Technology and the Environment - UK64

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CANNA RHIZOTONIC

At CANNA Research, we are continuously testing our products in order to make improvements. In May 2024, RHIZOTONIC will be getting an upgrade! When using the improved product you will experience increased effectiveness and tank stability. The shelf life has doubled from one to two years and you no longer need to worry about raised pH levels in your tank when applying the product. For growers, who were using RHIZOTONIC before, rest assured you will not need to change the way you use it and you can still expect exceptional results from your plants.

“I can not believe what a huge difference such a small dose makes”

Cali Touch is like a natural supercharger for plants, especially the flowering plants that we love. Think of triacontanol as a key that unlocks the plant’s full potential. Once it interacts with the plant, it activates a cascade of responses. Imagine giving your plants a tiny, magic boost that helps them grow stronger, produce more flowers, and become more potent.

Its stable carrier ensures consistent uptake, ultra-fine filtration enhances purity, and a proprietary thickening agent provides molecular-level coating for maximum absorption...

...this is what Cali Touch does

APPLICATION RATES:

For best results introduce Cali Touch to your plants a week before the flowering stage and cut off usage 10 days before harvest.

2ml/100L (0.2ml/10L) Add to your feeding regiment once weekly in drain to waste systems (potted plants).

2ml/100L (0.2ml/10L) Add with every reservoir change.

FOREWORD CREDITS

Mastering gardening requires understanding nature and using technology to control what we can’t. It’s a delicate balance, but this edition has a couple of must-reads to help you on this quest. Some of our articles offer expert growing advice and may even transform how you tend your gardens.

The first is “Mastering Moisture in Living Soil” by Gareth Hopcroft. Let me begin by saying how happy we are to have Gareth writing for Garden Culture. He shares a wealth of information that will help you grow better. Have you ever heard of a tensiometer? I admit that I had never heard of one. However, Gareth’s article demonstrates how even the most basic tech can be of service in the garden. I now have a better understanding of how to water my plants.

The second is “VPD vs EC: The Tug of War That Changed the Way I Grow” by Everest Fernandez, another writer who warrants the moniker of “Gardening Guru.” This article can benefit gardeners of all experience levels, especially those trying to push their plants to their limits.

If these two articles aren’t enough, we are lucky to feature Colin Bell, PhD, inventor of a revolutionary microbiological inoculant that has taken the industry by storm. Please get to know him a little better

SPECIAL THANKS TO:

Adam Clarke, Anne Gibson, Catherine Sherriffs, Colin Bell, Everest Fernandez, Gareth Hopcroft, Jennifer Cole, Regi Oneton, Xavi Kief, and the crew at HyJo.

PRESIDENT

Eric Coulombe eric@gardenculturemagazine.com +1-514-233-1539

VICE PRESIDENT

Celia Sayers celia@gardenculturemagazine.com +1-514-754-1539

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Catherine Sherriffs

cat@gardenculturemagazine.com

DESIGN

Job Hugenholtz job@gardenculturemagazine.com

INTEGRATED SALES & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Haley Nagasaki Haley@gardenculturemagazine.com +1 (604) 401-7209

DIGITAL & SOCIAL MARKETING

social@gardenculturemagazine.com

ads@gardenculturemagazine.com

Mille-Isles GardenCultureMagazine.com

ISSN 2562-3540 (Print) · ISSN 2562-3559 (Online) published six times a year, both in print and online.

DISTRIBUTION PARTNERS

Creation Wholesale

• Highlight Horticultur e • HydroGarden

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be retrieval system or transmitted electronic, electrostatic, photocopying or otherwise, without prior permission in writing from 325 Media Inc.

Colin Bell

When you read one of Colin Bell’s articles in our magazine, you know you’re about to learn something about what makes plants tick. Colin is brilliant; he completed his PhD in Soil Microbial Ecology in 2009 and is VP of US Business Development at MIIM Horticulture. He’s published numerous academic papers on enhancing plant growth and is really good at making his Garden Culture articles relatable and easy to understand for growers of all experience levels. He’s this edition’s Author Spotlight, so we also just found out he’s a beast and is working towards doing 12,000 pushups this year!

What excites you the most about the cultivation industry right now?

The indoor cultivation industry is buzzing with innovation, and what excites me most is the convergence of technology and sustainability. Automation and AI-driven systems optimise everything from light cycles to nutrient delivery with precision. There are many opportunities for groups that will embrace these emerging technologies, allowing them to stay extra competitive during turbulent market conditions.

What’s your favourite plant to grow?

As a graduate student and research scientist, I spent a decade working as an arid-system microbial ecologist in the Chihuahuan desert. My favourite plants to grow are Agave murpheyi (agave) and Opuntia ellisiana (spineless prickly pear). I like them because they are super resilient, easy to care for, and cool-looking.

Do you have a preferred growing method or technique that you think we should all try?

If I had to pick one thing, I would say (being a microbiologist) that using microbial biostimulants is an effective way to enhance plant growth naturally. However, I don’t have a preferred growing method and enjoy trying new things. If you ever want to try a fun experiment, try growing the same type of plant in different conditions, like different soil mixes and/or microclimate conditions (varying sun availability, etc.). It is amazing to see how the same plant will respond very differently in various conditions.

Would you prefer to travel back in time or into the future?

I would go back in time, no question. Let’s run it back (to the 1970’s).

What do you love to do outside of work?

During my happiest moments outside work, I am working on accomplishing personal goals and projects. I love gardening, doing construction projects, and working out. I have several personal goals this year. One of them is 12,000 pushups—I hit 9,335 by the end of April, so I will crush that goal!

What’s your favourite kind of music?

I like rap, rock, and classical music. 3

Are you interested in writing for Garden Culture Magazine?

We’d love to hear from you! Send us an email introducing yourself with a sample of your work

editor@gardenculturemagazine.com

Since 1994

Time and time again, both reps and customers say the same thing — once growers try HY-GEN, they tend to stick with it.

Once HY-GEN, Always HY-GEN

feed your soil for healthy plants

Breaks down organic matter Increases plant resistance

Unleash Your Grow with BudBox PRO XXL Plus

Transform indoor gardening with the BudBox PRO XXL Plus 150x300x200cm Grow Tent – the ultimate choice for serious growers! Engineered with massive 25mm tempered steel poles, lightproof double-stitched canvas, and 20% oversized vents for superior airflow, this PRO delivers unmatched strength and durability.The white interior maximises PAR reflectivity, boosting plant growth and yields. Featuring a green viewing window, dual access doors, and a strong drip tray, it’s designed for convenience and performance.

Elevate your harvest game – choose BudBox, the UK’s award-winning grow tent.

Gorilla

18” Metal Wall Fan

Featuring three adjustable speed settings and an oscillating function to evenly distribute air, making sure every corner of your grow space benefits from consistent airflow, this 60W fan is built to last.

The Gorilla Wall Fan is easy to install and operate. Its aluminium blades are designed for improved efficiency, and the 1.5m power lead offers added convenience and versatility in setup. Ideal for growers of any level, this fan is a wise choice for anyone looking to improve their plant’s environment and help prevent the buildup of humidity and heat.

Exclusively available from Highlight Horticulture

SUPERThrive

A Super Concentrated and Versatile Tool in Every Grow Setup

The world-renowned benefits of SUPERthrive need no introduction to those who use it; those who don’t miss out on a super concentrated plant tonic and growth promoter second to none.Tried and tested, use SUPERthrive on any plant at any stage of growth or flower.

• Treat seeds/seedlings during the germination and establishment phase to get an earlier vegetable and flower crop.

• Revive sick plants or help plants recover from any stress.

• Produce dramatically healthier plants and help to guard against transplant shock.

Distributed by HydroGarden. Ask your local store for some today!

Vitalize.

More than just Silica

Mills’ patent-protected mono-silicic acid, Vitalize, promotes plant vigour throughout the entire grow cycle. Vitalize contains a water-soluble, biologically active silica your plants use within 24-36 hours of application. Formulated to make your plants healthier, heartier, and more resistant to stress, Vitalize can be used as a root soak or foliar spray to improve growth and yield, increase nutrient uptake, and improve pathogen and stress resistance.

For best results, use alongside Mills Basis A&B in conjunction with the Mills Six Bottle System.

Visit GrowWithMills.co.uk for more information.

Maxibright Quantum PAR Meter

Take the guesswork out of lighting with the Maxibright Quantum PAR Meter a portable, easy-to-use tool for measuring Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR).

With a wide range (0–3999 μmol/m²/sec) and ±1 μmol/m²/sec repeatability, it delivers accurate data to help growers optimise light placement and output. Ideal for comparing LEDs, validating manufacturer claims, or fine-tuning setups, it’s suited to both hobbyists and commercial users.

Including a tripodcompatible sensor and data logging features, it’s a reliable way to measure what truly matters—the light your plants can use.

Exclusively available from Highlight Horticulture

VGN fertilisers are the result of transforming plant waste into solutions for your plants. With these liquid fertilisers, you nourish the plants while supporting beneficial soil micro-organisms. VGN products are also certified for organic farming by Control Union.

• VGN 5-2-2: Nitrogen for greener, healthier plants.

• VGN 2-2-4: Potassium for stronger, more robust plants.

• VGN 1-4-4: Phosphorus & Potassium for rich flowering.

• VGN CALMAG: VEGANIC calcium & magnesium supplement.

Combine and adapt them to the needs of your plant!

Find the VGN line soon in your favourite store! Visit atami.com/vgn for more info.

EcoThrive Soil Food

Soil Food is the key to maintaining the health and fertility of your living soil.This premium range of organic top-dress powder amendments consists of three specially crafted organic blends: Soil Food Grow for lush vegetative growth, Soil Food Bloom for explosive flowering and Soil Food Re-Gen to restore soil between crops.

Packed with essential nutrients and microbial stimulants, Soil Food nourishes your soil so plants thrive naturally. Designed to complement Ecothrive Living Soil but compatible with other organic soil mixes.

Top-dress, water in, and never stop growing. Available now in 1kg and 5kg bags at EcoThrive.co.uk

OPTIMISE YIELDS, CUT COSTS WITH QUEST CLIMATE

For growers, energy efficiency and precise climate management are key to maximising yields and reducing costs. Quest Climate delivers high-performance, energy-efficient, and reliable dehumidifiers in various sizes tailored to indoor agriculture. With the capacity to remove up to 335 litres of moisture per day (at 26.7°C / 60% RH conditions), Quest dehumidifiers operate with industry-leading efficiency, reducing energy consumption while maintaining the perfect environment for your crops. Powered by patented M-CoRR™ Technology and trusted by growers worldwide, Quest dehumidifiers are the smart choice for those looking to increase yields, cut costs, and elevate their operations.

MaxiLED Under Canopy LED from Maxibright

As growers continue to adopt LED technology, the need for innovative and versatile lighting solutions has grown. Maxibright’s MaxiLED Under-Canopy LEDs deliver high-output, energyefficient light that enhances overall grow room performance.

These under-canopy LEDs target lower canopy sections of the plant that typically receive less light in traditional setups. Featuring a tailored Blue and Red spectrum, they drive photosynthesis in shaded areas, promoting robust growth, increased yields, and superior crop quality.

Compact, waterproof, and designed for seamless integration, MaxiLED Under-Canopy LEDs ensure uniform light distribution to lower plant sections.Their easy installation and durable design make them a practical addition to any indoor garden.

Exclusively available from Highlight Horticulture

Discover the Rastafarian Organic essence with Coco·Kaya

The perfect choice for pure growth and joy!

Unlock your plants’ lush potential with Coco•Kaya, a premium coconut substrate meticulously crafted to foster vibrant growth.This aerated medium excels at moisture retention and allows your plants to thrive both indoors and outdoors.

The harmonious blend of cocos, peat, perlite, and fertilisers makes Coco•Kaya the perfect substrate for delivering an optimal environment for cultivating flavourful flowers, tasty veggies, and aromatic herbs.

Coco·Kaya will enable all types of growers to elevate their gardening experience and nurture the well-being of their plants.

Invest in the health of your plants today with Coco·Kaya by Juju Royal Julian Marley, powered by Biobizz!

Learn more: Biobizz.com/Rastorganic

HY-GEN COCO STARTER PACK

HY-GEN’s COCO STARTER PACK includes everything you need to get started!

• 1L COCOGROW A & 1L COCOGROW B nutrients

• 1L COCOBLOOM A & 1L COCOBLOOM B nutrients

• 1L BUDLINK silica

• 500ml supplements: NITRO-K & PK TOP UP

• 500ml organic boosters: OMEGAZYME, HUMIBOOSTA & SEA ESSENTIALS

• 2kg compressed cocopeat that expands to 30L

• 1 pH Test Kit to help you keep your nutrients on track

• HY-GEN Product Guide and feeding schedule

Take your grow to the next level and find out why HY-GEN has been Australia’s nutrient of choice for nearly 30 years. Once HY-GEN, always HY-GEN

Visit Hy-GenNutrients.com or Contact Global Air Supplies to find your nearest stockist.

LUMii 150W SwitchBlade LED

Maximum Flexibility at the Flick of a Switch

VitaLink Turbo+

Initiate flower development, boost growth, buffer stress, and support top-quality yields.

VitaLink Turbo+ is a unique and versatile flowering stimulant that uses natural extracts and plant hormones to boost plant metabolism. Through clever use of chelating agents, L-amino acids, and key B vitamins, Turbo+ allows plants to use water and nutrients more effectively.

• Betaines increase the ability of the plant to take up water and nutrients

• Oligosaccharides support plant growth and metabolism and provide a source of carbon

• Brassinosteroids and gibberellins induce flowers and promote growth and the elongation of cells and abscisic acids, helping the plant conserve water during stress.

Use VitaLink Turbo+ at 1ml/L two weeks before and throughout flowering. For tried-and-tested results, use in conjunction with VitaLink Hydro MAX Bloom.

Exclusively available from HydroGarden. Contact HydroGarden technical support or visit VitaLink.eu for more info.

Start Your Seedlings Right with Gold Label Dry Plugs!

The team at Gold Label is proud to present the new dry plugs, conveniently packaged in trays of 77 and 104. Designed for ease and efficiency in seed propagation, these plugs are the perfect starting point for your gardening success.

Gold Label Dry Plugs are formulated to provide a perfect balance of aeration and moisture retention, a critical factor in the early stages of root development.

The LUMii SwitchBlade 150W LED is an all-in-one LED solution offering variable dual-spectrum output, maximising flexibility to suit your situation. This flexible and efficient LED is versatile in small to medium spaces.

Dual spectrum: VEG & BLOOM in one device: VEG BLOOM

Power 100W / 150W 100W / 150W

Output 2.5 μmol/J 2.6 μmol/J

• 2-stage output: 100W or 150W at the touch of a button

• Daisy chain ready with up to 4 units can be controlled in series

• Fully controllable via 0- 10v controllers (compatible with great value XLED controllers)

NEW and exclusively available from HydroGarden. Contact your local store for more information today.

Made from sustainable coco coir, these plugs are an environmentally friendly choice that minimises your carbon footprint while providing your plants with a natural growing medium.

Check out GoldLabel.nl/products/plugs for more details.

