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helomech
01-02-2012, 02:21 AM
What are some good things I can grow in my temporary aquaponics system? I think Turnips do good in winter, but don't have a clue about anything else.

TroubleShooter
01-02-2012, 02:59 AM
Winter wheat? Feed the fish or grind your own flour

LUNCHBOX
01-02-2012, 05:00 AM
Peppers, I was still pulling some off my plants in Nov/Dec. Its been to wet to plow/turn it over.

realist
01-02-2012, 06:08 AM
If you are looking at root crops take a look at beets, carrots and maybe radishes.

helomech
01-02-2012, 12:08 PM
Cool thanks guys keep the ideas coming. Pretty much anything wil grow in aquaponics, except potatoes don't do real good.

Evolver
01-02-2012, 12:54 PM
What growing zone are you in and will your system be frost free?

helomech
01-02-2012, 11:11 PM
What growing zone are you in and will your system be frost free?

I don't know. I am in east Texas about 2 hours north of Houston. We do have some frosts, but not usually bad. A couple times a year it will get to the teens for a day or so. I have never had a garden before, so I don't know a darn thing. My wife did go to walmart this afternoon and bought everything they had that was for this time of year.

Seven top Turnip
Icicle, short top radish
Cherry Belle Radish
Alaska Peas
Melting sugar peas
Bolero Peas

bacpacker
01-03-2012, 01:13 AM
I would think anything in the cole family would work well. Cabbage, brocholi, brussel sprouts, etc. Also carrots, most any greens, lettuce, parsnips, rutabega's, turnips, onions, leeks, shallots.
If your running a greenhouse over the aquaponics system, you can prolly grow many other crops in it thru the winter as well.

helomech
01-03-2012, 01:25 AM
Thanks bacpacker. No greenhouse on these temporary grow beds. But when my system is complete it will have a green house. These 2 grow beds I have set up right now, or just to keep my fish tank clean, and if something grows than great. I have to keep water in my fish tank, or risk it popping out of the ground. And I don't want it to get all nasty, so these grow beds should keep it clean.

Sniper-T
01-03-2012, 12:10 PM
...My wife did go to walmart this afternoon and bought everything they had that was for this time of year...


Icicle, short top radish

I don't know what the radish has to do with anything... but we can grow icicles up here this time of year:

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt140/Sniper-T/NFLD/nfldday6233.jpg

:)


Just make sure you have something to cover your garden with in case it does go down to frost levels. (old bedsheets, tarps etc.)

helomech
01-03-2012, 12:21 PM
Too cold for me. I never heard of the icicle radish either. But they look just like the pic above.

Evolver
01-03-2012, 12:36 PM
Your probably in hardiness zone 8 right between 8a and 8b. So now is a good time to start seeds indoors for planting in late winter and early spring: broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, kale, lettuce. Tomato, pepper and eggplant seed should be started in late January for transplanting in March.

Here is a link to a East Texas Garden Calender. Monthly Garden Calendar (http://easttexasgardening.tamu.edu/homegardens/Monthly/calendar.html)

helomech
01-03-2012, 07:58 PM
Thanks Evolver, trying to learn all I can.

ravensgrove
01-04-2012, 04:24 AM
All your cold weather roots, brasillicas and greens should be ok.....

helomech
01-04-2012, 03:10 PM
Great thanks.

Evolver
01-04-2012, 10:54 PM
Your welcome Helo. This time of year in our zones the soil temp are too low for good seed germination and root growth so it's best to start seeds inside now then put in the ground after last frost in Feb/Mar depending on variety. That link that I posted is a good fail safe gardening guide to follow.

Evolver
01-04-2012, 11:15 PM
Also... In Feb/Mar you should start seeing Berry plants available at your local garden stores so keep your eye out. :)

helomech
01-05-2012, 12:31 AM
Cool thanks, I am not worried about ground frost these are going to be grown in my aquaponics system. So the water will stay above freezing.

Sniper-T
01-05-2012, 12:36 AM
Awesome Helo... looking forward to pics of your progress.

helomech
01-05-2012, 01:44 AM
Thanks Sniper. I am offshore right now, hoping I have some sprouts when I get home next week.

izzyscout21
01-05-2012, 01:23 PM
Nice helo. I hope all your projects turn out for you.

helomech
01-05-2012, 01:29 PM
Thanks, I will get it up and running. Just going to take a few grand, especially when I go to put it on solar and wind power.

ravensgrove
01-05-2012, 03:22 PM
solar....drool.....