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Lesson Overview
Goals
- Students will be able to describe the limitations of the ZipGrow tower design.
Outcomes
Teach the Teacher
Tools & Materials
- Assembled ZipGrow tower
Activity
Imagine carrots on a plane, well a vertical plane that is. Vertical hydroponic systems offer a ton of freedom but there are still certain varieties that are a challenge to grow hydroponically.
Leafy greens, herbs, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, and berries are common crops for hydroponic cultivation. What you don’t see often in the Lab are potatoes, carrots, parsnips, beets, and other root vegetables.
The design of the vertical towers doesn’t offer the room needed for root crop development. Plus, there is the constant contact with the nutrient solution.
What would it take to grow root vegetables hydroponically? What modifications would need to be made to the ZipGrow towers to accommodate larger root crops like carrots or beets? What type of media would be best?
Related Lessons
Give the Advanced lesson a try now that you’ve completed the Intermediate Lesson! Or revisit the Beginner Lesson as needed.
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