Product Details

> 1000W Power

> Single channel - Full spectrum

> 10 bar system

> Ideal over a 1.5 x 1.5m area

> Built in dimmer

> 25% - 50% - 75% - 100% power

> Enhanced flowering with added red light

> Uniform light coverage

> Energy efficient, low heat output

> No fans or moving parts, silent running

> Easy one person set up

> 30’000 hour lifespan

> 3m power lead, plug and play

> Control multiple units with link cables

Spectral Graph

Technical Specifications

Product Code: 48891

Efficiency: 2.8 μmol/J @ 230 V AC

PPF (Photosynthetic Photon Flux): 2800 μmol/s

Diodes: White: SAMSUNG Red: San’an

Diode Quantity: 4800 White | 240 Red

LED Bars: 10

Dimensions: 1140 x 1185 x 69 mm

Light Distribution: 120°

Footprint: 1.5 x 1.5m

Dimming: Dimmer (on board) OFF-25-50-75-100%

Light Spectrum: Full Spectrum

CCT (Correlated Colour Temperature): 3418 K

Input Power: 1000W @ 230 V AC

Input Voltage: 220-240V AC 50/60 Hz

Power Factor: 0.98

Net Weight: 14.5kg

Lifetime: 30’000 hours

Environmental and Safety

IP Rating: IP65

Warranty: 2 years

Certifications: CE, UKCA, EMC, LVD

by Terra Aquatica

Feed your soil for healthy plants with TrikoLogic® and StreptoLogic®, two powerful blends of beneficial microorganisms. TrikoLogic® , based on Trichoderma fungi, boosts root development, improves nutrient uptake, and helps break down organic matter, making nutrients more available. StreptoLogic® contains Streptomyces bacteria that protect roots from harmful fungi and bacteria, promoting a rich, living substrate. As temperatures rise, pathogens become more active now is the perfect time for a preventive treatment. Strengthen your plants naturally and support long-term soil health for vigorous, resilient growth.

Check out TerraAquatica.com for more info.

Gorilla Propagation LED Range

The Gorilla Propagation LED Range delivers reliable, energy-efficient lighting for seedlings, cuttings, and early-stage plants. Available in 60cm (12W), 90cm (18W), and 120cm (24W) sizes, these lights provide a balanced blue spectrum to encourage strong root development and compact growth.Whether working with a small propagation tent or scaling up to larger grow racks, Gorilla LEDs offer practical, no-fuss solutions to get your plants off to a solid start.

Designed with growers in mind, these lightweight LED strips can be daisychained together, making them easy to customise for setups of any size. Power leads are sold separately, so you only need one per chain, saving you money when linking multiple strips. Built to perform without driving up running costs, Gorilla Propagation LEDs are a reliable choice for budget-conscious growers who need lighting that works.

Hyjo is a go-to shop for indoor gardening enthusiasts who want to offer only the best to their plants. From lighting, nutrients, and additives to plant media, complete hydroponics systems, and bonsai (yes, bonsai!), Hyjo has it all. Customers have nothing but good things to say about this spot; Google reviews give it five stars for its wellstocked shelves and excellent, friendly customer service. We invited store owner Marino into the confession booth to tell us how Hyjo makes it work.

How long have you been in business, and where is the shop located?

We’ve been an indoor garden centre for almost 15 years, proudly serving the community from our location in Tottenham, North London.

What has been the toughest thing to deal with over the past year?

The toughest challenge over the past year has been the rising cost of products while recommended retail prices continue to fall. With shops constantly competing for customers by undercutting each other, profit margins have been pushed to barely sustainable!

How have you diversified your business?

We’ve always sold bonsai here at Hyjo, but over time, we’ve expanded our collection to around 700 trees, which led to the creation of Miyagi Bonsai. Through Miyagi Bonsai, we combine our bonsai and horticultural expertise to support and promote the art of bonsai, offering not just beautiful trees but also the knowledge and care that go with them.

What advice would you give to other shop owners thinking about diversification?

Diversifying your business isn’t easy — it’s like taking on a new job. My advice is to diversify into something you genuinely enjoy, even as a hobby. That way, the extra work feels more rewarding, and you’re more likely to stay committed through the challenges.

What are your favourite plants to grow?

My favourite bonsai to grow is the Japanese White Pine. It’s a slow grower that demands patience when training and that’s the true beauty of bonsai — it’s a reminder that beautiful things take time.

What are some of your favourite products and why?

Figure 1

At Miyagi Bonsai, we use several products to care for and grow our trees. Oceana slow-release fertilisers are a key part of our routine. They come in formulas tailored to different stages of growth, helping us maintain healthy, balanced trees.

We also use Clonex to root cuttings from our high-end specimens, which allows us to propagate and begin wiring and shaping our unique bonsai from an early stage. To ensure the highest quality care, we use water filters to reduce hard water content, preventing mineral build-up and promoting strong, healthy root systems.

How has the market changed since you first opened your shop?

The market has changed a lot since we first opened, and various factors have influenced it. One of the biggest shifts came after Brexit, which made it more difficult and costly to trade goods across borders. More recently, the impact of COVID-19 caused a sharp rise in container and shipping costs, especially for products coming from China. These challenges have affected pricing, availability, and how we manage stock.

Do you sell online? How has that changed since you opened?

Yes, we have a website where we list all our products. Trading online definitely has its pros and cons. While it allows us to reach a wider audience, we’ve always taken pride in offering great service both online and in-store. Our goal is to ensure customers have a smooth, personal experience no matter how they choose to shop with us.

What marketing strategies have proven the most effective in attracting and retaining new customers?

Marketing strategies can vary depending on the type of business, but in our experience, the most effective approach is to explore all available platforms and see what works best for your audience. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, so testing different methods and tracking the results is key to finding what drives customer engagement and loyalty.

What role does customer education play in your business model?

Customer education plays a very important role in our business model. Many people come to us for advice on how to repot, wire, train, prune, and water their bonsai. We’re always happy to share our horticultural knowledge to help them care for their trees properly. Beyond bonsai, we also support customers with the care of other plants, including fruit and vegetables helping them grow confidently and succeed.

How do you see the market evolving, and how will your business adapt?

We see the market continuing to evolve toward more compact indoor gardening solutions especially in cities like London, where space is limited. Our business is well-suited to this trend, as we help people create dedicated indoor garden areas in apartments, as well as in homes with both large and small outdoor spaces. We aim to tailor our offerings to suit everyone’s needs and preferences. It’s all about bringing a peaceful, natural atmosphere into the home, and we’ll continue to adapt by providing products and guidance designed for modern urban living. 3

The Evolution of Biotechnology in Agriculture

From Ancient Practices to Precision Microbial Applications

Did you know that modern agriculture is the result of thousands of years of biotechnological innovation? From the first time humans planted seeds to the latest genetically engineered crops, biotechnology has been at the heart of agricultural progress. Today, agriculture is engineering success by turning to nature’s smallest workers

to create a more fruitful future — harnessing the power of soil microorganisms.”

Defining Agriculture Biotech

Agricultural biotechnology (shortened to “ag biotech”) is a subset of applied science that focuses on techniques to enhance plants, livestock, and microorganisms. It involves manipulating biological systems (often at the genetic or molecular level) to improve crop yields, plant resistance to pests and diseases, plant nutrient uptake, or adaptability to environmental stresses like drought or salinity. The most modern ag biotech methods incorporate plant genetic engineering (e.g., creating genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, with more desirable traits) and functionally target microbiomes into cropping systems to enhance plant phenotypic attributes. This article will take you through ag biotech’s history. It will spotlight microbial biotechnology’s transformative role in precision agriculture, focus on innovative microbiome applications for crop steering techniques, and explore emerging trends shaping a sustainable future.

Part 1: A Journey Through Time

Ancient Beginnings: The Dawn of Domestication

Our journey started around 10,000 BCE when our ancestors traded their nomadic ways for settled life. Farmers in Western Asia coaxed wild wheat into submission by picking the plumpest seeds to sow, while Mesoamerican farmers transformed wild grass into maise. These early innovators were biotech trailblazers without knowing it—using plant trait selection to sculpt crops for their survival and success. By 6000 BCE, we cracked the next biotechnology breakthrough: the secret of fermentation — microbes turned grains into beer and dough into bread, proving that even then, tiny organisms were major league game changers.

19th Century: Laying the Foundations

Fast forward to the 19th century, when science began to engage the mysteries of ag biotech even further. Gregor Mendel unravelled the mysteries of plant heredity by observing pea plants — planting the seeds of modern genetics and laying the groundwork that would become a cornerstone of ag biotech. Meanwhile, Louis Pasteur, peering through his microscopes, was decoding how microbes drive fermentation and fend off disease. These discoveries, like pasteurisation, didn’t just save milk—they set the stage for showing us how to harness the power of these invisible microscopic allies for agriculture.

20 th Century: The Green Revolution and Genetic Engineering

The 20 th century marked a turning point for the first major biotech revolution — “The Green Revolution”. Spearheaded by Norman Borlaug, high-yielding wheat and rice varieties were unleashed, averting catastrophic global famine, a momentous movement that fed billions. (Technical advances in synthetic chemistry also rose during this time. The mass production of fertilisers and pesticides, born from breakthroughs like the Haber-Bosch process, also helped to supercharge yields).

Then came the big boom — genetic engineering. Our improved understanding of DNA structure opened the door to molecular biology. This enabled precise plant-gene manipulation breeding (recombinant DNA in 1973) and the first genetically modified plant (in 1983). By 2000, genetically modified plant seeds were being shipped and grown across millions of hectares worldwide.

21st Century: The Era of Precision

The 21st century is defined by innovation and precision. With the development of CRISPR-Cas9 technologies (2012), genomics and marker-assisted breeding now far exceed the slower traditional plant breeding methodologies. Ag biotech innovations started focusing on the invisible power beneath the soil, where the magic of microbes began stealing the biotech spotlight, starring in leafy blockbusters and fruity epics that transformed plant growth and yields even further. More recent microbial innovations have focused on biofertiliser and pest control solutions that minimise agriculture’s inherent chemical dependencies. Ag biotech is currently at the forefront of expanding the boundaries of precision— by utilising Earth’s Tiny Titans.

What is Precision Agriculture?

In the high-stakes world of precision agriculture, every drop of water, every gram of fertiliser, and every microbe counts. Precision agriculture pushes the limits of performance and efficiency by delivering exactly what crops need when they need it. The purpose of precision is to maximise plant yields and crop quality while minimising waste and inefficiency. Microbial applications (bacteria, fungi, and others) are now at the core of this cutting-edge— the invisible link to supercharging plant growth.

These early innovators were biotech trailblazers without knowing it— using plant trait selection to sculpt crops for their survival and success

Part 2: Microbes - The Unsung Heroes of Precision Agriculture

Benefits of Microbial Biotechnology

The 21st century marks the era of the second “Green Revolution.” Farmers are harnessing the power of precision with functionally targeted microbial inoculants to steer crops toward bumper harvests. Microbial biotechnology in agriculture offers numerous benefits, such as enhancing plant resilience to environmental stress, promoting sustainable farming practices, improving nutrient efficiency and uptake, increasing yields, and helping plants achieve their full phenotypic potential. Earth’s microscopic powerhouses are now integrated into uber-sophisticated precision applications like crop steering.

How Exactly Do Microbes Support Crop Steering?

Crop steering is a precision agriculture technique that manipulates environmental and nutritional conditions to guide plants with precision throughout their growth stages—vegetative (leaf and stem growth) and generative (flower and fruit production). Crop steering is well known as one of the most innovative methods (for indoor cultivation in particular) for maximising plant yield and quality attributes. More recently, functionally targeted microbial inoculants have been incorporated into crop steering — crowning them as the natural allies to enhance plant performance with precision because of their ideal abilities to influence key plant growth processes at every stage.

Early root-growth enhancements are driven by auxin-producing plant growth-promoting bacterium (PGPB), which act like personal trainers for roots—pumping out phytohormones with precision. This function alone enables up to 40% increased root growth (more surface area), allowing plants to effectively absorb and allocate important nutrients like fine-tuned pumps, building the foundation to support subsequent growth phases for higher yields.

Precision microbial applications can enhance aboveground plant biomass during the vegetative phase by maximising photosynthetic capacity, increasing plant nutrient uptake, and improving hormonal regulation. Microbial benefits during flowering can increase flower density and quality, supporting higher fruit/flower yields by improving hormonal and nutrient balance and through Induced Systemic Resistance (ISR)—introducing specific stress elicitors into the rhizosphere that trigger a myriad of plant defence responses.

Rhizobium root nodules on the roots of a soybeans for nitrogen fixation.

Nature’s Defense and Quality Mechanism:

Induced Systemic Resistance

Microbes don’t just work solo—they are part of a soil symphony. Microbes are the invisible underground army, boosting nutrient uptake, fending off diseases, and even helping plants shrug off stress. Induced Systemic Resistance (ISR) is one pathway that microbes use to communicate with plants by using elicitors and signalling pathways to trigger plant defence responses. Microbial elicitor molecules (siderophores, lipopeptides, and volatile organic compounds) exuded into the rhizosphere —priming plant defence mechanisms without requiring constant energy use — allowing plants to maximise energy on growth. Microbe-associated hormonal interactions also serve to regulate specific plant growth factors. The broad-spectrum resistance against fungi, bacteria, viruses, and insects is like a natural microbial-mediated vaccine, which can reduce plant disease incidence (by 30-60%) while maximising plant productivity and quality metrics.

Tailoring Microbial Applications for Crop Growth

Here is a table summarising aspects of how precision agriculture strategically utilises the magic of microbes to support crop steering:

Impact

Bacilli –GlomeromycetesProteobacteria

AlphaproteobacteriaBacilli

GammaproteobacteriaSordariomycetes

Bacilli –BetaproteobacteriaGammaproteobacteria

Overall Impact: Microbial benefits enhance rooting, vegetative, generative, and stress resilience phases by optimising nutrient uptake and hormonal balance. Key

20-40% increases in root surface area

15-20% biomass increase - boost leaf and stem growth

10-15% yield boost, support fruiting and flowering

Prime plants for stress/ quality response

microbes are stepping up as our greatest allies

Part 3: The Future is Microbial

As we stand on the cusp of a new era in 2025, microbial biotechnology is lighting the way toward an abundant, sustainable, food-secure future. With a global population projected to hit nine billion by 2050 and imminent change and uncertainties throwing curveballs at farmers, microbes are stepping up as our greatest allies. From drought-resistant crops to carbon-sequestering soils, today’s trends are revolutionary. These tiny organisms are not just helping us grow more food; they are also helping us grow smarter and more resilient than ever before.

One exciting trend is the development of drought-resistant crops engineered with microbial help to thrive in parched regions, ensuring food security where water is scarce. Another is enhanced soil microbiomes, where farmers steer microbial communities to boost soil health and sequester carbon—potentially enhancing soil fertility across billions of hectares of agricultural land. Biopesticides, like those using the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis, are also surging, making up 5% of the pesticide market with over 1400 distinct products globally and reducing synthetic chemical reliance.

Precision farming’s microbial makeover continues to evolve, with AI and sensors guiding targeted inoculant applications for maximum efficiency. And then there’s genetically engineered microbes, like nitrogen-fixing bacteria (Azotobacter mutants) or supercharged Pseudomonas strains engineered for biopesticide production, to pave the way for a next-level wave of sustainability solutions. These advances promise yield increases, healthier ecosystems, and crops that stand tall against climate variability. Yet, there is still much public scepticism about GMOs and concerns about the balance of these innovations.

