vancouver, WA 98660 888-478-6544 (Northwest) ___________________________

Sodo Hydro 1727 1st Ave. South, Seattle, WA 98134 206-682-9377; 888-90-HYDRO (904-9376) __________________________

National Garden Wholesale/ Sunlight Supply 5408 NE 88th Street, Building A, Vancouver, WA 98665 888-478-6544 _________________________

Paradigm Gardens 4501 Helgesen Drive, Madison, WI 53718 608-241-3800 _________________________ Brew and Grow 2246 Bluemound Road Ste. B Waukesha, WI 53186 262-717-0666

PUERTO RICO

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Tecno-Hydro Ave Campo Rico GJ17, PO Box 1450 Carolina, PR 00982 787-752-8252 _________________________

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COMING UP NEXT ISSUE

Too HoT To Grow summer is fully upon us, and you know what that means: heat, and lots of it. long-time Maximum Yield contributor Dr. lynette morgan takes a look how these high temperatures affect our growrooms and greenhouses.

HorMonal SupercHarGe looking for a way to make your garden even better? Why not look into using products that stimulate or supplement particular plant hormones?

GrowInG pSYcHoloGY the grower of some record-breaking yields shares some of his motivational tips on how to just get out there and get gardening. it’s a little bit like any exercise regime, it takes patience and persistence.

www.maximumyield.com Maximum Yield Usa July will be available next month for free at select indoor gardening retail stores across the country and on maximumyield.com subscriptions are available at maximumyield.com/subscriptions

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