BIO Colin Bell is VP of US Business Development at MIIM Horticulture. He has worked as a PhD Research Scientist in Federal and Academic institutions for years. He builds businesses, develops products, and grows brands for indoor cultivation. Reach out: colin@miimhort.com

Here is a table capturing these trends and their benefits:

Trend

DroughtResistant Crops

Enhanced Soil Microbiomes

Biopesticides and Biocontrol

Precision Farming with Microbes

Genetically Engineered Microbes

Conclusion

Description

Biotech-developed crops thriving in arid conditions

Enhancing plant health and performance

Microbial-mediated pest and disease control

Integrating inoculants with AI and sensors

Nutrient fixation and stress tolerance

Benefits

Enhanced food production (arid regions)

Improved fertility and productivity

Lower chemical use and environmental impact

Optimised efficiency

Enhanced sustainability, crop resilience

From ancient agriculture fields to today’s cutting-edge cultivation practices, ag biotech has always been about harnessing nature’s power to feed humanity. Today, microbes are the stars of this saga, revolutionising precision agriculture, enhancing nutrient uptake, protecting plants, and steering crops to new heights of productivity and sustainability. As we face a future of continued uncertainty, these tiny heroes offer hope—boosting yields, healing soils, and future-proofing farms with resilience. There are no shortages of challenges, such as inconsistent field performance, efficacy, and regional barriers to overcome due to soil pH or other conditions. However, as we look beyond, biotech promises to address global ag challenges like drought-resistant crops —with microbes leading the charge. This story of biotech is far from over — but as we embrace these innovations, let’s ensure they are sparking a beneficial harvest for all. The future is microscopic— and it is cultivating solutions for a better world. 3

Potatoes are a staple in our gardens; luckily, you don’t need much space to grow them! Here’s a guide to building potato towers, ideal for urban gardeners. Find this growing guide and many more at GCMag.co

Growing Spuds

a Space-Saving Potato Tower

Potato towers are a great way to grow more potatoes in limited space!

Ilove potatoes, but growing rows of them is not an option in my small garden. An average plant can be up to three feet tall and one foot wide, which is a lot of real estate in a tiny urban garden. Then I learned about potato towers. They are the perfect solution for my potato cravings and small garden.

What are potato towers?

Generally, potato towers are 2 to 4 feet tall and are cylindrical structures made of chicken wire filled with soil. The idea is that the potatoes will form all along the stem as they grow up the tower. This saves space and eliminates hilling, a technique in which soil is continually piled up around the base of a plant to promote growth.

What do I need to build a potato tower?

The first thing you need for a potato tower is a location in full sun with easy access to water. Next, buy some seed potatoes from a reputable nursery. The best varieties for a potato tower area are mid- to late-season potatoes specific to your region. Next, you will need wire fencing or chicken wire, zip ties, straw (not hay!), garden soil mixed with compost, pliers, and a shovel. Most towers are three or four feet tall.

How to build a potato tower

Form a circle with the fencing and secure the ends with zip ties. You can also twist the wires together to form a cylinder that is 18 inches (46 cm.) across. Secure the tower to the ground with tent pegs or tie it to a structure such as a fence. If left free-standing, it can blow over in the wind, and you’ll have to start over again.

Planting the potato tower

Cut the seed potato into pieces with two to three sprouting eyes (chits) on each piece. Add a bottom layer of straw, followed by soil, and lay the first layer of potatoes on top of the soil around the tower’s edges, spacing them 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm) apart with the chits pointing towards the wire fencing. The layers between the potato plantings should be at least a foot to a foot and a half. Water the layer until moist but not saturated, and repeat the process until you reach about 4 inches (10 cm.) from the top of the tower.

Potatoes are a staple in our gardens; luckily, you don’t need much space to grow them!

Watering your potato tower

Water the tower from the top for the surface layers. Ensure the bottom layers are moist, and stick the hose’s sides. Always check the soil before watering, cause the new baby potatoes to rot.

Harvesting from the potato tower

As the growing season progresses, you will potatoes slowly making their way out of the side of the towers. This is a sure sign that potatoes are growing in your bottom layers. When the tops of the potatoes start to die

The easiest way to harvest the potatoes is to tip the whole tower over, cut the frame, and sift through the out.3

Digging Deeper Digging Deeper

“Thou shalt not till.”

Back in 2015, the no-till gardening movement struck a chord with me. The idea of better soil health, less effort, and letting nature do the heavy lifting was hard to resist. Creating a mini indoor ecosystem felt like the future—especially the part where you just leave it the f**k alone and let it all work!

Yeah—nice idea. But after a decade of soil testing, grow trials, and directly supporting growers, I’ve learned that no-till cultivation indoors is anything but a simple, hands-off approach. There’s nuance here—especially when working with high-organic-matter mixes that behave very differently to outdoor soils.

Let’s talk practicalities.

What No-Till Indoors Actually Means

Thou shalt not till. That’s right—no-till, in principle, means never disturbing the soil. You add organic inputs by top-dressing and leave everything else to the soil food web. Low-till, on the other hand, involves lightly remixing the upper soil layer— usually the top eight to ten inches—between cycles. In practice, most growers blur these lines. They might call it “no-till” but end up scratching in amendments or removing old root balls. And you know what? That’s fine. I’ve come to believe that some light disturbance—done with purpose—can actually improve soil health, not harm it.

Our Soil Isn’t Soil

Here’s something that’s often overlooked: indoor “living soil” isn’t proper soil. Real soil is mostly mineral—sand, silt, clay—and contains 3–5% organic matter. What we’re growing in indoors is more like a compost-based potting mix: often 70–80% organic. That changes everything.

These high-organic substrates break down over time, compact more easily, and behave more like a growing medium than a stable mineral soil. That distinction matters when deciding how hands-off your system really can be.

The Top-Dress Trap

No-till growers rely on top-dressing to feed the soil. It sounds simple, but here’s a common mistake: they calculate their amendment rate based on the entire volume of their bed, not just the top layer they’re feeding.

Let’s say you’ve got a 3x3 bed. It holds around ten cubic feet of soil. The label on your top dress product might say “1 cup per cubic foot,” so the grower adds ten cups. But really, top-dressing affects only the top six inches—about 4.5 cubic feet. That means you’re more than doubling the intended dose.

Over-fertilising this way leads to nutrient overload in the top layer, inviting microbial blooms and beneficial micro and macroarthropods like springtails and woodlice to become pests. Once populations explode, they can start feeding on roots

Top-dressing works—but it’s slow. Nutrients take time to move down through the profile

and stems, especially when easily digestible plant matter (like chopped defoliation) is left on the surface.

You can avoid these issues by top-dressing more conservatively, based on the top six inches only. But that also means you’ll need to do it more frequently, especially during heavy growth phases when plants are hungriest.

When Soil Goes Slack

One grower I worked with had been using the same no-till beds for two years. Halfway through one crop, the plants started leaning without much weight up top. A gentle wiggle revealed poor anchoring. When he finally pulled the root balls out, the soil underneath was sticky and dense—“like worm castings,” he said. It lacked structure and air pockets and had compacted over time despite being full of worms.

The fix? He removed the mulch, pulled out the root balls, and blended 5% pumice through the top ten inches. This minor remix restored structure, improved aeration, and allowed him to blend in fresh amendments deeper than a typical top dress. The next round of plants responded very well, with minimal transplant shock, better establishment and stronger growth.

That experience drove home a key lesson: sometimes, you need to feel your soil. A quick remix at the end of a cycle acts like a soil check-up—revealing compaction, dry spots and structural dynamics you’d otherwise miss.

Hardener, Ripener & PK Booster

“Dig in. Remix. Observe. Adjust. Your soil will thank you—and so will your plants.

Nutrient Uptake and the Early-Cycle Lag

Top-dressing works—but it’s slow. Nutrients take time to move down through the profile. In a low-demand setup, that’s fine. But in high-performance rooms—strong PPFD, CO2 , tight environmental control—plants need access to high levels of nutrients without interruption.

That’s where low-till shines. Blending dry amendments evenly into the upper 8 to 10 inches before planting creates a more balanced starting environment. I’ve helped growers turn things around simply by switching from top-dress-only to light till with an additional top-dress approach. The vegetative phase starts faster, root development improves, and issues like early yellowing or stunting disappear.

Too Much Life? When Nature Needs Limits

A big part of the no-till philosophy embraces biodiversity— worms, microbes, fungi, and insects working harmoniously. But indoors, that harmony can tip fast.

I’ve seen growers battle woodlice eating stems, springtails invading root zones, and rove beetles flying around the canopy. These creatures are mostly beneficial, but in unchecked numbers, they become pests. The root cause is usually overfeeding the mulch layer with soft, easily digested material like cover crops or defoliation waste.

Outdoors, predators keep populations balanced. Indoors, not so much. And no sane grower invites larger predators like frogs or hedgehogs into their grow rooms!

I’m not saying that you should abandon mulch entirely. Just be selective. If you have woodlouse, use woody mulches like oak chips rather than soft greens. And compost green waste elsewhere—don’t turn your soil bed into a buffet.

What About the Microbes?

Many growers fear tilling will ruin microbial life. But the truth is microbes are incredibly resilient. In mushroom cultivation, “break and shake” techniques speed up colonisation by spreading fungi. In soil, a light remix doesn’t destroy life—it redistributes it.

A

big part of the no-till philosophy embraces biodiversity—worms, microbes, fungi, and insects working harmoniously. But indoors, that harmony can tip fast.

Bacteria bounce back within hours. Fungi re-establish. And when you blend in organic amendments, you’re feeding biology in situ. Minor disturbances can increase microbial activity by creating fresh zones of nutrient availability.

Some no-tillers worry about disrupting fungal dominance. But fast-growing flowering plants do better in soils with a balanced bacteria-to-fungi ratio or even bacterial dominance. A perfect fungal web isn’t always the goal—it’s about what suits your plants.

Context Is Everything

Compaction and stratification are inevitable over time if you’re using a high-organic-matter mix. That’s not an inherent problem—it’s just how these systems evolve.

For new growers, start simple: a mulch layer, careful watering, and observation. But every cycle, take a moment to dig in. Remix the upper soil, reassess your top-dressing approach, and fix what needs fixing. It keeps the soil aerated, the nutrients balanced, and your connection with the system intact.

A Living System Deserves Living Thinking

My turning point was that grower with collapsing plants and compacted soil. That was the moment I stopped viewing no-till as a hard-and-fast commandment and started seeing low-till as a strategy or general guideline.

No-till has its place. But in indoor environments with evolving substrates, limited space, and demanding plants, I’ve found low-till to be more practical, forgiving, and, ultimately, more successful.

There’s nothing wrong with tweaking the system. I believe it’s an intelligent approach. Cultivating indoors already departs significantly from “natural”—we can just do our best to make it feel natural. That means staying connected. Dig in. Remix. Observe. Adjust. Your soil will thank you—and so will your plants. 3

BY XAVI KIEF

UX EXPERIENCE USER Growing

Since the 1980s, tech designers have used the shorthand term “UX” to describe “User Experience.” It encompasses the entire range of user interactions with the product, including how easily they can access it, their overall experience, and how they may be influenced by it.

Every extra hour accumulated doing something ‘the old way’ could be an hour of observation, administration, or (heaven forbid!) rest

Agriculture is an unavoidable part of life as we know it on our planet. Since humans have existed, we’ve been finding and multiplying available food and medicine. We’ve also created many other activities to engage ourselves in community, enjoy life, and explore our potential.

Curious animals, including humans, make tools and develop their own technologies for ensuring access to food and shelter — you only have to look at nesting birds, leafcutter bees, or dam-building beavers to find examples of that impulse at work.

With so much of humanity’s attention being pulled away from providing the simple necessities for ourselves and our communities, whether by choice or lack of access to resources, the systems and tools we use for cultivation need a UX upgrade.

A Multigenerational, Plural-Perspectives Approach

To be serious about making growing crops and stewarding the land attractive and profitable for people of all ages and abilities, incorporating Universal Design (UD, also called ‘Inclusive Design’) principles into modern cultivation UX is crucial.

When you’ve had a lot of experience as a grower, following the old adage, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” can be tempting. There’s something to be said for knowing that your system works well for you, and you’re the one who knows how to maintain it; you can pretty much pull it apart and put it back together again blindfolded!

In my local area, many people have been farming for decades, if not generations. Some of their ways of doing things just seem, well, harder than they have to be — and (in my mind) for no good reason! Every extra hour accumulated doing something ‘the old way’ could be an hour of observation, administration, or (heaven forbid!) rest.

I’m not accusing these landowners of being stubborn because their concerns about adopting precision agriculture techniques

stem from experience and are valid. I’ve heard from folks that they wouldn’t mind working with institutions and industry to run trials in their fields, but the equipment hasn’t been made user-friendly, and the extra administration is an unwanted complication and expense.

Thanks to this feedback, scientists have recently developed wireless pH sensors that biodegrade into plant-available nutrient sources (molybdenum and sulfur) in the field. The onboard electronics can be collected and reused. Organic photovoltaics provide the needed power.

Other new technologies use biodegradable paper sensors that can be scattered in fields, such as fertiliser. Rather than sending signals via radio frequency, these are observed with thermal imaging. Promising applications include sending real-time soil moisture data into AI, which could control irrigation systems and reduce water overuse. Similar configurations are being developed for microbial activity monitoring to support biocontrol applications and identify disease hotspots.

Many Hands, Hearts, and Minds Make Light Work

We can improve cultivation UX to improve accessibility and enable more people to contribute to food and medicine production. When the social and environmental realities of industrial food systems are exposed, for many, this becomes a moral imperative.

A false sense of food security was fostered by 20th-century resource-extraction-dependent agricultural techniques, such as those involving oil and gas, chemical fertilisers, and mineral mining. It is reinforced by economic disparities between places where crops are grown, where the workforce lives (i.e., seasonal labour programmes targeting climatically, economically, and politically unstable regions), and where the produce is consumed.

Food and medicine need to grow where the people who use them live, and helping this happen needs to be a rewarding experience. For those of us who do it, I think the overall consensus is that it can create radical changes in perspective and feelings of gratitude and connection.

Is it time for an update?

It encompasses the entire range of user interactions with the product, including how easily they can access it, their overall experience, and how they may be influenced by it

Tech Transcends Barriers to Self-Production

On the individual scale, improved UX enables growing for people of varying physical abilities.

Tools of Observation

Changes in eyesight, for example, are an accepted part of ageing. Vision deterioration is also a concern among younger generations, given the significant time spent looking at screens. Until recently, home growers often relied on jewellers’ loups or handheld mini-microscopes to magnify and inspect for insects, moulds, and ripeness.

Those options typically topped out at 100x magnification and relied on a person being able to press one eye up to a small lens. Now, inexpensive microscopes that can zoom up to 1000x, enough to see nematodes and bacteria, can connect to phones. The device’s screen offers a significantly improved viewing experience, facilitating close observation.

Furthermore, users can take photos and videos with these small scopes for reference when issues arise, improving outreach to experts or for comparison with image searches online. Collecting data like this can also support grant writing, provide clients/investors with information (e.g., relating to the cost-effectiveness of specific techniques or products), and enable visual documentation for record-keeping and research. Seeing such a small scale of life firsthand is a UX improvement that is also compelling to share with the community and feeds the imagination.

While we may not have reached commercialisation of the biodegradable sensors described above just yet, for the home grower, digital pH meters are now ready to replace fiddly liquid test kits and papers. Digital, numerical readings improve upon chemical tests that require good colour vision. These pen-style meters aren’t a novel technology, but until recently, the price point was a far greater limiting factor compared to those colour-based tools. Again, this improvement to UX hopefully means more soil growers will bother doing regular pH testing, learn how to customise soil blends and make nutrient solutions.

UX EXPERIENCE USER

More farms will be successfully transferred to younger generations when they are empowered with technologies that reduce some of the physical demands, guesswork, and time required for crop production

Sometimes, help from digital tools speeds up the learning curve for becoming familiar with the human-observable traits of natural farming and fermentation/SCOBY recipes. It’s another form of data that can supplement or replace a sensory perception deficit.

Grow Your Own? Precisely!

Some people love the simplicity and physicality of an unplugged farming style. Unfortunately, it seems that a narrowing population is well-suited to grind it out, particularly as the cost burden is not easily balanced with the rewards. Ageing people shouldn’t be forced out of agriculture, nor should folks who didn’t grow up in intimacy with the land be expected to have the same abilities and instincts.

More farms will be successfully transferred to younger generations when they are empowered with technologies that reduce some of the physical demands, guesswork, and time required for crop production. Fostering this connection leads to an improvement in the user experience of the finished crops themselves. When especially highly nutritious and diverse modern versions of heirloom fruits and vegetables, health-supporting mushrooms, are abundant, it’s a compelling way to encourage more people to get involved in cultivation. 3

References/Resources: uxmag.com/articles/accessibility-in-ux-the-case-for-radical-empathy

Rollo, A., Cameron, J., Diego, J., Cichocki, R., Synkiewicz-Musialska, B., Ren, J., Zhang, S., & Kettle, J. (2025). Hybrid Agricultural Monitoring System with Detachable, Biodegradable, and Printed pH Sensors with a Recyclable Wireless Sensor Network for Sustainable Sensor Systems. ACS Applied Electronic Materials. doi.org/10.1021/acsaelm.4c02141

Madhur Atreya, Desousa, S., John Baptist Kauzya, Williams, E., Hayes, A., Dikshit, K., Nielson, J., Palmgren, A., Khorchidian, S., Liu, S., Gopalakrishnan, A., Bihar, E., Bruns, C. J., Bardgett, R., Quinton, J. N., Davies, J., Neff, J. C., & Whiting, G. L. (2022). A Transient Printed Soil Decomposition Sensor Based on a Biopolymer Composite Conductor. Advanced Science, 10(5). doi.org/10.1002/advs.202205785

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Using Essential Tech Throughout the Grow for Best Possible Harvests

After a long winter, the thrill of spring can hit with a sense of limitless possibilities. Soon, the tasks start piling up, and our ambitions can easily add up to overwhelm us. With so much life bursting out from every corner, sometimes it’s all we can do to deal with what’s urgently in front of us.

Without establishing healthy habits and implementing essential tech in advance, harvest time can become a bottleneck for cultivators. Outdoor growers, especially, don’t always have the leisure to bring in their crops when and how they would prefer —nature has its ways of imposing deadlines. Making decisions early and putting the essential technology in place at each growing stage helps growers achieve high-quality and abundant yields.

Early Season: Selection, Number, and Size of Plants

To improve predictability, consider the choice of genetics, dedication of space, and plant architecture.

Gene Genie: What’s your wish?

At the turn of the 20 th century, some social activists advocated for “fewer, better children.” They argued that parents should have more conscious, empowered choices about their reproductive proliferation so they could concentrate their efforts on providing good lives for those under their care, not engineering toward one particular, supposedly superior “type.”

It’s an incredible gift to have access to seeds and plant nurseries. Folks work hard behind the scenes to develop and raise varieties that will suit each climate, taste, and growing style.

When it comes to harvest planning, the space-use difference between short and bushy versus long and lanky types, optimal planting dates, and days to maturity are key considerations.

There are two main timing options. Simultaneous sowing combined with a choice of varieties with different finishing windows (such as short-, medium-, and late-season potatoes) also allows for harvesting in stages, providing more time and space to process your crop.

On the flip side, making sure your plants all ripen within a few days of one another can simplify processing by stacking all the associated tasks together you cut down all the plants, remove the unwanted parts, clean them all, etc. This is better if you only want to set up for each job once and when you know you will have plenty of time, labour energy, and space to handle the whole harvest when the time is right.

When you’re cultivating fewer, better plants, it’s also about making selections well-suited to your goals. You want to find your best option for phytochemical profile (flavour, nutrient, and/or medicinal effect) and your ultimate post-harvest plans (a summer of nonstop cherry tomatoes vs. a year’s worth of jarred sauce).

Without establishing healthy habits and implementing essential tech in advance, harvest time can become a bottleneck for cultivators

Essential Tech:

• Biotech — high-quality starting materials (seeds/seedlings) and microbial inoculants

• Rooting tech rooting hormones/solutions, substrate/rooting blocks

• Temperature management tech heating mats, humidity domes, and, in some cases, cold frames and/or cloches to foster and protect vital young transplants.

Number, Size, and Shape

It can be tempting to grow everything, everywhere, all at once. Don’t let me stop you I love a wild, diverse, integrated garden. There’s no hard and fast rule for success regarding how close plants can be to one another in a mixed bed. I’ve been very lucky to have big kale plants provide frost protection for little bushes (evidenced by the lack of anthocyanin colouration in the sheltered ones). I’ve also had plants suffer the consequences of too much shading and not enough airflow it’s always a balance.

In both scenarios, I had the opportunity to play it a little fast and loose with those individuals because they were volunteers and spares, tucked into whatever space was available and mostly left to their own devices. I had some bigger, segregated plants under cultivation to depend on for my main harvest. This is the “fewer but better” group; “better,” in this case, means “better attended to by the human cultivator.”

Tidiness and ease of accessibility encourage frequent visits, making regular observation more pleasant and increasing the likelihood that you’ll discover any problems sooner rather than later.

Robust producers need sturdy, dependable support systems. A combination of fencing or netting and strong, well-anchored posts will save heartache and improve overall yield weight.

Remember that bigger, higher-quality root systems typically support bigger, higher-quality above-ground parts of plants. Prepare the desired number of containers (or space in dedicated raised beds or garden rows) with high-quality soil. Be mindful of their location, taking into account factors such as sunlight, wind, drainage, and ease of watering. Tidiness and ease of accessibility encourage frequent visits, making regular observation more pleasant and increasing the likelihood that you’ll discover any problems sooner rather than later.

When you’re cultivating fewer, better plants, it’s also about making selections well-suited to your goals.

Shaping your plants with intentional leaf and branch removal early will direct your plant to use its energy for growing more flowering sites in a concentrated space. At season end, you’ll have fewer sticks and stems and more of what you aim to consume.

Robust producers need sturdy, dependable support systems. A combination of fencing or netting and strong, well-anchored posts will save heartache and improve overall yield weight. By preventing collapses and stalk/limb breakage, both of which can also lead to mould and pest damage, ripening plants can safely pack on mass.

Essential Tech:

• Architectural tech reliable, right-sized containers; good supports; clean and sharp tools for trimming; and tie-downs for spreading branches to open canopies to sunlight and encourage horizontal growth.

Active Growth Period: Staying Healthy

Regardless of what you’re cultivating, a relatively low-stress life helps produce more consistent and abundant yields. Integrated pest management (IPM) on a schedule favours prevention over reaction.

Introduce beneficial microbes and re-up their numbers as part of your transplanting and feeding routine. These growth-promoting bacteria and fungi integrate into your plants’ natural immunity and nutrient-absorption capacity. Through a complex system of inter-species communication, their presence sparks natural processes that influence both the quality and quantity of harvests.

Visualise the timing of IPM applications and how they line up with the stages of your garden’s development, noting important dates like transplanting, training/trellising, and transitions between plant growth stages.

In parallel, chart the weeks you expect to be feeding for explosive vegetative youth, through the stretch and changing nutritional demands of the ‘teens’ into flowering and fruit-set at maturity in adulthood. This way, you can confidently anticipate changes in pest pressures — some critters are only dangerous while plants are still small, and others are especially damaging to flowers, fruits, or developing seeds.

Cleaning yourself, your clothes, your tools, and your workspaces is also worth scheduling. This is a sub-category of IPM and a reminder to practice good self-care. It’s a real bummer to catch a summer cold (or worse) because you got caught in the rain and didn’t have a spare cosy sweater to put on or enough hot water ready for a good shower. The same thing goes for taking spores and soil-dwelling pests on ridea-longs because you didn’t have a space-dedicated change of footwear or boot-cleaning station.

When plants are healthier during the active growing season, less time will be needed at harvest to inspect for and remove damaged parts.

Essential Tech:

• Planning tech a calendar, spreadsheet or app so you can glance to the next week or month and be prepared for upcoming tasks.

• IPM-related tech sprayers/misters, ingredients for the sprays you’re putting in them, magnifying glasses or microscopes, fresh sticky traps, and bags or bins to collect and remove unwanted materials to a safe place for remediation/destruction.

• Feeding-related tech nutrients, measuring spoons or cups, mixing containers, stir sticks, and watering cans or irrigation systems for fertigation; spreaders, shovels, or hand tools if topdressing.

• Cleanliness-related tech sanitisers, detergents, rags, buckets, brushes, rubber or nitrile gloves…you get the idea.

Air and people moving between active growing and processing areas can easily spread microbes, often due to disturbed soil

The Finish Line: Harvest, Processing, Storage

When it comes to harvest goals, it’s crucial to have a good idea of how much you will be able to handle when the time comes for processing. Dream big, so everything else is a welcome and manageable bonus if you meet your minimum targets.

As soon as something is picked from the garden, it’s starting to break down. The plant’s immune defences and the community of beneficials surrounding it are, for the most part, no longer in play. Over the years, I’ve seen too much good produce go to waste due to under-preparedness at the critical moment when fresh harvests need to be processed.

Assemble a kit or create gear checklists for various types of harvests and their corresponding processing methods. Remember to include enough collection containers to minimise squashing and allow some airflow to slow down decay.

A deep freezer can be a lifesaver for unexpected abundance; if you don’t have one, ask around and barter for some reserved subzero storage space. In advance, make arrangements within your network for ‘short-notice’ work parties. You might do this as early as pre-germination: “I’ll grow extra for you if you’ll commit to helping me when it’s ripe.”

Air and people moving between active growing and processing areas can easily spread microbes, often due to disturbed soil. To control quality, have a place prepared for safely staging freshly picked material while you clean or change clothes and tools. To reduce cross-contamination, it is ideally located somewhere you can approach from two different directions: one from the (dirty) garden and the other from the (clean) house or processing area.

using good tech throughout the season has hopefully led to a journey that was less fraught with anxiety for both you and your plants

Essential Tech:

• Water-reduction tech fans, dehumidifiers, and dehydrators for quick and even evaporation

• Processing Tech whichever specific equipment you use for cutting, extracting, infusing, etc.

• Storage tech containers (e.g. canning jars, vacuum-sealing bags, bins, lightproof cabinets), desiccant/ humidity regulating packets

Enjoying the Fruits - Give Yourself a Star!

When you’ve planned for harvest throughout the grow and produced aplenty, it’s a great feeling. Allow yourself to celebrate!

Of course, all the preparation in the world can only go so far; sometimes, we yield little more than hard lessons and experiential data to inform future decisions. Either way, using good tech throughout the season has hopefully led to a journey that was less fraught with anxiety for both you and your plants. 3

BIO Xavi Kief is a writer, (re)searcher, and lifelong learner with their hands in the dirt and imagination traversing the universe. Seeking always to deepen and integrate their connection with the living planet and its diverse inhabitants, Xavi finds joy by infusing their practical and playful approach to cultivation with a healthy dose of science. They grow food and medicine for their family and community on the northeast coast of Turtle Island. Instagram: @xavi_kief

Wired Vs. Wireless Wired Vs. Wireless and Their Place in Your Grow

At my automation company, Stratus Designs, we are often asked about the differences between wired and wireless sensors, the reasons behind our choices, and how we use them. We have developed some standard offerings and applications that utilise either sensor, explaining why we choose to do so. Not all wired and wireless sensors are created equal. We have standardised horticulture-based sensors for all our agricultural needs. Choosing the right option for your grow is essential; you must also select a high-quality, long-lasting sensor. At the beginning of my career, someone told me they were too poor to buy cheap tools. That saying also applies to buying sensors: spend the money on the right one, and you will not regret it.

Not all wired and wireless sensors are created equal

Why Select a Wired Sensor?

Wired sensors are the standard and, in general, the most reliable sensors when it comes to maintaining a connection and preventing data loss or control issues in your building. In general, wired sensors pull data as often as your BMS (building management system) requests it, and the data is always available. For this reason, we choose to use at least one wired sensor in almost all our applications. For example, in a grow room, we typically install at least five sensors for temperature and relative humidity. One of those sensors is always wired, just in case we ever experience a glitch in our wireless system. Wired sensors are typically quite accurate and have a reasonable price point. We recommend Greystone horticulture sensors as they are Canadian-made and have replaceable “pods.” These pods contain the sensor elements and are changeable. The sensor provides temperature, relative humidity (RH), and CO2 level readings. The pods are cost-effective and a great way to use the same sensor for years.

Are there any drawbacks to wired sensors? Users must pull a wire through the building and then return it to a central location, where it will be terminated to a control panel. The more wired sensors you have, the more expensive your system becomes, as you need more con -

trollers. This is one of the reasons we use minimal wired sensors. If money weren’t a concern, we would use more wired sensors than wireless ones.

Why Choose a Wireless Sensor?

I took a long time to warm up to wireless sensors, as my experience with them over the years had been poor. At this point, I recommend only one horticulture sensor brand: Aranet. They are a Latvian company offering excellent customer support in Canada and the United States. The reason we have standardised these sensors is because the wireless system is top-notch. The protocol used has been “borrowed” from their parent company, which designs advanced systems for the military. I have never experienced such good wireless range and access to sensors as on this platform. The beautiful thing about these sensors is they are also all IP67 rated, which means they are waterproof. When working with the crops, we have effectively no risk of damaging the sensor. Battery life is also incredibly long, and you can adjust the sampling rate. Aranet is the baseline; I don’t recommend any other wireless sensors I have used because there are too many walls and barriers.

Sensors Sensors

Wireless sensors often experience issues with dropping off your network, making it very difficult to control a grow room effectively. If you are averaging all five of your sensors in the room and two of them stop trans mitting the correct values, then your room may not be maintained in the right conditions. For this reason, it is vital to have a system that allows you to detect if a sensor is not reading correctly and remove it from your averaging control of the space. Wireless sensors are ideal for finding microclimates in your rooms and moving them around with ease. Implementing a wireless sensor array is also more straightforward and faster to install.

If it weren’t for the risk of going offline, I would use Aranet wireless sensors for all my growing needs. We have implemented them in outdoor, greenhouse and indoor growing environments. Wireless sensors can give you significantly more data points to manage and watch your grow without the need for a substantial install cost and implementation. Remember that every wireless system experiences network hiccups, so plan to include at least one wired sensor for added reliability. 3

Wireless sensors are ideal for finding microclimates in your rooms and moving them around with ease

BIO

Adam has provided planning and design services for cultivation and processing facilities over the last seven years with Stratus. His projects involve outdoor cultivation, indoor cultivation, drying, processing, extraction, storage, bottling and packaging, and more. Living on a hobby farm, Adam loves all plants, including flowers, vegetables, and microgreens, but is most passionate about hemp and is in awe of the fast-growing plant and all of the benefits it offers to humans and the environment alike.

Aranet wireless sensors

VPD EC vs

The Tug of War That Changed the Way I Grow

Let me tell you a story that genuinely scrambled my brain.

It was spring—British spring, mind you—so the kind that can’t decide if it wants to be chilly, damp, or both at once. I was chatting with a fellow grower named Jason, a very experienced chap with an annoyingly large greenhouse. We’re talking chillies—and he’s grown way more than I have. I’m admiring the health of his overwintered plants, and I ask him about his feeding regime.

“Yeah, I’ve been feeding them at 4.5 mS.” I nearly spat my tea. Four-point five?! I thought chillies—especially young ones—were light feeders! Seriously, I thought he’d lost the plot.

However, his plants were a testament to his wisdom. Glossy leaves, thick stems, zero stress.

Still, that number flabbergasted me. We chatted some more, and it turned out my thinking when it came to EC was a bit basic and isolated. In other words, EC is only half the recipe. VPD is the other half.

So let’s talk about this dynamic duo—VPD and EC —because understanding their little push-pull act changed everything about how I grow.

Water In, Water Out: The Root of It All

You probably already know this, but it bears repeating: plants are basically bags of water doing chemistry in sunlight Their entire life depends on a fluid logistics system— water coming in through the roots, evaporating out through the leaves, keeping them nice and cool, and—oh yeah—dragging nutrients along for the ride.

Now, two big players are in charge here:

• VPD (Vapour Pressure Deficit): the atmospheric demand for water. It pulls moisture out of the leaves.

• EC (Electrical Conductivity): the nutrient density of your root-zone solution. It pulls water and nutrients into the plant.

One pushes, one pulls. Ignore either one and things get wonky faster than you can say “tip burn.”

VPD: The Atmospheric Thirst Trap

VPD is basically how much the air wants to suck water out of your plants. High VPD? Hot and dry air slurping up moisture like it’s happy hour. Low VPD? Cool and muggy—air’s already full and can’t be bothered.

Now, your plants aren’t as daft or passive as you might think. They’ll open or close their stomata depending on this “atmospheric thirst.” But here’s the sneaky part: you can have the same VPD at two totally different temps and humidities. A VPD of 1.2 kPa might mean 26°C and 60% RH—or 30°C and 70% RH—and those are two completely different vibes for your plant.

VPD doesn’t just tell you how quickly plants dry out—it changes how they grow, affecting leaf shape, nutrient uptake, and overall metabolism.

EC: The Root-Zone Ringleader

While VPD is doing its sweaty, yoga-pants-clad sky dance, EC is handling business underground. EC tells you how “salty” your nutrient solution is. Higher EC = more ions = more nutrients. But it’s a balancing act. Too low, and your plants are hydrated but starving. Too high, and your plants find it harder to uptake that all-important water and your root zone can quickly turn into a salty wasteland.

The key takeaway? The right EC depends on your VPD. In other words, measure your VPD and adjust your EC accordingly. Trust me, it’s easier that way ‘round! If your VPD is low (humid and cool), your plants aren’t transpiring much. So you need to raise EC to get enough nutrients in.

If VPD is high (hot and dry), plants are pulling water quickly—you lower the EC so they can continue to drink without straining their roots.

Whether it’s trickling in through roots or evaporating off leaves, water is your plant’s best mate. But only if you guide it right

The Jason Revelation: When High EC Works

Now, remember Jason’s chillies? Feeding 4.5 mS in cool, damp spring weather?

Most growers would call that insane.

But his plants were in perfect health. Why? Because even though the VPD was low, the plants still needed nutrients to grow fast. And because his root zone was warm enough, welloxygenated, and irrigated just right, the plants could handle the higher osmotic pressure. No burn, no stunting—just lush growth. That experience forced me to rethink the usual “low VPD = low EC” mantra. It’s not just about matching the numbers. It’s about understanding what your plant can handle physiologically, at that moment.

Adjust as You Go

Plant needs evolve as they grow. Seedlings aren’t munching the same as blooming monsters. So your VPD and EC shouldn’t be static, either. Here are some general guidelines for commonly grown flowering annual plants:

In veg:

• VPD: 0.8–1.0 kPa (more humid, less stress)

• EC: 1.2–1.8 mS/cm (nutrient-rich, gentle)

In flower:

• VPD: 1.2–1.6 kPa (drier air for stronger transpiration)

• EC: 2.2–3.0 mS/cm (more food, more oomph)

Yes, this seems backwards. “High VPD and high EC? Madness!” But once the roots are mature and healthy, and the environment is dialled in, it works. It’s all about matching its appetite.

Don’t Get Caught Chasing Charts

Here’s where things go sideways for a lot of growers: They download a VPD chart, stick it on the wall, and chase the numbers as if it were gospel. Meanwhile, their substrate is salty as crisps, and the plants are sulking. Or they obsess over EC, get the ratios bang on, but forget their plants are sweating bullets in 30°C heat and can’t absorb anything anyway.

You’ve got to treat EC and VPD as a pair, not solo acts. It’s a duet. A tango. And if one goes out of step, the other follows.

EC is only half the recipe. VPD is the other half

your gut—and your eyes.

Whether it’s trickling in through roots or evaporating off leaves, water is your plant’s best mate. But only if you guide it right. VPD and EC are essential tools, and learning to wield them together is what separates hobbyists from real growers.

And if you ever doubt it, just remember Jason, feeding his spring chillies 4.5 mS like it was nothing. Blew my mind. Changed my grow. Might just change yours, too. 3

Relevant Studies

• Vurro et al., 2019 (mdpi.com/1424-8220/19/21/4667)

• Song et al., 2022 (doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8020147)

• Yu et al., 2024 (sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/ S0378377424002142)

More VPD/EC banter here:

• EC Explained by me: youtube.com/watch?v=uI9DONNdHg

• VPD Explained by me: youtube.com/ watch?v=k5bb3lazp6A

Urban gardening benefits

Challenges &Solutions

Public urban garden projects face many unique challenges.

Creating productive growing environments for community gardens and urban agriculture in city spaces with limited land is essential for health, wellbeing, and sustainable, resilient communities. I’ve worked in this space with thousands of local gardeners over the past 15 years. I was involved in the first community garden in our region, and now there are at least 16! There is an expanding network of urban food gardens to support community needs.

These environmental outcomes make urban agriculture a powerful tool for creating greener, more sustainable, and liveable cities

Public urban garden projects face many unique challenges. However, innovative solutions for sustainable food production in various contexts also have valuable benefits. Let’s look at just a few of the positive outcomes they offer.

Benefits of Urban Gardens

Urban agriculture takes many forms, including community gardens, city farms, verge gardens, rooftops, CSAs, market gardens, therapeutic gardens in aged care and hospitals, school gardens, and green public spaces. These growing environments provide health, social, economic, and environmental benefits for individuals and the community.

1. Improved Food Security and Access: Many studies (1) prove that urban gardens can improve food security and access to fresh, nutritious foods, especially in underserved and low-income communities. Most are located in central suburban or city hubs and are usually easily accessible by public transport.

2. Community Engagement, Education and Social Capital: Safe, inclusive green spaces like city farms, social enterprises and community gardens support neighbourhood resilience, foster social connections, build community ties and relationships, improve safety, encourage learning and a sense of belonging. Having been a member of several community gardens as an educator and renter, I’ve seen the many benefits these environments facilitate with residents. When I was a member of the Palmwoods Community Garden, on a site leased from the local church, it became a community hub. Many events have been hosted there, a food pantry set up, and a special section for growing multicultural food in an indigenous garden.

3. Mental and Physical Health: A scientific literature review (2) highlighted how community gardens positively impact fruit and vegetable intake, psychosocial health and community outcomes. Another review (3) of multiple studies found gardening to positively affect mental health, including reduced stress, improved mood, and life satisfaction.

4. Environmental Benefits: Urban agriculture offers many environmental benefits, including reducing the urban heat island effect, improving air quality, providing wildlife corridors and habitat for pollinators, increasing biodiversity, lowering food miles, carbon sequestration, stormwater management, and more. These environmental outcomes make urban agriculture a powerful tool for creating greener, more sustainable, and liveable cities.

Urban agriculture projects face barriers to success, but they can be overcome with creative solutions. These are a few examples.

Urban Agriculture Challenges and Solutions

Land Availability and Space Constraints: Limited access to suitable land in urban areas means councils can sometimes only allocate land with zoning restrictions or ecological issues like being located on a flood plain. Several community gardens I’ve been associated with are in flood zones and have to weather inundation and sometimes damage. Other councils or organisations offer short-term leases, which creates uncertainty for gardeners. Insecure land tenure is a significant impediment to the long-term sustainability of urban gardens. However, with so many studies advocating the benefits, there has been more government support for long-term leases providing security for many urban agriculture projects.

Social connections and improved mental health are benefits of participating in community gardens

Pollution and Poor Soil: City soils, particularly in high-traffic zones, may contain contaminants like lead, posing potential health risks. Numerous sites have experienced these challenges. For example, Ceres Community Environment Park in Melbourne is built on a former landfill site, presenting difficulties with soil contamination. Similarly, Northey Street City Farm, which started 25 years ago in Brisbane, faced issues with heavy metal contamination in the soil due to the site’s industrial history. To address this, the farm implemented strategies like soil testing, amending the soil with organic matter, and using raised garden beds to mitigate the risks. They also worked with local universities to research effective soil remediation techniques for their site. Now, they operate a thriving education hub, nursery and farmers’ markets.

Water and Power Access: Ensuring clean, affordable, sustainable water access and power are operational challenges many community gardens and urban agriculture projects face. Limited infrastructure can cause delays and frustrate expansion plans. One sustainable solution is collecting rainwater in tanks to provide onsite irrigation. Wicking beds and innovative products like WaterUps use significantly less water. Utilising a reservoir below the soil helps reduce water usage by up to 80%. Solar panels help generate electricity for lighting, water pumps and other equipment, providing a renewable energy source and reducing operating costs.

Funding: Covering infrastructure and equipment costs is an ongoing challenge. Most community gardens are self-funded through various activities and rely on volunteers, donations, grants, private sector financial assistance and NGO support. Some community gardens form partnerships with local councils or organisations to provide resources or funding for infrastructure improvements like water-efficient systems and energy. When I was a member of Palmwoods Community Garden, local businesses sponsored garden beds with their promotional signs.

These inspiring projects and studies demonstrate the transformative potential of urban agriculture and hope for the future in city spaces

Labour, Lack of Time and Ongoing Maintenance:

Finding people to establish and maintain gardens is an unending issue. However, creative solutions include engaging with volunteer recruitment agencies that connect individuals interested in gardening and community service with projects needing labour. Many gardens offer incentives like free produce. Some businesses foster corporate social responsibility by encouraging employees to help provide regular support. Collaborations with student volunteers from schools, TAFE and universities provide environmental education – a win-win. Volunteers can assist from youth groups, prison and council-run programmes to reduce the maintenance burden. Many urban agriculture projects also apply drip irrigation, composting, and crop rotation to minimise the need for intensive manual labour.

By addressing common challenges, implementing creative solutions and leveraging the benefits, urban gardens can become more sustainable and have a meaningful impact by improving food security, environmental quality, health, and social and community wellbeing. These inspiring projects and studies demonstrate the transformative potential of urban agriculture and hope for the future in city spaces. 3

References:

1. The Role of Urban Agriculture in Enhancing Urban Food System Sustainability and Resilience: A Literature Review (2022)

2. Community gardens and their effects on diet, health, psychosocial and community outcomes: a systematic review (2022)

3. Effect of gardening activities on domains of health: a systematic review and meta-analysis (2025)

BIO Anne Gibson, The Micro Gardener, is an author, speaker and urban garden community educator on the Sunshine Coast, in Queensland, Australia. Anne is passionate about inspiring people to improve health and wellbeing, by growing nutrient-dense food gardens in creative containers and small spaces. Anne regularly presents workshops, speaks at sustainable living events, coaches private clients and teaches community education classes about organic gardening and ways to live sustainably. She has authored several eBooks and gardening guides. Anne shares organic gardening tips and tutorials to save time, money and energy on her popular website - TheMicroGardener.com

world

the of

Right, confession time.

Years ago, I was trying to grow some giant beefsteak tomatoes in containers using a light, peat-based potting mix and all-organic liquid feeds. I was patting myself on the back because, in my eyes at least, I was providing them with a veritable paradise of goodies—the feed itself, fish hydrolysate, molasses, a drop of seaweed extract, L-aminos, fulvics, humics the whole buffet.There were children in my village who weren’t nearly as well cared for, or so I thought.

Let’s just say that the initial growth rates didn’t match my high expectations. In fact, the plants kind of moped around like call centre workers on a cigarette break, giving me absolutely no sign they’d received the memo that it was time to get busy.

Panicking, I doubled the dose—of everything. It turned out, like in many scenarios when you’re waiting for effects to kick in, that was a bad idea.

After a few weeks, one pot began to smell really bad and developed a grey fuzz on the soil surface. Eventually, the plant dropped all its lower leaves as if resigning from life. Clearly, I’d overdone it.

Allow me to skip forward to the key lesson: liquid organic feeds aren’t like mineral nutrients. They don’t hit fast. They hit later. But when they do—if you’ve played your cards right, plants go nuts.

First of All—What Are Liquid Organic Nutrients?

Let’s be honest: if you’ve ever opened a bottle of fish hydrolysate in July, you’ll know they’re not exactly glamorous. They are thick and sludgy, and they often smell like an old people’s home.

But—unlike geriatrics—these feeds are alive (or at least full of stuff that feeds life). It’s not about feeding the plant directly— they’re a full meal deal for your potting mix. Humic acids, enzymes, vitamins, amino acids, maybe even dormant microbes— all swirling around in those bottles of gloop.

But My Plants Look Hungry?!

Here’s the kicker: your plant isn’t ignoring you—it’s just waiting for dinner to be cooked and served. Organic nutrients need to be pre-chewed, so to speak, by microbes. Your liquid feed is feeding the soil food web first— bacteria, fungi, protozoa —who then kindly digest it into bite-sized ions your plant can absorb.

So, yes, there’s a lag. And that lag is your microbes getting busy, doing a bit of digestion, and plating up nitrogen and phosphorus with a flourish—or squeezing them out in the restroom—or let’s move on.

Containers Are a Different Beast

If you’re growing in pots, you’ve got to be clever. Think of it like managing a miniature ecosystem in a bucket, with a much-reduced margin for error compared to growing in regular outdoor beds. Unlike the garden, your potting mix has no subsoil, no worms sneaking in from next door, no reservoir of life—it’s just you, your bagged mix, and what you add to it. So, if you’re using organic liquids, you’re both feeding and managing an entire underground economy.

Small pots dry out faster—which is terrible news for microbes— so you’ve got to be extra diligent about keeping your potting mix moist. They heat up and cool down more. The microbial population swings wildly. You’ve got to work harder to keep things steady—and that starts with feeding both the microbes and the plant before there’s a crisis.

Timing: Anticipation Is Everything

This bit’s important, so read it like your yield depends on it (because it kind of does).

Start Early—but Gently

Even when your plant looks happy and healthy, start slipping in small amounts of liquid feed—¼ strength like you’re trying not to spook the microbes. You’re priming the pump, keeping the soil food web ticking so that when demand spikes, there’s already a buffet laid out.

Don’t Wait for Yellow Leaves

By the time you see yellowing, your plant is already giving horticultural middle finger. Look for subtler cues: slightly growth, a fade in leaf sheen, that green looking just a perky. Start adjusting before the panic sets in.

Build the Microbial Bank

Think of every feed as a deposit. You’re not just feeding for to day—you’re building credit. Keep feeding regularly (even lightly) to build up microbial life and partially digested nutrients. When demand spikes, you’ll already have nutrients in motion stuck in processing.

Organic Nutrients

Your liquid feed is feeding the soil food web first— bacteria, fungi, protozoa who then kindly digest it into bite-sized ions your plant can absorb

Feeding Strategies: It’s Not Just What, It’s How

Front-Load Before Flower

If you know your plant’s going to go into beast mode in, say, week 5, don’t wait until week 5 to feed. Start ramping up in weeks 3 and 4, so by the time flowers start forming, there’s already plentiful supplies of available phosphorus and potassium in the root zone.

Don’t Drop the Grow!

Here’s another rookie move I see all the time—and yep, I’ve done it too: the minute those first flowers appear, people stop using their grow formula and switch entirely to bloom.

Big mistake.

In organic systems, your grow feed typically isn’t just a source of nitrogen. It’s often packed with simple sugars and amino acids that feed your microbial workforce. Ditching it cold turkey can cause your soil biology to stall right when you need it most.

The trick is to use both your grow and bloom during flowering. That’s right, keep your grow feed going right through flowering, combined with the bloom feed. You’re maintaining a steady stream of microbial fuel while layering in extra phosphorus and potassium from your bloom feed.

They don’t hit fast. They hit later. But when they do—if you’ve played your cards right, plants go nuts.

Secret Weapons: Six Organic Game-Changers

Alright, here’s the good stuff. These tricks take your organic game from meh to magnificent:

1. Ditch the Chlorine Tap water often has chlorine or chloramine. Microbe killers. Let it sit for 24 hours (for chlorine), or use a neutraliser product like Ecothrive’s Neutralise for instant peace of mind. RO water or rainwater? Even better.

2. Add Life – Regularly One bottle of mycorrhizae at transplant isn’t enough. Keep the party going with inoculants— Bacillus, Trichoderma, all the gang. Add every 2–4 weeks to keep your microbial workforce sharp and diverse.

3. Feed the Feeders Fish hydrolysate, humic and fulvic acids, coconut water powder, aloe extract... they’re not just buzzwords. They supercharge the microbes, stimulate roots, and unlock nutrients. Use sparingly but strategically.

4. Foliar Feeding = Fast Fix Need a quick pick-me-up? Diluted fish or seaweed sprays (¼ strength or less) applied to the underside of leaves work wonders. Think of it as a cheeky espresso shot while the soil microbes are still making dinner.

5. Instant Microbial Teas Forget the 48-hour brewfests. Products like Biosys make instant microbial teas you can whip up and deploy every week or so.

It’s Slow… Until It’s Not

Liquid organic feeding is a slow burn. But once that microbial engine’s running, it’s glorious. Your plants will hum. Growth will surge. And you’ll be sitting there, grinning like a proud (and responsible) parent, wondering why you ever doubted it.

So yes—be patient. Feed early. Increment doses gradually. And most importantly, never underestimate the power of a good stink (looking at you, fish hydrolysate) when it comes to growing the best plants of your life. 3

Everest Fernandez is a well-respected industry educator, veteran hydroponic grower and grow light enthusiast, based in France. He works primarily as a marketing and cultivation consultant and was the founding editor of Urban Garden Magazine in the UK, US and Canada. He also writes and researches for the popular hobby horticulturalist YouTube channel, Just4Growers.

Exploring the Depths of

Ocean Iron

Fertilisation

By rewilding and restoring biodiversity in our overfished oceans, we can mitigate climate change and reduce extreme weather-related events.

In small quantities, iron acts as a micronutrient and, along with chlorophyll, enhances photosynthesis and the formation of phytoplankton in the oceans

We hear a lot about regenerative agriculture and how it could be a solution to mitigating and even reversing the effects of climate change. Regenerative growing prioritises biodiversity and soil health, the core principle being that rich soil with plenty of organic matter is crucial for carbon storage.

But what about the world’s oceans? They cover 71% of planet Earth; could they also be part of the solution?

“I admit that two years ago, I had never thought about the oceans,” says Tomi Nyman, one of the founders and chairman of the board at Oceanry. “Almost all the people forget the oceans. We sit in our offices and at our homes; we don’t see the oceans every day. We don’t think about them. [We need to be] increasing people’s understanding that oceans are essential to keep us alive.”

Oceanry is a non-profit organisation that Nyman launched in the fall of 2024. A chemist by trade, Nyman had been looking at potential climate solutions for years. He began suffering from climate anxiety, realising that many of the world’s current environmental initiatives are either moving too slowly or don’t offer a big enough impact. His attention turned to the oceans, and he was introduced to ocean iron fertilisation (OIF).

“I studied everything I could find online,” he says. “I realised that from a chemical perspective, from a biological perspective, there is no reason why ocean iron fertilisation wouldn’t work, so I wanted to find a way to make people aware of this concept.”

Ocean Iron Fertilisation

OIF is a biomimicking climate repair technique discovered by Dr John Martin in 1989. In small quantities, iron acts as a micronutrient and, along with chlorophyll, enhances photosynthesis and the formation of phytoplankton in the oceans. Desert sand, volcanic ash, and whale poop all contain iron and have the same effect. Phytoplankton grows quickly and is the foundation of the marine food chain, eaten by fish and whales. It also stores carbon; when OIF is implemented with care and on a large scale, it can potentially remove 10 teratons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere or more every year, the equivalent of 25% of global annual emissions.

“Fish, whales, and birds can smell that something is happening; whales can see the plankton blooms through their sonars, and they are attracted to the area,” Nyman explains. “They come to feast on a massive amount of food and spread that biodiversity throughout the ocean.”

For Nyman and his team at Oceanry, OIF offers hope. By rewilding and restoring biodiversity in our overfished oceans, we

But what about the world’s oceans?

They cover 71% of planet Earth; could they also be part of the solution?

can mitigate climate change and reduce extreme weather-related events. Ocean ry’s mission is to spread the word and spark non-commercial, large-scale research opportunities on OIF to see if it can be a valid solution to the environmental crisis. However, Nyman emphasises the importance of conducting research responsibly.

Bad Press

OIF is controversial and has many critics. A large experiment conducted on the Canadian coast in 2012 had mixed results. Nyman says phytoplankton blooms saw fish populations grow almost fivefold in a year. However, despite good intentions, things went wrong, and the final results were inconclusive. The project received a lot of negative press and was accused of needlessly dumping chemicals into the ocean. It also led to a debate about what scientists can do in unregulated international waters.

Experiments must be perfectly timed and occur in the right locations. For example, if research is carried out in warm waters, cyanobacteria and red tides can form, damaging other marine life. Harmful algal blooms close to coastlines can result in fish deaths, the opposite of what OIF strives to accomplish.

“We need to make people aware that these kinds of things can happen if we’re not cautious,” Nyman says.

Phytoplankton

when OIF is implemented with care and on a large scale, it can potentially remove 10 teratons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere or more every year, the equivalent of 25% of global annual emissions

He believes proper research can be conducted by carefully choosing the areas and planning the experiments in cooler waters outside peak summer months. Ideally, the studies must happen on high seas and at least 500 kilometres from the coasts, which already have a high iron content. Nyman also strives to avoid one-sided research conducted by a company or organisation looking for one desired outcome. Oceanry wants multi-disciplinary research that can pinpoint various benefits or pitfalls to OIF, focusing on longterm carbon sequestration, aerosol and cloud formation, and the impact on biodiversity and the food web. Studies must also examine how OIF affects water temperature, pH, and ocean currents.

“We don’t need to be perfect, but we need wide research to understand the positive impacts and the potential risks,” he says.

Nyman estimates that a single experiment will cost up to €40 million, which is a lot of money, but he says it’s cheap compared to the potential outcome.

“If we calculate the carbon value of a successful experiment that scale, it can be more than a billion,” he says. “Then, add the value of the enhanced biodiversity and food web, the reduction in ocean acidification, increase in cloud cover, steady rain, fewer droughts (...) We can impact the need for people to immigrate and lose their homes. The social impacts can be massive. We’re talking about a single experiment having a multi-billion-dollar impact for €40 million.”

Not the Only Solution

Oceanry is clear that while it believes OIF can help mitigate the effects of climate change, it can’t be the only solution. Like regenerative agriculture, it will work best if carried out alongside pollution and emission reduction, clean energy solutions, nature restoration and the rewilding of the planet. We also need to learn to live with less; for example, Nyman tries to buy fewer than three pieces of textiles per year. His family of four produces only 10 kilos of mixed waste annually, sending everything else out for recycling. We can take on these little things as individuals; however, exploring the depths of ocean iron fertilisation requires an international commitment to working together responsibly and sustainably. It’s a substantial target, but Oceany will take it on.

“We are reaching out to potential funders to increase awareness and promote the research,” Nyman says. “We are partnering with universities and institutes to build a roadmap of what needs to happen so that ocean iron fertilisation is an approved climate solution by 2030 or later. Hopefully, by 2030.” 3

To learn more about ocean iron fertilisation, visit oceanry.org.

BIO Catherine is a Canadian award-winning journalist who worked as a reporter and news anchor in Montreal’s radio and television scene for 10 years. A graduate of Concordia University, she left the hustle and bustle of the business after starting a family. Now, she’s the editor and a writer for Garden Culture Magazine while also enjoying being a mom to her three young kids. Her interests include great food, gardening, fitness, animals, and anything outdoors.

Tomi Nyman

BY DUSTAN MCLEAN

Boron

Is

Far from BorING

Boron can help build the plant up top while keeping the party alive and well below

Imagine a plant’s root zone as an ongoing party—an event that gives your plant the energy it needs to grow and thrive. You’re the grower—the organiser of that party. Who’s going to get an invitation? What’s the guest list going to look like? Let’s look at who needs to be there and at one guest who often gets overlooked.

For this epic event, we know we need to invite the ones who are the life of the party – ‘A’ listers if you will – the primary macronutrients Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium. Along with these party animals, other guests, such as Calcium, Magnesium, and Sulfur, must be invited. These secondary macronutrients play vital roles in various areas of the party, like cell division and photosynthesis. They help keep the party rocking. There’s another group of guests who need to be on the list – most are well-known and always great to have over because they help grow the party and create an environment where the dance floor is full, and the music is bumping. These are your micronutrients. These include Manganese, Zinc, Copper, and Molybdenum. But there’s one micronutrient that’s often uninvited and overlooked, and even when they’re allowed in, they’re left sitting in the corner watching all the other micronutrients getting the attention. Who’s this guest? Boring ‘ol Boron. However, Boron is far from that, and one of the first guests who should be put on any party list. Let’s get a bit more technical and discover who this guest is and why it’s essential for Boron to grace your party with its presence.

Boron is involved in multiple functions of plant growth, which are crucial for plant life. It contributes to cell wall formation and stability, impacting the plant’s structural integrity. More specifically, it plays a critical role in maintaining the structural and functional integrity of biological membranes within plant cells, ensuring proper cellular operations and optimised growth for the plant’s life. Essential for consistent development, Boron also facilitates the efficient transport of sugars – the plant’s energy source – from leaves to growth areas. This is very important in gardening in general.

When it comes to its importance for cellular processes, Boron regulates cell division and the overall development of those cells while participating in the party game called protein synthesis. My fellow plant breeders, take note: Boron is indispensable for pollination and seed set. It influences flower production, pollen tube elongation, germination, and the development of seeds, fruits, and flowers. While Boron helps a plant’s internal processes, it also enhances its ability to absorb other essential nutrients, such as phosphorus and potassium, through its roots. This means Boron can help build the plant up top while keeping the party alive and well below.

The tangible benefits of having Boron at the party are not limited to healthy plant growth and development. In gardening, adequate Boron levels can significantly increase flower, fruit and vegetable yields while enhancing the quality, taste and colour. The roots who hang out in the party lounge love Boron being there as it helps them with vigorous growth – and we all know that “the bigger the roots, the better the fruits”. Boron takes a good time and turns it into a great time.

Boron is involved in multiple functions of plant growth, which are crucial for plant life. It contributes to cell wall formation and stability, impacting the plant’s structural integrity.

So, what happens if you forget to ask Boron to come? A party lacking in Boron can lead to a cascade of bad vibes – a super downer for any plant.

For starters, and an important note for breeders – the plant’s reproductive capacity will be compromised; pollen grains may be empty, reducing fertility and seed production. Our good friends down at the party – the roots - aren’t very impressed and generally become stunted and unhealthy. On top, an even unhappier plant will display underdeveloped new leaves and unhealthy growing tips. These new leaves may die or display ‘scorched’ areas.

As you can see, Boron is far from boring, and it’s THE guest your plants want at the party. It’s a pivotal micronutrient guest – vital for plant health and participating in various cell structure and reproduction processes. The best thing you can do for your plants is add Boron to that ‘A’-list group when sending out invitations. Ensure an adequate supply of it because it’s indispensable for successful gardening and cultivating healthy, thriving plants with increased yields and, most importantly, quality.

Happy gardening, everyone! Be well. 3

BIO With 30 years of cultivation experience, Dustan has dedicated a good portion of his life to medicinal plants. He was a founding partner and Head of Cultivation/Master Grower for Parkland Flower Inc. He is now the Head of Cultivation and Master Grower for Big League Cultivation in Alberta, Canada. He provides incredible genetics to Canadian producers and selected flower and concentrates for the international market. He is also a cultivation consultant with Chief Grow Officer Consulting. He is currently working on several projects, including developing a cultivar to help with opioid addiction and a drought-resistant variety.

NOTES FROM A DIRTY OLD GARDENER

Grow Environments and Broken Hockey Sticks

Well, the title is underwhelming to me, so let’s see if I can make this literary masterpiece

There are three main environments that I am going to cover in these exterior, and the beloved clandestine laboratory. I’ll sprinkle equal parts advice my habit to keep you, the dear reader, and my editor entertained, if not just for a few minutes. bean sprouts. We start with a trip back in time.

Good Ol’ Fashioned Outdoor Growing

Before all the glitz and the glamour of today’s modernday grow rooms and expansive greenhouses, there was just dirt. Good dirt, mind you, but dirt all the same. Commercial farming aside, your run-of-the-mill household garden has been getting things done for centuries. I am talking about a lackadaisical apathy for anything professional in these gardens. My grandmother, often mentioned here, grew bountiful volumes of vegetation with nothing but her aspirations and a shovel she stole from her neighbour in Italy. She used to steal her kids’ sports equipment (like hockey sticks and baseball bats) to support her tomatoes. Have you ever seen your uncle cry in the driveway cause his mother cut

She used to steal her kids' sports equipment

(like hockey sticks and baseball bats) to support her

tomatoes

up his favourite hockey stick for trellis material? While the technology used is archaic or non-existent, what exists here is the effort. Get out there and move around and make a goddamn effort. With some luck and a couple of seeds, the outdoor grow environment will give you the biggest payback for the lowest effort. Ask my uncle

after he finishes crying while punching the dirt in the garden. Witness the pleasures of exterior growing.

Taking Things Indoors

When I mention interior gardening, I am mainly talking about the greenhouse. The kind of places for some of the more difficult crops that may require a little more coddling, such as melons, cucumbers and peppers. In these places, we start seeing large HVAC systems and targeted pest control alongside some genetic cherry-picking and so on. The greatest advantage here is a moderately controllable environment that produces a bulk amount of an essentially guaranteed crop. A lot of them operate 24/7 all year long. Listen, shit happens, so even in these places, with all the technologies, things can still turn to shit. Let’s talk about the drawbacks for a moment. I drive past one of these places every day to work, and the light pollution makes it look like we are getting invaded by aliens. I am talking about a neck-breaking amount of ambient light making its way to my cornea from 10 miles away. It’s like the episode of Seinfeld by the big neon Fried Chicken sign that a restaurant put outside his bedroom window. If you want to piss off your neighbours, then just build a commercial-scale greenhouse. On the plus side, more environmental controls mean less food insecurity, and I am a huge fan of everyone eating a healthy meal.

They look like any other person on the block. But they have a deep, dark secret

Underground Grow Geeks

Now, let’s get down to the good stuff. There is one in every neighbourhood. They look like any other person on the block. But they have a deep, dark secret. A secret that would ensure you never get laid again if it ever came to light. I lovingly call them Grow Geeks. I say lovingly because I surely am one of them. A Grow Geek has taken small-scale interior growth to new levels and is putting a lot of commercial growers to shame in terms of quality and sometimes quantity you can yield in a single plant. These places don’t stop at grow tents and LED lights. Some domestic grow rooms have some of the most eloquent ventilation system designs I have ever seen. All of it runs on automation. While I hate learning new technologies, it certainly comes in handy in the grow room. There are no rules in the grow room, so that’s where you usually find the most interesting innovations. A lot of what gets adopted as industry standard, later on, started as something a Grow Geek thought up in their botanical science project. Anything from automated slow drip watering systems to feeding systems that portion control your nutrients is far from my grandmother cutting up hockey sticks in the garage.

Time for Self-Relection

A Grow Geek has taken smallscale interior growth to new levels and is putting a lot of commercial growers to shame

You need to look inward and figure out what type of gardener you are. Are you a glutton who likes large-scale guarantees? Are you an amateur scientist who gets a boner for maximising a plant’s potential? Or are you a mother who likes to make her children cry? Personally, the older I get, the more and more I get a chuckle when the kids have a tantrum. I started life not giving a shit about plants. I then evolved into a Grow Geek and explored all facets of what was possible in a small domestic space. Now I like to grow chaotically all willynilly while shitting on my acre of land alongside my dogs to save a few bucks on fertiliser. Oh, how the mighty have fallen. I kid. The question is, are you happy, and is it working for you? Well, it certainly makes me feel glad to think about my grandmother every time I sit down to write one of these, and I still need to get outside and cut up some hockey sticks. So, I will see you out there this spring. If you see me or one of the dogs shitting in the garden, just politely wave.

Listen here, my little bean sprouts. My Golden Retriever is looking at me like it’s time to fertilise the garden, so I will be brief. Spring is just around the corner. So, figure out which kind of gardener you are and get out there or in there. Just make an effort. 3

BIO Regi Oneton is a multi-disciplinary artist and daytime executive. He’s been a member of Socan since his first album release at the age of 20, and is a self-taught audio engineer and self-proclaimed studio rat. Regi is a late-blooming street artist and painter whose works can be found hanging in the offices of Burton and Vans Canada. Long-time contributor to the Under Pressure Graffiti Festival and lover of the Arts. As the years plow forward, he has added botanical enthusiast/plant father to his litany of passions. His interests include writing and spending too much time looking at his phone.

Gardening Pitfalls and Rolling with the

Petersen’s realistic approach that gardening can be mentally taxing, expensive, and a constant battle with nature has made her relatable to her almost 6,000 Instagram followers and 1,500 YouTube subscribers

Bri Petersen’s honest portrayal of gardening pitfalls resonates with gardeners everywhere.

During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chains were interrupted, and people worldwide, including Bri Petersen, turned to backyard gardening to grow food. Quitting her job in finance, Petersen devoted herself full-time to gardening and building her business, Urban Gardening Canada.

A Unique Spin

A self-taught grower, she has transposed knowledge gleaned from trial and error to create workshops, write e-books, publish a weekly newsletter, and offer online gardening courses. Petersen’s realistic approach that gardening can be taxing, expensive, and a constant battle with nature has made her relatable to her almost 6,000 Instagram followers and 1,500 YouTube subscribers. Like her gardens, these numbers are constantly growing, with people tuning in to watch Peterson bust various perceived ‘garden myths’, including the concept that gardening is a relaxing pastime.

“I mentally struggle when things go wrong,” she says.

Don’t we all? Gardening can be frustrating when the hopes of a garden bed of roses or an enormous harvest of cucumbers do not materialise. Petersen admits she sometimes feels like throwing in the towel. Her constant battle with garden pests is a regular source of angst. She shares her adventures hunting beetle eggs in her Ottawa backyard garden and her diligence in meticulously wiping every single leaf miner larvae off Swiss Chard on her social media channels. The notion of overcoming these challenges inspires her.

“If you realise there’s a way to overcome it, then the next year, when you don’t have that problem, you’re like, ‘OK, there’s a way to manage this,’” she says.

For example, planting cucumber later in the season after the first flush of cucumber beetle larvae has given her late-season pickles and empowered her to forge ahead.

Petersen isn’t shy about promoting gardening from a Canadian perspective, either. She grew tired of continually converting Fahrenheit to Celsius because the only information available was from American gardening sites. She wanted something geared to Canada and its climate.

“I think patriotism was part of why I created this company,” she says.

Climate Concerns

Gardening brings climate to your doorstep, and you become more aware of weather patterns and insects and see all the changes the planet is experiencing because of climate change. It’s also how Petersen addresses her eco-anxiety. Last summer, she created a workshop on gardening resiliently during climate change to help others overcome their anxieties. The workshop covered water usage topics, like how to conserve it during drought and deal with a waterlogged garden when it rains too much. She has garnered local notoriety and was interviewed on CBC’s local news in Ottawa, which inspired her recently launched online course, Gardening in a Changing Climate.

Gardening can be frustrating when the hopes of a garden bed of roses or an enormous harvest of cucumbers do not materialise

These topics aren’t typically discussed on gardening sites, but Peterson isn’t shy about expressing her opinions and propelling gardening into the spotlight as the answer to society’s problems

Gardening is the Answer

In recent posts, Petersen has veered from the expected gardening advice about planting dates and has spoken out about food waste, high grocery prices, and Canada/US relations. These topics aren’t typically discussed on gardening sites, but Peterson isn’t shy about expressing her opinions and propelling gardening into the spotlight as the answer to society’s problems. She believes food banks are collapsing and that food is a right to life for everyone.

Petersen doesn’t sugarcoat the pitfalls of gardening, which is so refreshing

“We need to talk about these things,” she says. “If the government can’t support you in ways you need, then we have to take matters into our own hands.”

As far as Petersen is concerned, gardening is a way to grow food and safeguard individual food security. She encourages everyone to donate part of their harvest to a local food bank. Flower growers can even donate fresh-cut bouquets because not everyone has a garden with flowers.

Gardening can be Cheap

Another myth Petersen shatters is that everyone can afford to garden. It can be expensive! But she also believes it doesn’t have to be. Her raised beds are made from recycled decking, and once again, she turns her experience into something to be shared through an e-book she’s written about how to garden for free.

Petersen doesn’t sugarcoat the pitfalls of gardening, which is so refreshing. She believes that growing challenges reinforce that gardening is a counterbalance.

“You have to recognise you’re going to have bad days,” she says. “Other times, you are going to have really good days. Seeing a plant demolished by insects is a counterbalance to going out to the garden and eating a fresh tomato off the vine.”

Check out Bri Peterson’s down-to-earth growing advice at urbangardeningcanada.com 3

<dictionary definition> Moist (adj.) Being in a state of moisture.

“Water as and when the plant requires it.”

mastering Moisture in Living Soil

How Tensiometers Transformed My Gardening

“Keep soil moist—not too wet, and not too dry.”

Have you ever come across “helpful advice” like this on a bag of potting soil or a feed chart?

When I first started working with living soil, I wanted to find a precise way of managing moisture content. It’s no secret that it’s easier to overwater soil-based potting mixes than soilless ones—so I was keen to find a way to dial things in.

It wasn’t long before I discovered an instrument called a “tensiometer”—a tool that completely transformed how I approach soil moisture management. I’ve learned a great deal from using tensiometers in my living soil research and development, so I thought it was time to share!

Why Traditional Methods Fall Short

Like many growers, I’ve often relied on the fairly manual method of simply lifting pots and judging moisture content by weight (or back strain) or poking my index finger rudely into the soil. But living soil uses much larger containers—10 gallons (about 40L) is a bare minimum—and raised beds are often used, too. A quick lift is out of the question when working with these large volumes of dense, organic living soil! Not only are these pots or beds way too heavy, but the soil’s surface can be deceiving—it can look and feel dry, while deeper down, there’s still plenty of moisture.

It’s no secret that it’s easier to overwater soil-based potting mixes than soilless ones

Understanding Tensiometers: Your Artificial Roots

So, what exactly is a tensiometer? I like to think of it as an “artificial plant root.” A tensiometer is a hollow tube filled with water, capped with a vacuum gauge at the top and a porous ceramic tip at the bottom, which is inserted into the soil.

When the soil dries, it exerts suction on the ceramic tip and water inside the tensiometer. This suction from the soil —or tension—is what the gauge measures. The reading tells you precisely how hard your plants are working to draw water from the soil. A high reading means your soil lacks moisture, which can stress your plants. A low reading indicates moisture is easily accessible.

Tensiometers are available from a few companies and come in various sizes. The most common and cost-effective model is the Blumat Digital. This has a maximum measurement depth of approximately 8” (20cm) and is effective for pots or beds. Irrometer makes higher-end tensiometers that use a dial vacuum gauge rather than digital and come in a wider range of sizes. These allow measurements to be taken up to (30cm) deep, which is great for beds.

Tensiometers give growers invaluable clarity their irrigation. Suddenly, watering decisions are straightforward and measurable rather than based on guesswork or intuition.

Soil Tension and Volumetric Water Content

I discovered an instrument called a “tensiometer”—a tool that completely transformed how I approach soil moisture management

It’s worth appreciating the subtle and important difference between soil tension and volumetric water content (VWC). While VWC simply indihow much water is physically present, soil tension is a measure that’s arguably conceptually closer to the plant’s physiology; it tells you how hard plants need to work to access that water. Two soils can have identical VWC readings with significantly different soil tension.

When readings climb between 70-90 millibars, it’s time to start thinking about watering soon. Anything above 100 millibars indicates that your plants may be experiencing some moisture stress

For instance, using VWC meters and physically weighing the pot, I’ve tested our Eco-Life peat-based living soil alongside our coco-based Living Soil, and the results were eye-opening. At identical VWC, the peat-based mix consistently showed lower tension, meaning water was more easily accessible to plants. This made me realise why coco coir mixes perform better when they run slightly wetter! I love those moments when experiments and data backup are growing experiences. I now think of coco coir as a sort of “greedy sponge” when it comes to holding on to moisture!

While we are discussing peat vs. coco coir, when coco coir is run at a lower tension (wetter), the physical structure of the media still retains plenty of air, which is beneficial for root growth and biological activity. Peat mixes generally tend to have a finer physical structure, so when you reach higher moisture levels (lower tension), there can be less air space. Peat mixes are often more sensitive to overwatering than coco coir. Can you tell I love coco coir?

How to Use Tensiometers

Tensiometers are generally placed where the action is—directly into your root zone, typically halfway down your container or bed, with the ceramic tip around 6-8” (15-20cm) deep. If you’re working with large containers or beds, placing multiple tensiometers tactically around the space is ideal. In beds, using a longer tensiometer such as the Irrometer LT 300 (that can measure up to 12” (30cm) deep) helps get a better understanding of how the water fluctuates deeper down in the soil profile. Multiple readings can provide valuable insights and a clearer picture of moisture distribution.

In my experience, the ideal range for tensiometer readings in living soil is around 40-100 millibars. When readings climb between 7090 millibars, it’s time to start thinking about watering soon. Anything above 100 millibars indicates that your plants may be experiencing some moisture stress. Of course, fine-tuning, depending on your soil type, is necessary to get dialled in.

mastering Moisture in Living Soil

A high reading means your soil lacks moisture, which can stress your plants. A low reading indicates moisture is easily accessible

When plants are in vegetative growth, most growers aim to provide consistent and easy access to moisture. When plants enter transition, it’s common to up the ante slightly and steer plants decisively into generative production with tensiometer readings up to 100120 millibars. Once flowering has commenced, the soil tension can be reduced slightly until it’s time to induce senescence (ripening) towards the end of the cycle, when soil tension can be increased once more.

Practical Tips for Using and Maintaining Tensiometers

From my trials and errors, here are a few key tips to ensure your tensiometers remain accurate and reliable:

• Leave Them Alone!: When you first insert the tensiometer into the soil, It can take 6-24 hours before the reading stabilises. After this, they usually take 5-30 mins to stabilise after watering. For this reason, it is best to leave a tensiometer in the same position rather than moving it around. Tensiometers are also relatively wide probes, so moving them frequently can cause unnecessary disturbance to the soil and roots.

• Regularly Check Water Levels: Quickly inspect the tensiometers every few weeks to ensure enough water is inside. If the water level drops, refill it with clean water. Usually, the water level will only drop if there have been significant dry backs. If you’re using digital models, periodically check the battery condition.

• Proper Care Between Cycles: When harvest day comes, it’s common for growers to focus on post-harvest processes and leave their grow rooms in a sort of post-apocalyptic state until it’s time for the next run. As such, tensiometers can be forgotten and left in drying soil beds. Firstly, you should avoid letting your soil dry completely between growing cycles, but it’s also best to remove any tensiometers, service them and store them with the tip in water or moist soil before replanting. I’ve noticed that extremely dry soil can cause excessive vacuum pressure within tensiometers, permanently damaging the gauge; this can lead to inaccurate readings.

Maintaining Your Living Soil’s Structure

The initial investment in these devices quickly pays off through healthier plants, better yields, and fewer headaches

Precision Watering Gives Better Results

Over time, I’ve observed that living soils also change significantly. As organic matter breaks down, the soil compacts accordingly, altering its ability to retain moisture. Without accurate monitoring, it’s easy to end up with dry pockets or overly saturated zones, both of which can harm plant health and the soil’s vital microbial community.

It’s difficult to overstate the importance of maintaining soil structure. Coco coir and peat are organic matter, which naturally breaks down over time, leading to higher water-holding capacity and reduced drainage, often referred to as soil compaction. This can be observed over multiple cycles in living soil through a physical handsqueeze soil inspection, but it can also be detected through your tensiometer readings. You will notice a tendency for the tension to decrease over time, remaining lower for longer periods.

To counter this, I routinely amend my living soil with around 4-5% pumice every three or four cycles. These additions maintain a balance of air and water, ensuring even moisture distribution and enhancing the soil structure.

I also moved away from strictly no-till gardening to gently mixing in the amendments when preparing beds for a new cycle. Mixing the soil down to 8-10” (20-25cm) depth at the end of each cycle can reveal areas of dryness or compaction and allows me to adjust watering strategies, keeping the soil consistently productive.

Since incorporating tensiometers into my gardening routine, I’ve experienced significantly improved consistency, healthier plants, and a thriving microbial environment. The guesswork of watering has been replaced with precise, measurable action, leading directly to better plant health and productivity.

I strongly encourage growers—whether you’re just getting started or have been gardening for years—to explore the benefits of tensiometers in their living soil practices. The initial investment in these devices quickly pays off through healthier plants, better yields, and fewer headaches.

As the living soil revolution gains momentum and more growers adopt this cultivation method, I strongly recommend investigating tensiometers as part of the transition. They aren’t just gadgets— they’re a central part of growing efficiently, consistently and successfully with soil.

To learn more about tensiometers and moisture management, visit my Ecothrive blog (ecothrive.co.uk/blogs/news), where I regularly share insights and experiences from my living soil journey. 3

BIO Gareth Hopcroft is a certified plant geek and all round organic gardening devotee. Gareth has been involved in the UK hydro industry for 15 years and is currently the owner of Ecothrive; known mostly for bringing frass to the UK scene through his product ‘Charge’. When he’s not talking about indoor growing or microbes, you’ll find Gareth getting his hands dirty on his allotment or falling off his skateboard.

Follow Gareth @ecothrive

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fads Gardening fads

Gardening fads throughout history reflect a deep desire to connect with nature. Here Today, Gone Tomorrow?

these trends

all share a desire to connect more acutely with nature and improve the planet’s well-being

Garden Culture Magazine reports on the latest gardening trends every year. In 2025, plant tunes are an essential part of gardening. Cranking the music for our houseplants and tomato seedlings may seem odd, but people say it works. Is this trend here to stay, like 2009’s prediction about vertical gardening in urban areas with limited space? Some fads stick around, and others, such as the Victorian-era fern manis, don’t. However, these trends all share a desire to connect more acutely with nature and improve the planet’s well-being. Removing front lawns in favour of wildflower meadows that attract pollinators is a perfect example of our heightened awareness of the importance of biodiversity and conservation during human-caused climate change. While some gardening trends are a product of their historical moment, others have stood the test of time by evolving and finding ways to remain relevant.

Pteridomania: Fern Madness

The Latin word for ferns, pterido, paired with mania, describes Victorian-era gardeners’ obsession with gathering, studying and displaying ferns. Unlike flowering plants, ferns reproduce through

rope during the First and Second World Wars to cope with massive labour and transportation shortages. Governments at home to help ease the burden on the food system and boost all the produce eaten in the United States was grown by home to cope with today’s social and climate issues. Modern-day Victory self-sufcommunities food security and help us tackle climate change by reducing food

In caring for this miniature tree or shrub, a deeper awareness of a plant’s growth cycles and environmental influences on living organisms is developed

Bonsai

Bonsai gardening involves cultivating and shaping miniature trees in containers to mimic nature. Originating in ancient China, the trend migrated to Japan in the 6th century, which is now the world centre of Bonsai gardening. Bonsai alters a plant’s natural growth patterns by pinching buds, pruning, and wiring branches. Those who practice this ongoing gardening trend say it takes meticulous detail and patience. In caring for this miniature tree or shrub, a deeper awareness of a plant’s growth cycles and environmental influences on living organisms is developed, further enhancing the belief that humans should exist harmoniously alongside nature rather than dominating it. Besides, who doesn’t love living artwork?

Houseplants

The desire for houseplants reached new heights in 1973 when New York Magazine printed an article: “New Plant Shops in Town” and gave honourable mention to philodendrons, rubber plants, dieffenbachia, and orchids as exotic and easy-to-grow choices for eager plant owners. It sent baby boomers into a buying frenzy. And while this fad may have inspired my aunt’s windowsill of cyclamen, millennials and Gen Zs are taking it to new heights. Since the start of the global pandemic, sales of houseplants have surged. One survey found that two-thirds of nurseries in the U.S. increased their sale of houseplants by 15% in 2020. Caring for houseplants has been credited as a source of therapy that improves our mental well-being.

Rock Gardens

In the early 20th century, rock gardens were all the rage. People bought rocks for their size and colour. Magazines like the Gardener’s Chronicle of America wrote articles on how to grow alpine plants in a rockery and how to construct a backyard rock garden, either formally with meticulously placed rocks or haphazardly mimicking nature. Fast-forward several years, and rock gardens are again popular for their thermal mass, allowing gardeners to extend their seasons when growing food crops or Mediterranean plants in cooler climates. Planting succulents between rocks helps prevent soil erosion and water consumption during drought.

Many gardening trends have stood the test of time by evolving and finding ways to remain relevant. As the world grapples with climate change and biodiversity loss, gardening will surely see the emergence (or reemergence!) of more gardening fads that strive to create a stronger union between humans and the natural world. In the meantime, don’t forget to play some tunes for your plants. 3

Sources

• The History and Philosophy of Bonsai Gardening | Live to Plant (livetoplant.com/the-history-and-philosophy-of-bonsai-gardening)

• Definition and meaning of Bonsai - Bonsai Empire (bonsaiempire.com/origin/what-is-bonsai)

• Pteridomania: The Victorian Craze for Collecting Ferns - Encyclopedia of Design (encyclopedia.design)

• Pteridomania - Fern Madness (historic-uk.com/CultureUK/Pteridomania-Fern-Madness)

• Monstera Mania: Why the Rare Houseplant Craze Isn’t Going Away - Modern Farmer (modernfarmer.com/2021/09/rare-houseplants-craze)

• A Look Back at Plant and Garden Trends Through the Decades - Sunset (sunset.com)

• Blooming and booming - Garden Center (gardencentermag.com/article/blooming-and-booming-houseplant-report)

• The History of Rock Gardening in North America | North American Rock Garden Society (nargs.org)

• When America Was Crazy About Rock Gardens (npr.org)

Local Growers

WHO’S GROWING WHAT WHERE

Chris Maynard, AKA “Happy Mush Chris’ Winchester, England

Based in Winchester, Hampshire, Chris is what many would call a “fungalist.” While the term isn’t standard scientific terminology (unlike “mycologist”, which refers to professional fungi researchers), it’s a popular way to describe a deep interest and expertise in mushrooms and fungi. Similar to how someone might call themselves an “herbalist” or “aquarist,” “fungalist” captures Chris’s all-consuming passion for the fungal world.

Like others with the same obsession, Chris’s phone has photos of stunning, colourful, and magical mushrooms. But his enthusiasm goes far beyond photography! He and his partner, Jon, run Myndful Mushrooms, a small farm producing potent dual-extract tinctures from carefully cultivated fungi. At Jolly Moon Farm, this dynamic duo grows hundreds of kilograms of gourmet and functional mushrooms, with Lion’s Mane as their flagship strain, followed by native UK oyster varieties. Their mission is to unlock people’s minds to the incredible benefits of fungi.

Beyond commercial production, Chris and Jon generously share their knowledge through workshops, teaching others how to grow lowtech mushrooms such as wine caps in allotments and oyster totems. Chris regularly ventures into the New Forest, camera in hand, documenting his wild fungal discoveries. His expertise has expanded to include truffle hunting, with Tinker, his new canine companion, currently training to sniff out these prized underground treasures.

Throughout 2023, the partners invested heavily in research and development, building their farm infrastructure and consulting with experts before launching their tincture line in February 2024. Their hard work paid off when they were invited to hold a residency at Eweleaze Boutique Campsite last summer, where they delivered daily talks to over 5,000 guests, spreading the mushroom gospel to receptive audiences.

in the UK & Ireland

Committed to their values of helping others, Chris and Jon enrolled in 2025 in “Exploring the Healing Potential of Medicinal Mushrooms,” a course developed with the UK & Ireland Mycotherapy Practitioners Register. This dedication to continuous learning reflects their genuine desire to bridge traditional wisdom with modern understanding, sharing the therapeutic potential of fungi with their growing community.

myndfulmushrooms.co.uk @myndful.mushrooms

Would you like to be featured as one of our local growers? If you’ve got a garden, grow room, or farm and have a story to share, contact us at: growers@gardenculturemagazine.com

Dan Clark, AKA ‘Geordie Grower’ Newcastle upon Tyne, England

Despite being relatively small, England has an astonishingly large number of districts with unique accents, cultural traits, and climate variations. Dan, better known on social media as Geordie Grower, demonstrates how to grow food in the cooler climate of Newcastle upon Tyne. Dan says, “If you’re from Newcastle, you’re a Geordie!”

Dan emphasises the importance of considering your growing context. Newcastle, in North East England (Zone 9a), is colder than much of the country, requiring a different approach to gardening. Shorter growing seasons and warmth-loving plants need adaptation, with frost risks extending later in spring and appearing earlier in autumn. Dan shares this localised knowledge on his YouTube channel.

His growing journey began like many others: lockdown gave him more time outdoors. The universe presented him with a quarterplot allotment, and after investing considerable effort, he was also offered a full plot with more sun and an existing greenhouse. Without overthinking, he embraced the opportunity wholeheartedly. Three years later, the space transformed into a thriving, productive garden. The dramatic before-and-after transformation was featured in a Gardeners’ World episode.

Dan’s allotment showcases an impressive cold frame made from reclaimed conservatory windows, a 4-bay compost system built from old pallets, two greenhouses (including one underground, of which he’s very proud!), and various fruit trees. Beyond plants, he cultivates gourmet mushrooms like wine caps and oysters. He’s installed a clever deep plastic border extending one foot underground to prevent perennial, rhizomatous weeds like bindweed, nettles, and ivy from invading his plot.

Dan credits childhood heroes Steve Irwin and David Attenborough, whom he watched with his father, with influencing his environmental consciousness. Sustainability remains central to his approach—waste is avoided at all costs. Almost everything is repurposed: cardboard becomes mushroom food or weed suppressant, while vegetable scraps turn into cooking stock or worm food.

“This is not fixing the world,” Dan says. “But I can sleep better knowing I’ve done my bit.”

His 2025 project involves modifying his greenhouse to remain above freezing during winter, which is challenging without gas or electricity so far north. He welcomes suggestions through his social channels! Beyond his plot, Dan contributes to Restaurant Pine’s menu, growing fresh, seasonal produce in their gardens. His Instagram documents his daily growing journey, from crop experiments to preparation methods. He highlights cooperation with local people, like the carpenter who donates wood shavings for mushroom cultivation, demonstrating how a circular economy involves the entire community. 3

Geordiegrower

Geordiegrower

Gardeners’ World segment: youtu.be/hm_lsbR2nGs

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Tech Keeps Environments in Check

Feeling overwhelmed by the unlimited possibilities out there when it comes to implementing technology in your grow room or outdoor garden? We feel you. That’s why we’re simplifying things by going straight to the source for information. Garden Culture Magazine is proud to have an incredible lineup of seasoned growers and experts as regular contributors. From high-tech to low-tech, we asked some of them to share their favourite tools and gadgets that help keep their growing environments in check!

1 Sensors, Probes, and Meters

What’s an avid gardener to choose in a world driven by technology? Colin Bell, PhD, doesn’t limit himself to one or two; he’s got a lineup of basic gadgets that help him achieve optimal results in the grow room. He starts with temperature and humidity sensors, which you’ll learn many of our expert writers can’t live without (see below!). Colin also uses pH and soil moisture probes to help keep his plants on track. Measuring pH in the garden is essential; knowing your range will help you select the right plants and them better absorb nutrients. Moisture probes are handy because your soil is never as moist or dry as you think, helping you avoid under-or-overwatering. Finally, Colin loves his PAR meter, which measures light intensity from the sun or indoor lights. Are your plants getting enough light for photosynthesis and healthy growth? The naked eye can’t tell you that, but a PAR meter can.

2

Autopots

Garden Culture’s president, Eric Coulombe, is an accomplished grower who has extensively tested various products and gadgets. One of his favourites is a low-tech tool: the Autopot system. “When I say Autopot system, I mainly refer to the valve. Whether you have one plant or a thousand, it automatically controls water flow based on your plants’ needs, rather than relying on timers or electricity,” Eric says. Simple-to-use, Autopots are the perfect eco-friendly irrigation solution for hydroponics, indoor soil cultivation, or greenhouses. Plants are gravity-fed from a tank or water barrel, eliminating the need for constant attention. Remember our article featuring Eric’s incredible yield of eight pounds of turmeric? That was achieved with a 3.8-gallon Autopot! “There are pot sizes and configurations for any sized plant, and now, with the Tray 2 Grow system, you can grow sprouts, potted plants, or even a 23-gallon planter,” he says. “I have been growing in different Autopot systems for 20 years, and I recommend it for all avid gardeners. Eight pounds of turmeric, anyone?

Read more about growing turmeric in Autopots:

Infrared Thermometers 3

Daily inspections of the garden and grow room are crucial for detecting pests, diseases, or other issues before they become significant problems for your plants. But there are certain things your eyes can’t detect, which is why our Gareth Hopcroft loves an infrared thermometer for measuring leaf surface temperature. “Monitoring leaf temperature is crucial for understanding whether a plant is transpiring at a healthy rate,” he says. “Ideally, the leaf temperature should be 1–3°C lower than the surrounding air temperature. This is especially useful in LED grow rooms, where leaf temperatures often run too low. An infrared thermometer is also the only reliable tool for accurately calculating Vapour Pressure Deficit (VPD).” VPD is also related to photosynthesis, nutrient uptake, and stress levels, so understanding and managing it is vital to the overall plant health, leading to better yields and less water waste.

Keeping it Old-School 5

We’re all for lazy summer days, but in the sun’s heat, our minds inevitably turn to our gardens and quenching their thirst. Mulching, composting, and other techniques will help lock in moisture, allowing you to get back to your lazy ways. Gadgets can help, too, even the old-school ones! Garden Culture’s Haley Nagasaki takes a set-itand-forget-it approach when it comes to her garden’s irrigation needs. “I love a good old-fashioned hose and sprinkler timer for the garden,” she says. “It’s super simple, and when I’m away, I don’t have to worry about drought.” It doesn’t have to be pricey; many affordable options are available, and most models enable you to customise the watering duration and frequency for your plants. With watering taken care of, you can focus on other garden tasks and quenching your own thirst. Cheers! 3

Plant Leaf Sensors 4

Regular Garden Culture contributor Adam Clarke can’t help but agree with Gareth; understanding leaf activity is at the top of his priority list, and there’s one product he can’t live without at Galiano Grow House, where he produces food and medicinal plants year-round. “The Aranet wireless IR plant leaf sensor allows us to monitor precisely what is happening at the leaf surface to determine transpiration from the plant and maintain a much healthier environment for plant health,” he says. The Aranet plant leaf sensor is wireless and features an adjustable arm, enabling a high accuracy rate with its dew point and VPD calculations. The battery lasts up to ten years! No wonder Adam loves it so much. “This is very likely one of my favourite industry technologies to use.” Check out Adam’s article in this edition for an in-depth look at wireless and wired sensors.